Japan Enacts Helper Dog Law
By Kay Schriner (kays@uark.edu)
People with disabilities in Japan should find it easier to use helper dogs, thanks to a new law passed by the Japanese Diet. The new law, which will take effect October 1, 2002, is the result of lobbying efforts by Yoshitomo Kimura, a computer programmer who uses both a wheelchair and a helper dog.
Now, there are perhaps fewer than 30 helper dogs in all of Japan, but this legislation should increase their popularity. The government will give subsidies for training the dogs, and provides that disabled people can keep helper dogs in public housing. By October 2003, hotels, restaurants and supermarkets will be required to allow an individual with a disability bring a helper dog along. Dogs must be trained and certified by the government.
Information for this story was taken from The Japan Times (on-line edition).
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