Support for choosing where to live
The committee urged Japan to strengthen personal assistance, user-led budgets and accessible housing. It also sought an end to restrictions on assistance at work. Its recommendations addressed support needed to choose where and with whom to live, including for people with high support requirements. [1]
Disabled people took part in the review
Kiyoshi Harada, who attended on behalf of Japanese disability organisations, reported that more than 100 civil-society participants travelled to Geneva. Organisations submitted alternative reports and briefed committee members. Around 1,000 people subsequently attended a Japan Disability Forum debriefing with committee vice-chair Jonas Ruškus. [3]
Organisations seek continuing dialogue
In its December response, the Japan Disability Forum said many of its proposals were reflected in the recommendations. It urged the government to maintain regular exchanges with civil society and began work on an action plan. The forum highlighted education, community living and an independent national human-rights institution.