“The law does not clearly define what exactly constitutes discrimination,” said Kiyoshi Harada, an official at the secretariat of Japan Disability Forum. On 1 April 2016, a new Japanese law came into effect, banning “unjust discrimination” against people with disabilities, and requiring government agencies and private sector businesses to make “reasonable adjustments” to remove social barriers for the nation’s 7.8m people with impairments. The Law to Eliminate Discrimination against People with Disabilities is the first action by the Japanese Government to align its domestic laws with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In response to this law, Japan has taken several steps towards eliminating discrimination in employment and public accommodations. A review of the law is planned for 2019, however in the meantime, the Japan Disability Forum is calling for independent oversight.
On 1 April 2016, a new Japanese law came into effect, banning “unjust discrimination” against people with disabilities, and requiring government agencies and private sector businesses to make “reasonable adjustments” to remove social barriers for the nation’s 7.8m people with impairments. The Law to Eliminate Discrimination against People with Disabilities is the first action by the Japanese Government to align its domestic laws with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. In response to this law, Japan has taken several steps towards eliminating discrimination in employment and public accommodations. A review of the law is planned for 2019, however in the meantime, the Japan Disability Forum is calling for independent oversight.