[April 4 Event] Let's End the 'Cannot Enter' Reality of New Buildings in Our Generation.
NPO WheeLog launched a petition demanding 'zero step' entrances for all newly built stores. They will host an emergency YouTube Live info session on April 4th to address the loophole causing 1 in 3 new stores to lack accessibility.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 2, 2026 at 04:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 19:37
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 06:57 (467h 19m after Collected)
The Certified Non-Profit Organization WheeLog (Representative Director: Yuriko Oda), which strives to create a world where wheelchair users don't have to give up, has launched a signature campaign demanding the standardization of 'zero steps' in all newly built stores starting March 5, 2026.
## ■ Why is a petition necessary now: The reality that 'about 1 in 3' new buildings has steps
Currently, there is a '2,000 square meter (about the size of 2 gymnasiums) wall' in Japanese building construction. Large-scale buildings are mandated to be barrier-free, but for smaller stores (such as restaurants, convenience stores, and hair salons), it is merely an 'effort obligation' (best effort).
As a result, even in newly constructed properties, a step is created at the entrance of about 1 in 3 buildings. Once a building is erected, it remains in the city for over 50 years. If we do not change the standards now, we will continue to leave 'barriers' for the next generation.
## ■ Our Proposal
We demand the following two things for all newly built locations:
- To be able to 'enter' without steps
- To be able to 'use' the inside
## ■ Overview of the 'Signature Campaign Briefing Session'
~ Emergency Live Broadcast of the Briefing Session on YouTube Live ~
To mark the full-scale launch of this project, we will broadcast a 'Briefing Session' on YouTube Live starting at 20:00 on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
## ■ Why is a petition necessary now: The reality that 'about 1 in 3' new buildings has steps
Currently, there is a '2,000 square meter (about the size of 2 gymnasiums) wall' in Japanese building construction. Large-scale buildings are mandated to be barrier-free, but for smaller stores (such as restaurants, convenience stores, and hair salons), it is merely an 'effort obligation' (best effort).
As a result, even in newly constructed properties, a step is created at the entrance of about 1 in 3 buildings. Once a building is erected, it remains in the city for over 50 years. If we do not change the standards now, we will continue to leave 'barriers' for the next generation.
## ■ Our Proposal
We demand the following two things for all newly built locations:
- To be able to 'enter' without steps
- To be able to 'use' the inside
## ■ Overview of the 'Signature Campaign Briefing Session'
~ Emergency Live Broadcast of the Briefing Session on YouTube Live ~
To mark the full-scale launch of this project, we will broadcast a 'Briefing Session' on YouTube Live starting at 20:00 on Saturday, April 4, 2026.