Vietnamese Officials visiting The Nippon Foundation

It is said that there are over 5,100, 000 disabled people in Vietnam because of the Vietnam War. In recognition of this fact, the Vietnamese government is currently preparing to establish a Basic Disabled Persons Law.

Recently, the working committee of this piece of legislation came to Japan at the invitation of The Nippon Foundation. They studied Japanese policy concerning the disabled and researched the activities of disability-related organizations. Following an international workshop to be held on July 10-11 in Hanoi, the new bill will be presented to the National Assembly in October. It is expected to be established next May.

Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs lead the delegation, which consisted of the 10 officials working on the law. After visiting China to study that country’s policy regarding the disabled, the delegation came to Japan from June 18 to 26 and examined conditions here.

At The Nippon Foundation, they met Chairman Yohei Sasakawa, who said "We appreciate your work in support of the people who stand in the dark." The vice minister replied, "We have a responsibility to finish this work on the new law. Japanese disabled policy is highly advanced, and we are trying to head in the same direction.

The group listened to a talk by a Japanese member of Disabled Persons International and an explanation of the rights convention. They visited welfare facilities, observed medical massage treatment by the blind, and went to a Tsukuba University-affiliated school for the Blind. In addition, they visited Human Care Association, an independent living center for the disabled; and Meisei Gakuen, a private bilingual/bicultural school for the Deaf.

An International Workshop on the Disabled Persons Fundamental Law will be held in Hanoi from July 10th to 11th. American legal professionals will attend and conduct a final discussion about the law’s establishment.
Vietnamese officials are hurriedly developing the law in anticipation of the ratification of the UN Disability Rights Convention.