Disabled person in Okayama sues government and demands self-support law be repealed

Japan Press Weekly

Japan Press Service Co., Ltd. is the only news agency providing information of progressive, democratic movements in Japan

Disabled person in Okayama sues government and demands self-support law be repealed

A 61-year-old man with disability has sued the government claiming that it is unconstitutional to require disabled persons to pay for services they receive under the so-called "self-support" act.

The Constitution provides that all Japanese citizens are equal under the law and that everyone has an equal right to live.

On August 25, the man, accompanied by 30 supporters on wheelchairs or with guide dogs, arrived at the Okayama District Court to file the lawsuit.

The lawsuit is the third of this kind and follows the concerted legal actions in October 2008 and April this year. He is the 63^rd plaintiff in these lawsuits.

At the news conference, the man said, "I had to pay 21,800 yen for the repair of my wheelchair. It is unreasonable that we are forced to pay the costs to enable us to move ourselves outside or in the house. I call for the self-support act to be repealed."

A woman with impaired vision, who is supporting the lawsuit, said, "We will do all we can to revoke the unconstitutional principle of requiring disabled persons to shoulder the excessively heavy burden of costs to receive help in daily living.

The chief defense lawyer in the lawsuit stated, "We are determined to win a ruling that the handicapped persons' self-support law is in violation of fundamental human rights as well as the Constitution. We hope that this court struggle will help to increase the effort to build a society that will enable people with disabilities to enjoy life without undue difficulties."

- Akahata, August 26, 2009