Act on Comprehensive and Integrated Promotion of Policies for the Realization of a Universal Society
Table of Contents
Chapter I General Provisions (Articles 1 through 6)
Chapter II Publication of the Status of Implementation of Policies for the Realization of a Universal Society (Article 7)
Chapter III Consideration in Formulating Policies for the Realization of a Universal Society (Articles 8 through 12)
Chapter IV Universal Society Promotion Council (Article 13)
Supplementary Provisions
Chapter I General Provisions
(Purpose)
Article 1  The purpose of this Act is to promote policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society in a comprehensive and integrated manner, through clarifying the responsibilities of the national government and other administrative entities regarding the promotion of those policies and measures, through making the implementation status of these policies and measures public, and through providing other necessary matters such as points to note when formulating those policies and measures, based on the principle that all citizens are to be respected as irreplaceable individuals entitled to equal enjoyment of fundamental human rights, regardless of their disability, their age, etc., and in consideration of the importance of ensuring the independent daily lives and lives in society of a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc.
(Definitions)
Article 2  In this Act, the meanings of the terms stated in the following items are as prescribed in those respective items:
(i) the term "universal society" means a society in which regardless of whether or not a person has a disability or is of any age, etc., each citizen is respected for their dignity as an equal member of society, and makes full use of their abilities by securing opportunities to participate in activities in all fields of society, thereby allowing each citizen to coexist with mutual support while respecting each other's personality and individuality.
(ii) the term "person with a disability, an elderly person, etc." means a person with a disability, an elderly person, or any other person who requires special consideration in their daily or social life because of their physical condition;
(iii) the term "policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society" means various policies and measures that are implemented with the aim of achieving the following particulars, taking into account international trends in the realization of a universal society, to ensure the independent daily lives and social lives of a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc., based on the premise that every person with a disability, an elderly person, etc., as individuals who enjoy fundamental human rights, are respected for their dignity and have the right to be guaranteed a life befitting that dignity:
(a) removing obstacles, systems, practices, ideas, and all other factors in society that stand as barriers to a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc. from leading their daily or social lives (referred to as "social barriers" in (e) and Article 10);
(b) ensuring opportunities for a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc. to fully realize their individuality and abilities and to participate in activities in all fields, including politics, the economy, education, culture and the arts, sports and other areas;
(c) ensuring that a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc. are able to live their lives safely and with peace of mind;
(d) ensuring that a person with a disability and an elderly person, etc. are able to smoothly acquire and use necessary information;
(e) ensuring that facilities, products, and other resources are made accessible to a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc. to prevent creation of social barriers.
(Responsibilities of the National Government)
Article 3  (1) The national government is responsible for promoting various policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society in a comprehensive and integrated manner.
(2) The relevant administrative organs of the national government must cooperate and coordinate with one another to promote the efficient and effective implementation of policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society.
(Responsibilities of Local Governments)
Article 4  Regarding the realization of a universal society, local governments are responsible for promoting policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society in a comprehensive and integrated manner, in coordination with the national government, according to the characteristics of their respective regions.
(Efforts by Business Operators and Citizens)
Article 5  Business operators and citizens must endeavor to contribute to the realization of a universal society in all fields including workplaces, schools, local communities, households, and other fields of society.
(Legislative Measures)
Article 6  (1) The national government must take any legislative, financial and other measures necessary to implement policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society.
(2) Local governments must endeavor to take necessary financial and other measures to implement policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society.
Chapter II Publication of the Implementation Status of Policies and Measures towards the Realization of a Universal Society
Article 7  Once every year, the government must compile and make public a report on the implementation status of the policies and measures it has taken, towards the realization of a universal society.
Chapter III Points to Consider in Formulating Policies and Measures Towards the Realization of a Universal Society
(Points to Consider in Formulating Policies and Measures Towards the Realization of a Universal Society)
Article 8  The national and local governments must give special consideration to the following particulars in formulating and implementing policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society:
(i) to improve and enhance educational content and methods to ensure that a person with a disability, and other persons who require special care in their daily or social life due to their physical condition, can receive adequate education tailored to their age and ability, while taking their individual characteristics into consideration;
(ii) to ensure diverse employment opportunities for a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc.;
(iii) to ensure convenience and safety in transportation and facility use for a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc. in order to support their independence and participation in activities in society, while taking town planning and other perspectives into account;
(iv) to facilitate access to language tools (including sign language) and other means of communication for a person with a disability, an elderly persons, etc., as well as ensuring the means to obtain and use information;
(v) to take necessary disaster prevention measures to enable a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc. to live their lives safely and with peace of mind;
(vi) to ensure that a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc. can vote smoothly in an election, national referendum, or poll conducted pursuant to the provisions of laws or Prefectural or Municipal Ordinances.
(Reflecting the Opinions of a Person with a Disability and an Elderly Person)
Article 9  When formulating and implementing policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society, the national and local governments must endeavor to take necessary measures to reflect the opinions of a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc.
(Promotion of Education and Learning Concerning the Realization of a Universal Society)
Article 10  Recognizing that it is essential to gain the understanding and cooperation of the citizens for achieving the realization of a universal society, the national and local governments are to take necessary measures to promote education and learning aimed at the realization of a universal society, such as experiential learning concerning social barriers, and to enhance public relations activities.
(Promotion of Facilities and Products That Are Easy to Use for a Person With a Disability and an Elderly Person
Article 11  The national and local governments are to take necessary measures for the realization of a universal society, including the promotion of facilities and products that are easy to use for a person with a disability, an elderly person, etc., the promotion of research and study, technological development, etc., and the dissemination of the results of that research and study, and take other necessary measures.
(Development of a System for Coordination and Cooperation)
Article 12  To comprehensively and integrally promote policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society, the national government must endeavor to develop a system for close coordination and cooperation among the national government, local governments, business operators, citizens, and other relevant parties.
Chapter IV Universal Society Promotion Council
Article 13  The government is to establish the Council for the Promotion of a Universal Society to promote policies and measures towards the realization of a universal society in a comprehensive and integrated manner, through coordination among the Cabinet Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and other relevant administrative organs.
Supplementary Provisions
(Effective Date)
(1) This Act comes into effect on the date of promulgation.
(Review)
(2) When three years have elapsed since the enforcement of this Act, the national government is to review the status of enforcement of this Act and take any necessary measures based on the results of the review.