Request for Nagoya City Mayor’s reconsideration on the renovation plan of Nagoya Castle without elevators

2018-06-04 Accessibility

Dear Friends,

This is a resolution approved by all of the participants of the DPI Japan’s 34th Annual Assembly (in Kanagawa) on 1st June 2018.
Please join us in sending protest messages to the Nagoya Mayor (a3054@shicho.city.nagoya.lg.jp).
The following is the model mail. Thank you for your cooperation in advance.

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Mr. Takashi Kawamura
Nagoya City Mayor

We persons with disabilities greatly appreciate your effort with respect to promote inclusive society in the world famous global city, Nagoya. Nagoya is a very popular city attracting millions of tourists every year. in the world.

We are informed that the plan to restore iconic Nagoya Castle with no elevator was endorsed. It is surprising that such popular tourism symbol is being planned to re-structure only for those who can climb up long steps. It is totally agaisnt the spirit of UN Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities as well as Sustainable Development Goals which both Japan and our country are involved.
You should be aware of that elevators are necessary not only for persons with disabilities but also elderly people, parents with baby baggies, or people in emergency cases. We believe that you envisage those people may enjoy the rights on a equal basis with others.

We hereby request you to reconsider the renovation plan for all the citizen and global tourists in terms of the value of equal rights and barrier-free perspective. Otherwise we seriously worry that your city will miss the precious opportunity and respect as a global city.

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Reference:
Kyodo MAY 22, 2018
“Mayor’s plan to re-create Nagoya Castle without elevators draws ire of barrier-free advocates”