43rd Session of the Human Rights Council ITEM 3 Interactive Dialogue with: Ms. Catalina D. Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities Statement by Mr. NAKAGOME Masashi (28 February 2020)
2020/7/21
ITEM 3 Interactive Dialogue with:
Ms. Catalina D. Aguilar, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities
Statement by Mr. NAKAGOME Masashi
Minister, Permanent Mission of Japan in Geneva
Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.
Ms. Aguilar,
Thank you for your presentation.
Japan is determined to achieve a harmonious, barrier-free society as a legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. By doing so, Japan aims to make our society barrier-free both in terms of the physical environment and in terms of societal attitudes. We refer to the latter as the concept of “barrier-free hearts and minds.”
This concept of “barrier-free hearts and minds” is about eliminating negative barriers entrenched in mind such as discrimination toward people with disabilities, and encouraging a whole of society to be aware of the need to remove social barriers against people with disabilities. It is up to all people—with their various physical and mental attributes as well as thought—to communicate for mutual understanding and support for one another. Every one of us needs to take specific and continued actions in this regard.
The Japanese Government will carry out education in schools to promote the concept of “barrier-free hearts and minds,” and request that companies and public offices train their staff, and raise awareness as part of cooperation between public offices and local stakeholders.
Thank you, Mr. Vice-President.