 JCP motivates banks to install more ATMs for visually impaired A Japanese Communist Party Dietmember has pushed banks to install more ATMs for the visually impaired by bringing the issue into Diet discussions. The Financial Services Agency (FSA) reported to JCP House of Representatives member Sasaki Kensho that from May to October last year, 1,530 ATMs that can be used by visually-impaired customers were installed at major banks' branch offices. People who have a disability in sight or hand movement cannot use normal ATMs which require customers to operate them by touching panels. At Lower House Financial Affairs Committee meetings in April and May last year, JCP Sasaki demanded that banks introduce more ATMs that are accessible to disabled and elderly people. A FSA representative in answer to Sasaki's question in May said that only 12 percent of 72,900 ATMs in banks were usable by the blind. Takenaka Heizo, then state minister in charge of financial policy, stated that the government will encourage banks to install more ATMs for the visually impaired. (end) |