Japanese society once kept people with physical disabilities out of sight, but no more. It's becoming more common now to see people in wheelchairs taking trains or otherwise going about their business in Japan's increasingly barrier-free cities.
In "37 Seconds," the first feature by singled-named director Hikari (formerly Mitsuyo Miyazaki), the protagonist with a physical disability may have more autonomy than she would have had a generation ago, but still faces formidable challenges in her quest for independence, adulthood and answers about her past.
Played by Mei Kayama, a first-time actress who has cerebral palsy, 23-year-old Yuma is immature and naive when we first meet her, but also driven to experience the dangers and delights of the world outside the safe bubble her devoted, anxious mother has constructed for her.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.