On March 12th, 2021, MLIT published its “Research Report on the Improvement of Public Toilet Facilities for an Inclusive Society”. The report was created in response to the amendment of the Act on Promotion of Smooth Transportation, etc. of Elderly Persons, Disabled Persons, etc. in May 2021, which refers to the responsibility of the State, local governments, and citizens to promote the development of barrier-free environments, including the appropriate use of facilities for the elderly and persons with disabilities. The research aims to understand the actual situation regarding the use of public toilets and to consider the measures necessary to promote such environments. The main points of the report are as follows.
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〇Basic points required for improvement of public toilet facilities
■ Promotion of the appropriate use of accessible toilets
(1) Distribution of the functions of accessible toilets
- Installation of equipment for families with infants and for ostomates in general toilets
- In cases where it is difficult to disperse functions in a single toilet block, the improvement of toilets taking into consideration the entirety of the facility, or in coordination with nearby public facilities.
- Provision of a sufficient number of general toilets in order to avoid a rush and a lack of availability of accessible toilets.
(2) Accommodation to the various needs of users
- Promotion of the installation of one or more large restrooms with a large nursing bed.
- Promotion of the setting up of a unisex toilet space for those who have companions of a different gender assisting them.
- Improvement of equipment for infants (baby chairs, diaper changing tables, etc.) to be more user-friendly.
- Improvement of general toilets taking into consideration a wide range of users, such as persons with visual impairments or hyperesthesia.
(3) Provision of information regarding the equipment in the toilets
- Provision of information through websites etc. regarding equipment available in the toilets.
- Indication of location of toilets and the equipment available in floor guides
- Provision of information regarding the availability of toilets in order to avoid a rush to one facility.
(4) Enhancement of public awareness and education
- Clarifying the target user in accordance with its function using pictograms, etc.
- Provision of information which is clear and easy to understand. Not using the names such as “multi-functional toilet” or “multi-purpose toilet” which do not specify target users.
- Public education on the appropriate use of accessible toilets, by displaying a message such as “Avoid using this toilet unless urgent or necessary”.
- Raising awareness of business owners regarding the distribution of functions of public toilet facilities.
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For more information, please visit the following link (Japanese only). https://www.mlit.go.jp/report/press/sogo09_hh_000281.html
