Transportation Minister Toshihiro Nikai and Posts and Telecommunications Minister Eita Yashiro visited a train station in Tokyo's Kita Ward Tuesday to get the feel of a barrier-free society.
At JR Akabane Station, one of Japan's most advanced barrier-free facilities, a wheelchair-bound Yashiro tried his hand riding buses, using vending machines for the blind, taking elevators from the platform to the ticket gate, and using bathrooms equipped for wheelchairs.
"For the disabled and elderly, 'mobility' is crucial for taking part in society," Yashiro said. "I would like to give credit to the Transportation Ministry, JR and bus companies for the efforts they made."
The Transportation Ministry has submitted a bill to promote a barrier-free society to the current Diet session.
Meanwhile, a council of government ministers decided Tuesday to put together by mid-May a package of measures to make it easier for the elderly and disabled to use public facilities, government officials said.
In an opening statement at the inaugural meeting of the council, which includes the education, health and welfare, and construction ministers, Chief Cabinet Secretary Mikio Aoki said, "To push forward a barrier-free system that would be comprehensive and effective in our society is a great task of the government."
The council was set up last Friday to look into ways to eliminate barriers faced by the elderly and the disabled in using facilities such as public transport.
The council also received reports on proposed measures from concerned ministries at its Tuesday meeting.