Japan’s accessibility laws
Understand Japan's digital accessibility requirements and learn what your organization must do to meet them. Whether you're in the public or private sector, Deque can help you create digital experiences that are compliant and inclusive of everyone, including people with disabilities.
What are Japan's digital accessibility laws and standards?
The Act on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (2014) is the foundation of Japan’s efforts to ensure equal access to digital services for people with disabilities.
The JIS X 8341 standard provides clear guidelines for digital accessibility and aligns with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.0 AA) developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).
Disability and digital accessibility in Japan
-
7.6% of Japan’s population, or about 9.6 million people, have a disability.
-
Japan has one of the world’s oldest populations, with 29% aged 65+, making accessibility crucial.
Why digital accessibility is right for your organization
The benefits of offering accessible products and services are wide-ranging and include:
Equality and inclusion
Being accessible ensures that everyone, including individuals with disabilities and Japan’s aging population, can fully engage with your organization’s digital properties.
Trust and loyalty
Prioritizing accessibility demonstrates your commitment to CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), a key expectation in Japan’s business culture. Accessibility builds credibility and leads to increased trust from customers and partners.
Innovation and competitiveness
Complying with JIS X 8341 and building accessible products positions you as a leader in Japan’s technology-driven economy.
The risks of non-compliance
Failure to comply with the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act and JIS X 8341 can have serious consequences:
Fines
Failing to meet accessibility standards can result in penalties of up to ¥200,000
Lawsuits
Non-compliance can lead to legal action from individuals or advocacy groups, damaging your organization’s reputation and negatively impacting your bottom line.
Loss of business
Inaccessible platforms exclude millions of potential customers in Japan’s market. Also, many public sector tenders require JIS X 8341 compliance.
Choose Deque for digital accessibility in Japan
Regional experts
Deque has offices and employees worldwide with deep knowledge of local guidelines.
Strategic Consulting
Our Principal Strategy Consultants help build, run and improve the world’s largest digital accessibility programs.
Trusted and proven tools
Our axe accessibility testing tools are the defacto global standard with 875,000+ installs
Frequently asked questions
Japan’s Act on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities ensures equal access to digital services for individuals with disabilities. The JIS X 8341 standard provides website accessibility guidelines aligned with WCAG 2.0 AA.
No, it is not mandatory. However, while JIS X 8341 compliance is not universally legislated, it is required for government agencies and many corporations. Non-compliance with accessibility standards may violate anti-discrimination laws and result in legal consequences.
Aligning with WCAG through JIS X 8341 ensures your digital content meets global accessibility standards while addressing Japan-specific requirements. This improves usability for all customers and strengthens your position in Japan’s competitive market.