In Japan, the most rapidly aging country in the world, about 18.5% of the total population are senior citizens aged 65 or older. It is said that such senior citizens will account for more than 25% in 2014. Including the baby-boomers aged 50 or older whose bodily functions start to deteriorate significantly, and the self-sustainable people with disabilities, already about 40% of the total population (approximately 51 million people) are feeling some sort of inconveniences in terms of accessibility. The rapid development in technical innovation, together with such change in the composition of population, has created a new barrier for the seniors and the people with various kinds of disabilities. Children, pregnant women, and foreigners whose native languages and life styles are different share the same problem. We should not develop products taking only young and healthy people into account. It is necessary to create products with which/a society where there is no need to feel inconveniences because of the differences in age, sex, race or one 's abilities.

To design, from the start, equipment, a building, or living space so that it will be utilized by as many people as possible is called "universal design".
In other words, universal design is a design that works for everyone, and this is how we should manufacture products all the time. Actually taking universal design into account will expand the customer base and improve customer satisfaction for a company, and, for the government, will be the foundation for developing a city in cooperation with people from all walks of life. This is beneficial not only for the Japanese people but also for everyone in every part of the world.

Under such recognition, the "International Conference for Universal Design in Japan 2002" was held during November 30 _ December 4, 2002, in which, while valuing the results of the universal design that had been accumulated so far, we aimed for reaching a higher level in terms of universal design by sharing information and promoting communication through the gathering of experts from inside and outside Japan regardless of their affiliation (to the industry, the government, or an academic institution). In the "International Universal Design Declaration in Japan 2002" adopted on the last day, we confirmed the importance of accelerating the creation of a system in which the users are considered most important (an attitude which should be applied not only to manufacturing but to every aspect of the society) through defining "universal design" as "to create social environment in which the characteristics of each person is respected" and through reconstructing the relationships between the user and the manufacturer. Based on the ideals and the results of this conference, we decided to continue to promote universal design in hopes of the continuation and development of universal design.

Through further popularization and realization of universal design, we hope to revitalize the stagnating Japanese economy thereby contributing to the healthy development of the society, and to make known to the world "universal design", a concept originated in Japan, so that it will contribute to the improvement of the welfare of all mankind. With such hopes in mind, we have established the "International Association for Universal Design", and are seeking for the participation by various companies in various industries, organizations, and individuals.

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