“The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower” Straps Distributed On A Trial Basis At Haneda Airport

At Haneda Airport, as part of our efforts to ensure that passengers and airport users with various disabilities to be able to have a comfortable journey, “The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower” *1 straps will be available for people with invisible disabilities, such as intellectual disabilities, mental disabilities, and chronic diabetic diseases, to receive guidance and support. The straps will be distributed at information counters in Terminal 1, 2, and 3 on a trial basis.

"The Hidden Disabilities Sunflower" straps is designed to support people with invisible disabilities to gain the understanding of those around them. Airport staffs and any others will be able to recognize that the people wearing this strap may need support and care and are looking for immediate assistance from the airport staff.

As this initiative is expanding mainly at airports in Europe and the United States, Haneda Airport will be implementing this initiative as a contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promise of "Leave No One Behind” under the theme of the “HANEDA Diversity and Inclusion” *2.

*1 Created by Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme Limited, which began in 2016 at Gatwick Airport in London, to solve the problem of how to recognize customers with disabilities not visible from appearance. This initiative is currently available or will be launched at 98 airports in 20 countries around the world.

*2 As part of Japan Airport Terminal Group’s efforts to achieve SDGs, we are promoting activities to convey the “beauty of diversity, beyond race, nationality and physical function” from Haneda Airport where a wide variety of domestic and overseas customers come and go.

1. 1. Trial distribution period: Tuesday, March 1st, 2022, thru Friday, September 30th, 2022
2. 2. Distribution spots:  <Terminal 1> Information Counter (on basement floor, South Wing 2nd floor), Service Center (on 1st floor)
3. <Terminal 2> Information Counter (on basement floor, North Wing 2nd floor)
4. <Terminal 3> Information Counter (on 1st floor, 3rd floor)
5.   *The straps are distributed free of charge.
6. 3. Supporting organizations:     Host-Chuo University Research and Development Initiative (Akiyama and Niwa Research Team) and 
7. Foundation for Promoting Personal Mobility and Ecological Transportation  
8. Co-host: All Japan Airport Terminal Association, Inc.