#133 Protest

Googled when I got home, turns out I understood their protest more or less correctly, just didn't understand the whole story.

Some words that appeared in this video, along with some that are needed to understand it:
障害者(しんたいしょうがいしゃ) = Handicapped (people)
負担(ふたん) = Burden
撤回(てっかい) = Repealment
絶対(ぜったい) = Absolute
反対(はんたい) = Opposition
廃止(はいし) = Abolition
障害者自立支援法(しょうがいしゃじりつしうんほう) = Law of the Support of Self-Sufficiency of the Handicapped
どうしてはたらくためにお金をはらうの？ = Why do we have to pay money in order to work?

応能(おうのう)
応益(おうえき)
The difference between those two words is explained in detail here:
http://www.syougaisya.com/2006/08/post_12.html

In short, in this context, the word 応能 means that you pay for the support you receive according to your income, according to your ability to pay. The word 応益 means that you always pay a particular percentage of the support you receive regardless of your income. The folks in this video are protesting against the latter.

The slogan "Nothing About Us Without Us" is from the title of a book you can find on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/0520224817
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0520224817

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• 身体障害者
• Handicapped

[BusanKevin]

Man oh man...are you for real?? Smokers and tobacco producers protesting?? I suppose a "death merchant" has gotta make a buck too! That must have been a trippy little protest to see?!?

[ElevenColors]

Yeah, I'm still bummed I didn't have my camera with me that day. :-(

[atomicboyx]

i was wondering the other day about handicap in japan. from what i knew about it before its not handi friendly as it is in the states.

thanks for that view into it.

[ElevenColors]

Accessibility has its ups and downs. When I moved into the Shimokitazawa area eight years ago, there was nothing at the station but stairs. A few years later, they attached these singular lifts to the sides of staircases, enough for one wheelchair at a time. A few years after that, they attached elevators to the north and south exits.

[acromel]

Very interesting, thanks.

I think that may be the first time I've ever seen any handicapped Japanese people. There's clearly a cultural difference in how the handicapped/disabled are viewed in Japan. The Japanese appear to be rather sensitive/uncomfortable about disability.

I'm ignorant of the social and domestic politics within Japan but getting concerns, such as this group's, out in the open for debate, can only be a good thing I think.

[ElevenColors]

Yer welcome, glad you liked it.

[satansatansatan]

not as boisterous as a typical protest here in san francisco but it's nice to people asserting themselves in a country not known so much for assertive behavior.

[NichiBeiTrader]

Exactly. Where are their rights?!

[ElevenColors]

And Anthrax germs are the invisible victims!

[NichiBeiTrader]

Hey, potential lung cancer patients are people too!