The Hokkaido prefectural government is organizing a public forum in Sapporo to promote awareness of the Act on the Elimination of Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, which took effect on April 1, 2016, with the goal of building a society where people with and without disabilities can live together ^[1]. The prefecture notes that it had already enacted its own ordinance on the protection of the rights of disabled persons and disabled children, and on promoting community development that is easy for them to live in, from April 1, 2010, ahead of the national law ^[1].

According to the Hokkaido government, these public forums have been held since fiscal 2015 as an opportunity to help more residents learn about the disability discrimination elimination law and the Hokkaido disability ordinance, and to think together about what each person can do so that people with and without disabilities can live together in Hokkaido ^[1].

The newest forum, "Disability Discrimination Elimination Law Public Forum in Sapporo," will be held on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 13:30 to 15:30, with reception starting at 13:00, at the Creative Studio on the third floor of the Sapporo City Citizens Exchange Plaza in Chuo Ward, Sapporo ^[1]. On-demand streaming of the event is also planned for a later date ^[1]. Those interested can apply via an online application form, by phone, or by fax, with the application deadline set for Monday, November 16, 2026 ^[1]. Inquiries can be directed to the Hokkaido Disability Health and Welfare Division at 011-231-4111 (extension 25-731) ^[1].

The prefecture also notes that video of last year's Sapporo forum, held on October 29, 2025, is being made available online through Sapporo City's YouTube channel, viewable from March 9, 2026, through March 9, 2027, via an application form, with the organizers encouraging use of the recording for personal viewing as well as for training sessions and school classes ^[1].

Separately, a forum was held in Wakkanai on October 6, 2026, which included an online Zoom broadcast, and a forum-style program was held at a junior high school in Rumoi on October 20, 2026, featuring visual impairment, wheelchair, and sign language experience booths for students, though that event was not open to the general public ^[1].

Foreign residents of Hokkaido interested in disability rights and discrimination issues can check the prefectural government's website for the application forms, flyers, and detailed forum information referenced in the notice ^[1].

Source credit 出典：「障害者差別解消法道民フォーラム（令和７～８年度実施）」（北海道）（https://www.pref.hokkaido.lg.jp/hf/shf/213151.html）、CC BY 4.0（https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.ja）を加工してJapan News (j.apan.news)が作成 This article is Japan News's own English summary of the Japanese original. It has been translated and edited by Japan News; it is not an official translation, and the Hokkaido Prefectural Government did not write or review it.