Wednesday, November 26, 2008

5th Meeting of the Central Council on Promotion of Measures for Persons with Disabilities

Prime Minister Taro Aso attended the 5th meeting of the Central Council on Promotion of Measures for Persons with Disabilities at the Prime Minister's Office.

The Council is established to hear opinions from persons with disabilities, social welfare operators and academics, in order to prepare and amend a draft for the Basic Plan for Persons with Disabilities, designed to promote policies related to the welfare of persons with disabilities and the prevention of disabilities. At the meeting, discussion took place on, among other matters, the progress of deliberations concerning measures for persons with disabilities.

At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Aso said, "For a strong and bright Japan, what is essential is a society of mutual cooperation, in which all the people acknowledge, respect and live alongside each other regardless of the existence of any disabilities. To this end, the Government is carrying out various efforts such as the Five-Year Implementation Plan for Priority Measures, which includes livelihood support for persons with disabilities and measures to realize barrier-free living environments. I expect the Council to play an important role in leading the debate on measures for persons with disabilities."