Hello! Anyone in Japan?

[xjapan991]

Konnichiwa! Hello!
I'm new here, finally joined.
I'm a wheelchair user, based in Japan, Tokyo.
Hope we can have chances to chat sometime!

[feelsunshine]

Hello from Germany,
good you found us here. Enjoy!

[manicpixiememegirl]

Welcome from Canada!

[Deleted]

Hello and welcome from Germany again!

I don't know if or how many of your compatriots are already here.
But as new members are joining every day and we are pretty multicultural, your chances are quite promising, I think.

[Deleted]

Welcome from a German in the USA...I don't think we had anyone from Japan before or at least no one who is active here. It would be interesting to get to know you and how life for disabled persons is in Japan. What is your disability?

[medman]

Hi xjapan991
Welcome to the board I am very new here as well .
I have only been here a little while and was made to feal welcome from everyone here there are a nice group of people here .
I have talked to a ham radio operator a few years back . For a ham that is one of the toughest places to contact .
So lay back and jump in when you want .

[xjapan991]

Feb 9, 2020 18:01:30 GMT -5 Dani said:

Welcome from a German in the USA...I don't think we had anyone from Japan before or at least no one who is active here. It would be interesting to get to know you and how life for disabled persons is in Japan. What is your disability?

Thank you Dani! Tokyo accessibility is not bad and Olympics is pushing some improvements.
I was born with a congenital problem in my lower limbs, so I use wheelchair.

[blueskye101]

Welcome!

[Deleted]

hi! I hope I am not necro'ing this thread, but if I am, please feel free to let me know.

I'm writing was curious about your experiences living in japan and regarding accessibility (especially in kantō) as it is not a perspective that seems often represent on pd, with many people coming from ~ the west ~. i've spent some time studying abroad in japan and am far from the expert on accessibility issues, but my outsider's impression is that it is not great, never mind the stigma people with disabilities face in everyday japanese life. if you don't mind my asking, were you born/raised in the culture or have you been living in tokyo for a period?

I remember feeling very disheartened by observing and listening in on how people with disabilities were treated; when I encountered pwd on public transit accompanied by parents or stares and scrutiny meted out by strangers. it seems to really enhance the social barriers that are already difficult to crack in entering into a new space. i always also found it odd that there are so many j-dramas, manga, etc. that treat disability as a primary if not secondary theme and feature disabled characters, yet this cultural focus does not seem to translate to much awareness or advocacy on the part of many AB folks.

do you find that acceptance is more possible in tokyo than in other regions, even than in the slightly more traditional regions in kansai? my initial impression is that it would be true, especially with the sheer number of communities that exist in across the city. in any case, would like to hear your insights if you are comfortable with sharing them!

[xjapan991]

Hi! I guess you are not here and I'm replying late, but follow my comments for those interested about Japan:

I was born in another country until my late 20's, then I moved alone to Japan, here for over 7 years. I guess Japan is not bad for wheelchair users. The accessibility is good and you can even see some wheelchair users around, taking trains alone, going to work, etc.
I visited Netherlands recently and I was surprise that they actually don't have a good structure for wheelchair users. I had an issue in a station that had elevator broken and no one came to fix or give support. Luckily, I have some mobility and I could move myself somehow with arms.

I guess the best and most accessible place in Japan is Tokyo. You will find 95% of stations accessible and ready to assist you. Tokyo is barrier free, you don't have trouble going outside. I think the inconvenience are the stores or traditional restaurants that aren't accessible at all.

[Blindhapa]

I was born in Japan but left when I was very small. I have been back a few times on business, mostly Tokyo, Kobe, and Kyoto. I have always been struck by how accommodating people are there, and extremely respectful. I have forgotten most of my Japanese language skills, but going back gives me the opportunity to practice.

[blindLeap]

Hello from the Netherlands. You're not wrong; accessibility here can be extremely hit and miss for all sorts of disabilities. Practically every train here has some serious steps to climb, and you need to essentially book assistance a couple hours in advance so they can come get you with a ramp. Some trains have been altered so they are at least mostly flush with the top of the platform, but it's very much still a work in progress and there's almost no impetus, because there are no national laws for accessibility, only ones on the EU-level that are ...somewhat enforced, but only in the sense that you get a stern talking to if you don't abide by them. So the only damage a company gets for being inaccessible is a bit of bad press, most of the time.
Anyway, I know I'm a bit late to this, but paradevo-e yokoso I don't have my Japanese keyboard handy so forgive me the cardinal sin of writing in romaji

[xjapan991]

Jan 12, 2022 19:07:24 GMT -5 blindLeap said:

Hello from the Netherlands. You're not wrong; accessibility here can be extremely hit and miss for all sorts of disabilities. Practically every train here has some serious steps to climb, and you need to essentially book assistance a couple hours in advance so they can come get you with a ramp. Some trains have been altered so they are at least mostly flush with the top of the platform, but it's very much still a work in progress and there's almost no impetus, because there are no national laws for accessibility, only ones on the EU-level that are ...somewhat enforced, but only in the sense that you get a stern talking to if you don't abide by them. So the only damage a company gets for being inaccessible is a bit of bad press, most of the time.
Anyway, I know I'm a bit late to this, but paradevo-e yokoso I don't have my Japanese keyboard handy so forgive me the cardinal sin of writing in romaji      

Fantastic feedback, thank you!
There's a chance I visit Amsterdam again later this year, do you know if there's any way as foreigner we can book this assistance by phone or online in advance? 

[blindLeap]

You'll want to give this a read: www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/traveling-with-a-functional-disability/assistance-while-travelling.html
Should give you all you need

[devogirl]

A very interesting podcast on living in Japan as a foreigner with a visual impairment:
www.japankyo.com/2020/02/japan-station-podcast-blindness-japan/