This article is also available in: 日本語
The other day, my friend recommended me to watch, a musical “Singin’ in the Rain” in Tokyo.
I checked the online ticket service:
- Seat S: 13,000 JPY
- Seat A: 11,000 JPY
- Seat B: 9,000 JPY
I purchased a seat B ticket as per my budget.
On the purchase screen, I was told that I need to contact the information center after booking for wheelchair accessibility information. So I did.
Operator:
“Our wheelchair accessible seats are available only in seat S area. Would you pay for the price gap, 4,000JPY?”
Mizuki:
“The price gap is kinda huge. Isn’t seat B really wheelchair accessible? If I can access close to my seat, I can transfer to a regular seat.”
Operator:
“There are some steps from the entrance to your seat in B. If you can go up those steps, you can still watch from your seat.”
Mizuki:
“You decided to have wheelchair accessible seat in seat S only, not me. Why do I need to pay for the price gap just because I am in wheelchair?”
Operator:
“In this musical, we decided to do so.”
Mizuki:
“I have lived in the US, and I could purchase any tickets as per my budget and was guided to a wheelchair accessible seat every time without any additional charge. Can I please talk to your manager about this?
Operator:
“We have announced the reply to other people in wheelchair, so we cannot do this just for you. We are sorry.”
I was simply surprised. The issue, having wheelchair accessible seats only in seat S, should be resolved by the theater owner, not by customers in wheelchair. This is really outrageous!
I wonder how I can change this unfair system and phenomenon in Japanese society which most people just accept the status quo even though it may be wrong.