Godzwilla versus Japan's Handicapped

Just as a disclaimer, the blog entry today does not imply I beat up some blind Japanese guy. My "Godzilla versus ____" setup is just a template for topics, but I can see how sometimes this might be taken the wrong way.

Other topics I've had to cancel due to this naming issue are:

1. Godzwilla versus a Bear.
2. Godzwilla versus Japanese Children.
3. Godzwilla versus God (The subject of religion in Japan, of course...not the "Your ass is so smoten" one.)

Infinitely hilarious topics but again, I'd rather not be implying that I've been fighting bears, children, and God...even though you KNOW you would pay to see that. (Note to self: Check God's fighting schedule). But today, my topic is about the Handicapped.

In major cities, millions of yen (or about $5.35) are spent developing equal-opportunity public access. In Nagoya, every sidewalk has a foot-wide yellow line with bumps on it for the blind to walk on. These bumps can tell a person where a train station is, when they are in more crowded areas, and even when to stop for crosswalks. All crosswalk lights are fitted with a high-pitch, deafening screech produced whenever the light change. Clearly, deteriorating these peoples' last good sense is the only way to help them.

For those bound to wheelchairs, the city has provided ramps to every streetcorner and crosswalk, in addition to access of train stations and subways. On board of a train, the first seat to the right is always a "Priority Seat" (easily identified because there's always some dumbass teenager with no handicap texting away on his/her cellphone, oblivious to a man with a cane standing next to her) that is supposed to be reserved for the folks that need seats. Above the seats are a sign of a blind man (he has a stick, thus, he's blind), a pregnant woman, and always, a man in a wheelchair.

I don't mean to be rude, but does the man in a wheelchair really need two seats? I can't imagine how difficult it would be for him to climb out of his chair, pull himself onto the priority seat...and when he gets to his stop, use all of the 10 seconds he is given to get out of the train.

All in all, Japan respects the handicapped but could do with some common sense in how to treat them. I'd like to think I share a special bond with these people, though, because they too know the anxiety that is to ALWAYS be stared at for being different.

Godzwilla versus the Handicapped?
The winner: People in wheelchairs, because they get 2 damn seats on a train. That's 2 more than I'll ever get.