Ministry Planning To Fine Itself

[Mulboyne]

Almost helpful

TMC: Gov't drafts barrier-free bill toughening fines for lawbreakers
The Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry has drafted a new bill to promote building barrier-free communities with a view to toughen measures against those who do not follow official standards, ministry sources said Saturday...The bill for promoting the smooth movement of the elderly and the disabled will increase the maximum fine to which those who do not obey local governments' orders to improve their facilities would be subject from 1 million yen under an existing law to 3 million yen...The new bill is meant to unify two existing laws that call for making buildings such as hospitals and hotels as well as public transportation facilities barrier-free, and will also urge disability improvements to be made to broader parts of communities such as roads and parks, the sources said...more...

[Mulboyne]

The picture above still is the best example of an unhelpful feature but this escalator also seems pretty pointless:

[Taro Toporific]

This picture looks like the new escalator at Omotesando which is especially pointless because there are FIVE steps I have to go up on crutches before I can use this nano-escalator or the ramp next to it. Arrrg.
I think there was a sale on nanotech escalators for the past couple of years.

... this escalator also seems pretty pointless:

[omae mona]

This picture looks like the new escalator at Omotesando which is especially pointless because there are FIVE steps I have to go up on crutches before I can use this nano-escalator or the ramp next to it. Arrrg.

I can confirm the existence of this retarded escalator. Our jaws dropped simultaneously when my wife and I saw it the first time.

[Mulboyne]

Kyodo: Electric disability scooters to be accepted on Shinkansen
Central Japan Railway Co. and West Japan Railway Co. are considering accepting electric disability scooters in their new Shinkansen bullet train compartments to be introduced next spring, informed sources said Sunday. The train operators will enlarge compartments and restrooms for the use of physically handicapped people so they will be able to accept such scooters, the sources said. JR companies do not currently allow such scooters on Shinkansen or express trains because of their wide turning radius and heavy weight.