Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� December, 2002

Second Meeting of the Headquarters for Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons Tuesday, December 24, 2002 The second meeting of the Headquarters for Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, approval was granted to the new "Basic Plan for the Disabled" to take effect from FY2003 and to last for ten years. In addition, the "Five-Year Plan for the Implementation of Priority Measures" outlining the priority items for implementation during the first five years was adopted. Under the new "Basic Plan for the Disabled," measures will be advanced from a cross-sectional perspective, such as the promotion of barrier-free environments in both soft and hard aspects and the provision of assistance that corresponds to the needs of users, aiming to realize a cooperative society in which the character and individuality of all people are respected and in which people support each other. Measures for priority implementation include the prevention of diseases, accidents and other causes of disability, treatment and rehabilitation as well as the promotion of research and development for welfare equipment and universal design of products. In addition to these measures, efforts will be made to create a community foundation for independent life. Addressing the meeting, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stated, "It is essential that we enhance measures to improve the capacity of persons with disabilities and to further extend barrier-free environments in all areas of society."