Ten years later, people of age of 50 and over will exceed more than half of the population of Japan. Rural areas are already fated with community dissolution, elderly care by elderly, decrease in population, and desolation of forests.
We cannot expect to solve these problems by previous methods or ideas. A new concept is desired. It is necessary propose to solve our social problems for the elderly people, physically challenged persons, women, and children from the view of themselves.

We try to get answers to these questions. Managing members consist of researchers, a doctor, engineers, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, a make therapist, designers etc. We expect to establish propagate, and extend the basic concept.

The problems in an aged society are in two categories; One is social security, welfare, law, employment, education, services. The other is commercial products and social infrastructure. Technology is not adequate to solve these problems, and we can not expect complete solutions. We need soft and efficient methods based on understanding of humanity to solve social problems (poverty, abuse, suicide, accidents, crime, stress and uneasiness.)

The concept named "universal design" is becoming familiar among Japanese people. Its idealistic concept covers requirements of everybody, not only for disabled and elderly people. It must be a warm and humane concept. Top priority should be given to improve our quality of life, but not economic efficiency.

What is 'Universal Design' ? Design and integrated communication can satisfy us by products, living environment and services for a positive and independent life in an ageing society.

Fist, products, living environments and services to support higher values of daily life can make as more independent.
Second problem, the concept of 'Universal Design' can make a better society.

To raise the quality of living environment, a product, and service, we need more information on cooperation and integration beyond professional area and integration. In addition, feed back system from citizens to administration is continuously required.

• What is "Universal Design"?
• The Differences in UD from Barrier-Free Design
• Seven Principles of Universal Design and Freezing of Creativity
• Why does the standardization of UD become a barrier?

• History of UDJ
• Present and Future Activities
• Key Points of Products, Living Environments and Services
• Group Mission
• Group members
• Management of Activities

• Opinions from staff
• International Activity
• Open Meeting