'Practicing universal design of housing in Japan: Accomplishments and future directions

Abstract

In Japan, housing manufacturers were the first to implement UD in development of dwelling design where seniors can continue to live in the later years. Expected explosion of senior population forced the government to change concepts on how the dwellings were to be designed and provided. The government realized that all dwellings should be designed for the residents’ later years. The Ministry of Construction developed dwelling design guidelines for the ageing society, while the Ministry of International Trade and Industry tried to introduce standards on housing appliances to be usable by senior residents. Both tried to make the senior-friendly design as matter-of-fact, not specific designs, resulting UD in the end. Human factors experiments were conducted extensively, in order to establish new dwelling design guidelines and industrial standards on appliances. Many porotype houses were also constructed for enacting housing law or standards. Their introduction changed the liveability of typical Japanese dwellings extensively. Some NPOs, E&C Project, Research Institute of Human Engineering for Quality Life or International Association for Universal Design (IAUD) played essential role through making industrial standards and teaching them each other about UD. IAUD was established after the first International Conference for Universal Design was held in 2002. The association was comprised of 114 companies in Japan, including housing and housing equipment companies. This paper examines the roles played by the private sector and governments in the development and implementation of UD, summarizing the UD accomplishments of housing in Japan so far. It will also discuss possible future directions.

Keywords: Practice, Universal Design, Japan, Government, Private Sector, Processes, Proliferation, Dwellings, Stationery, Office Equipment, Public Relations, Senior, Frail, Disabled, Non-profit Organization

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1008020