The "Act on Assistance Dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities" aims at contributing to the independent living and social participation of person with physical disabilities. This law outlines requirements for assistance dog users on their dogs' behavior and sanitary management. This law certifies assistance dog users and their dogs to be entitled to use various facilities, stores and public transportation for the general public.
Summary of the "Act on Assistance Dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities"
1. Purpose
To foster assistance dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities and facilitate utilization of facilities by Persons with Physical Disabilities who use assistance dogs, thereby contributing to the promotion of independence and social participation of Persons with Physical Disabilities.
2. Definition
The term “assistance dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities” refers to guide dogs, mobility service dogs and hearing dogs.
3. Training of Assistance Dogs
1.Assistance dog training groups are responsible for selecting dogs with aptitude to the assistance dog, and training dogs to fit the particular needs of the assistance dog user, thereby fostering well-trained assistance dogs.
2.Assistance dog training groups are responsible for conducting surveys on the usage of assistance dogs they trained, and retraining of assistance dogs as needed.
4. Accompaniment of Assistance Dogs to Facilities, etc.
1.Public facilities that are managed by the National and Local Governments and public transportation, managers etc. of public facilities which are used by the general public, may not refuse assistance dogs and their users when they use the aforementioned facilities, except under unavoidable circumstances that may lead to substantial harm to the facilities as a result of acceptance of assistance dogs and their users.
2.Private businesses owners and managers of private housing facilities are encouraged not to refuse their employees and residents upon their using assistance dogs.
3.When the assistance dog user uses facilities (except for residences) by accompanying an assistance dog, the assistance dog user must display a certificate that the assistance dog is a specially trained dog for him or her.
5. Certification Concerning Assistance Dogs
Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare has the right to designate public interest corporations or social welfare corporations, established for the purpose of training and/or research of assistance dogs, which can properly perform the accreditation work of assistance dogs, as Designated Juridical Persons.
6. Treatment of Assistance Dogs, etc.
1.Assistance dog training groups and Persons with Physical Disabilities who use assistance dogs shall endeavor to maintain the dog’s physical well being by keeping the dogs clean, having physical examination and inoculation thereby preventing risks of causing harm to public health.
2.The national and local governments shall endeavor to promote the citizens’ understanding of significant roles assistance dogs play.
7. Effective Date, etc.
1.This Act will come into effect as of October 1, 2002. However, the effective date concerning the training of mobility service dogs and hearing dogs, under Article 3, will be set as April 1, 2003, and the date concerning the managers in charge of public facilities, under Article 4(1), will be set as October 1, 2003.
2.The situation of enforcement of this Act shall be examined three years after the enactment, and necessary measures shall be taken based on the review.
8. Partial Revisions of the Act on Assistance Dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities (Partial Revisions made in December, 2007)
1.Establishment of Consultation windows
Local authorities of prefectures, designated cities and core cities shall respond to consultation requests and complaints by assistance dog users and/or managers of accepting facilities, and offer necessary advice and guidance, besides introductions of relevant administrative organs. (effective as of April 1, 2008)
2. Assistance dogs Acceptance Obligations Imposed on Places of Business or Offices
Private businesses of a size larger than certain level (one or more statutory employee number of person with disabilities) may not refuse their physically disabled employees’ use of assistance dogs, except under unavoidable circumstances that may lead to substantial harm to the business operations as a result of the use of assistance dogs. (effective as of October 1, 2008)
