Space for wheelchairs on the Shinkansen Significant increase in new vehicles Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism proposed new standards August 28 22:32
To promote barrier-free measures for the Shinkansen, the space for wheelchairs will be significantly increased in newly introduced vehicles.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is reviewing the standards to increase the space for wheelchairs on the Shinkansen.
On the 28th, a meeting was held in which the presidents of JR companies and members of groups with disabilities attended, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism proposed a new standard.
As a result,
the Shinkansen with less than 500 seats has more than 4 seats for wheelchairs,
▽500 to 1000 seats has 5 or more seats, and
▽ exceeds 1000 seats, 0.5% of the number of seats The above space maintenance is obligatory.
Currently, most Shinkansen seats have only one seat, but according to the new standard,
▽ Tokaido Shinkansen has 6 seats
▽ Tohoku Shinkansen and Hokuriku Shinkansen will have space for 4 seats Become.
The target of the compulsion is new vehicles to be introduced in the future, but the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is requesting JR companies to respond to existing vehicles.
Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Akabane, said, "I think it can be said to be the world's highest level of barrier-free compared to other countries. I would like to ask JR companies to make the utmost efforts in time for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics next year." It was.