Reiwa lawmakers “driving force” for barrier-free promotion: Koike

July 26, 2019

Tokyo--Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike on Friday praised the recent election of two candidates with severe disabilities to the House of Councillors as "a driving force" in promoting barrier-free environments.

"It has given a boost equivalent to two to three decades of discussions (on accessibility)," Koike told a press conference. "It's a great driving force in the switch from discussion to execution."

In Sunday's election, the two wheelchair-bound members of new political party Reiwa Shinsengumi won seats in the upper chamber of the Diet, Japan's parliament.

The Upper House on Thursday decided to ease regulations and renovate its facilities for the two.

Planned changes include alterations to chamber facilities to accommodate reclining wheelchairs and allowing caregivers to vote as proxies. Jiji Press