Yasuhiko Funago (left) and Eiko Kimura (right), severely disabled candidates won seats in Japan's upper house vote. (Reuters via Strait Times)

Japan: Two Severely-Disabled Candidates Win Seats in Upper House Vote

Kinanty Nadia Putri
Politics & Economic
News Flash Japan
Jul 22, 2019
2307
Japan is signing a changing attitude toward disabled people with the victory of Yasuhiko Funago and Eiko Kimura—two candidates with severe disabilities from a small opposition party, Reiwa Shinsengumi—in Japan’s upper house vote on Sunday (7/21).

According to the data, people with physical and intellectual disability account for about 8% of the total population in Japan. Since 2016, the Japanese government has implemented a law that requires offering the disable people with reasonable accommodation to meet their needs. The law was adopted from the ‘UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities’ that Japan ratified in 2014.

Despite the improved laws, disabled people in Japan are still facing stigma and shame.

Therefore, sending disabled politicians to the parliament is extremely important to represent the community and can effectively advance disability-related policies in the country, the head of Reiwa Shinsengumi Taro Yamamoto said.

Funago, 61, has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) which makes him unable to move his arms and legs, nor can he speak without assistance. While Kimura, 54, has cerebral palsy. During their campaign, both candidates pledged to seek education reforms to help create a society where people with disabilities can lead better lives.

When asked about her biggest drive to run for the parliament, Kimura said that the tough situations faced by disabled people have touched her heart and prompted her to work hard to change something about it.

Yamamoto also added that there will be specialists to accompany and take care of the two candidates. However, the parliament will also be responsible to provide reasonable accommodation as required by the laws.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-election-disabled/two-severely-disabled-candidates-win-seats-in-japan-upper-house-vote-idUSKCN1UG0KC

Japan , Election , Politics , Disability , UpperHouse , Asia