Tokyo Metropolitan Government Provides Subsidies for 'Barrier-Free' City Initiatives
With the depreciation of the yen causing a surge in inbound tourists to Japan, recently, customized tourism products for people with disabilities or the elderly who have difficulty moving, known as 'barrier-free' tourism, are gaining attention. The strategy is to create an environment that anyone can enjoy, significantly increasing the satisfaction of tourists visiting Japan.
'Barrier-Free Tourism' photo conducted by Japanese travel agency Kinki Nippon Tourist. (Photo by Kinki Nippon Tourist)
On the 4th, Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported that barrier-free tourism products are rapidly increasing, centered around Japanese travel agencies and tourism associations. The travel company Kinki Nippon Tourist conducted a day-trip hot spring tour last month for people with artificial anus implants.
Considering that people with artificial anus implants hesitate to use public baths due to concerns about fecal leakage and others' gazes, the company prepared a dedicated space starting from the changing room to reduce psychological burden. Additionally, they partnered with a medical device company to attach waterproof stickers with medical device functions, allowing participants to bathe with peace of mind. A woman in her 40s who participated told Nikkei, "Being able to enter a public bath made me feel warm not only physically but also emotionally."
Another travel agency in Tokyo has started an electric wheelchair rental service targeting inbound tourists. The purpose is to provide smooth transportation for people who were reluctant to travel long distances due to mobility difficulties.
Efforts are continuing not only in the private sector but also at the local government level. Tokyo Metropolitan Government created and implemented a tour in 2022-2023 that allows people with mobility difficulties to enjoy the scenery of island areas by remotely controlling drones. The response was quite positive, and from this year, they plan to continue this as a private consignment project.
Tokyo is actively supporting barrier-free tourism, such as subsidizing up to 90% of the costs when lodging facilities renovate rooms to accommodate wheelchair users by reducing stair steps. Last year, Tokyo supported 40 locations and paid 520 million yen (4.6 billion KRW). Targeting the international sports event for the hearing impaired to be held in Tokyo next year, they also plan to provide subsidies for installing equipment that alerts fire alarms through lights or bed vibrations.
In Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, famous for its hot spring towns near Tokyo, the local government has created and is distributing for free a 'Hakone Travel Tourism Map for Wheelchair Users.' They also regularly conduct caregiving training by professional guides to respond immediately when assistance is needed. Appreciated for these efforts, Hakone was selected as number one in the Business & Marketing category of the 'Top 100 Sustainable Tourism Destinations in the World' in March.
Attention is also being paid to whether the revised Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, implemented by the Japanese government since last month, can create synergy. The Japanese government had imposed an obligation of effort on private businesses to provide reasonable accommodations to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities, but the revision changed this to a legal obligation.
Nikkei added, "According to a survey announced last year by the Japan Tourism Agency, what people with disabilities most want when traveling is consideration from store clerks," and "To be chosen by customers, not only hardware improvements but also genuine heartfelt barrier-free attitudes must be established."
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