June 12, 2012
Osaka City Mayor Hashimoto Toru, who often describes Osaka citizens as “luxurious”, sought to close a city-owned sports facility for disabled persons but deferred its closure due to fierce protest from people with disabilities and their supporters.
The Nagai Sports Center for Persons with Disabilities was established in 1974, the first facility in Japan to provide the physically disabled with opportunities to participate in sports activities. The facility in 2011 saw about 380,000 visitors taking part in not only sports but also cultural events. Hashimoto in April, however, announced his plan to close the facility in 2016.
A city official in charge of the sports center said, “The facility is well-equipped and accessible to the disabled. They can use the facility without worrying about inconveniencing others and feel relaxed talking with each other.”
A blind person said, “For disabled persons, sports activities are not ‘luxurious’ things. I can’t understand the reasoning behind the attempt to shut down the place which helps us to live on our own.”
Users of the sports center collected 26,000 signatures just in one month for a petition calling for the continuation of the facility, and succeeded in stopping the move by the mayor.
Yet, they still fear that the mayor will target the facility for closure at some future date. They said that they will continue their activity to call for continued operations and request the city government to renovate and modernize the facility.
The Nagai Sports Center for Persons with Disabilities was established in 1974, the first facility in Japan to provide the physically disabled with opportunities to participate in sports activities. The facility in 2011 saw about 380,000 visitors taking part in not only sports but also cultural events. Hashimoto in April, however, announced his plan to close the facility in 2016.
A city official in charge of the sports center said, “The facility is well-equipped and accessible to the disabled. They can use the facility without worrying about inconveniencing others and feel relaxed talking with each other.”
A blind person said, “For disabled persons, sports activities are not ‘luxurious’ things. I can’t understand the reasoning behind the attempt to shut down the place which helps us to live on our own.”
Users of the sports center collected 26,000 signatures just in one month for a petition calling for the continuation of the facility, and succeeded in stopping the move by the mayor.
Yet, they still fear that the mayor will target the facility for closure at some future date. They said that they will continue their activity to call for continued operations and request the city government to renovate and modernize the facility.
