Restoration of Voting Rights for 136,000

1 Feb. 1 2011 Bringing Up the Case14 March 2013　 Winning the Case25 May 2013　 Law was Revised

　　　　　　　　　　　 27 May 2015

Chief Counsel　　　　 Hitomi Sugiura, Attorney at Law

Outline

1. Why was the law changed so soon after the court decision?　

Outline

２．What have we been doing after winning the court case and the law was revised?

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Reasons for Swift legal change

1. Wide Public Support for our case

Inclusion Japan collected more than 410,000 signatures

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Reasons for Swift legal change

2. Political Support from politicians★Lobbying★ International attention and support“The world is watching us”

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Reasons for Swift legal change

3. Presence of Takumi, self-advocate. A Member of Parliament said “I did not know that our law has been taking away a right from this individual who should be voting”. MPs apologized to Takumi. “We are sorry for taking away your right”

Those who took away her rights did know the very people who rights were deprived

On-going ChallengeImplementation of Article 29

Takumi, lawyers and supporters collecting questionnaires to voters with disabilities at polling stations and making recommendations to government

At polling stations, we ask if there isEasy-to-understand guidance is availableAccessible service are availableOfficials have proper understanding of disability

Based on the questionnaires, we submit our recommendations to the ministry in charge of elections.

Thank you!

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