The following slides were used in Mr. Andou's talk, and contain statistics about disabilities in Japan. They are all in Japanese, but a summary in English is available for each one.
The first three slides are general statistics for
disabilities in Japan,
while the last one is specific to intractable diseases.
This slide and the next two show statistic figures for
disabilities in Japan.
Japan's total population - 126,000,000 people (in 1999)
Handicapped population - 7,510,000 (5.9%)
Physically handicapped - 2,933,000 (in 1996) 67% of those are over 60yo.
Visually handicapped - 305,000
...in continuation from the previous slide...
limb handicap - 1,657,000 people
Internal-organ handicap - 621,000
Multiple handicap - 179,000
Intractable diseases
In 1998 there were 360,000 people in Japan classified as
having intractable disease.
Behcet's is one of 38 diseases classified as intractable diseases in 1972.
As such, the ministry of health and welfare will research the disease, will work
to improve treatment and reduce costs for the patients, and will improve its
local facilities for health and welfare.
Under the new law from 1997, if you are handicapped, you are entitled to
home-help service, short stay in a home so your carers can rest, and any
equipment you may need.
The slides and talk failed to mention the most important thing to me, as a BD
patient, that we are entitled here (in Japan) for a small monthly allowance upon
proving we have an intractable disease, and all medical expenses related to it
are waved.