Japan Leads New Efforts to Improve Accessibility in Video Games

 

By Jon Scarr

Accessibility in video games has come a long way, and Japan is starting to make big moves in that space. The country’s gaming industry is taking real steps to help more people enjoy games, no matter their physical abilities. At this year’s Tokyo Game Show, a dedicated accessibility area made its debut, showing off controllers and systems that allow gamers to play using their cheeks, feet, or even eyes instead of their hands.

Developed by companies like Technotools and Araya, these innovations aim to open gaming to everyone. One controller built for the Nintendo Switch can be operated with a foot or elbow, while another setup lets you control a game using only eye movements. Araya even displayed a project that converts brain waves into in-game “magical power.” It might sound futuristic, but it shows how creative developers are becoming in making games more inclusive.

Seeing Japan embrace accessibility feels long overdue, especially from a country known for shaping modern gaming. These efforts prove that the conversation around accessibility in video games is no longer just happening in the West. It’s global, and Japan is officially joining in.

New Technology and Innovations

The accessibility push in Japan is being led by some impressive creativity. Tokyo-based Technotools has developed a custom controller system for the Nintendo Switch that can be tailored to each user’s physical needs. Depending on the disability, gamers can use their feet, elbows, or even cheeks to control the joystick and buttons. For those unable to use their hands at all, an eye-tracking device can be attached to the screen, turning eye movement into in-game input.

Technotools CEO Shintaro Shimada said the idea came from a person who loved games but lost the ability to play due to a progressive disease. That kind of story shows how much these devices matter to people who just want to keep playing.

Another company, Araya, took things in a different but equally fascinating direction. They showed off a game that turns brain waves into magical power. Using a head-mounted sensor, the game measures brain activity and combines it with eye-tracking to let players aim and cast spells at a dragon on screen. It might sound like science fiction, but it shows what accessible design could look like in the future — tools that adapt to how each person interacts with technology.

Major Companies Getting Involved

It’s not just smaller studios leading the charge. Big names in the gaming industry are also taking accessibility seriously. Sony Interactive Entertainment has made steady progress with the PlayStation 5 by including features like chat transcription, a built-in screen reader, and customizable colour correction settings. The company’s Access Controller adds another layer of support, letting gamers with limited hand mobility customize their setup to fit their needs.

These kinds of tools might seem small, but for someone who needs them, they completely change how gaming feels. A comedian and streamer known as Asodog, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy, said it best. “Having disabilities means that there are many things you can’t do, but you can do a lot more if we have devices like this.” That simple truth highlights why this progress matters so much.

Asodog also formed a gaming team made up of people with disabilities to show that accessibility is about inclusion, not limitation. Technology like this helps bridge the gap between those who can play freely and those who have had to sit on the sidelines for too long. It’s a reminder that gaming’s best quality has always been how it brings people together.

Community Voices and Future Outlook

The accessibility movement in Japan’s gaming scene is still growing, but it is already showing what’s possible when creativity meets empathy. The excitement around these innovations at Tokyo Game Show shows there’s a real audience for inclusive design. Gamers with disabilities are finally getting tools that let them play on their own terms, and that’s something the entire industry can learn from.

Still, accessibility tech often comes with a steep price tag, which remains one of the biggest challenges. Asodog and others have pointed out that these products need to be more affordable to truly make a difference. Accessibility should not be a luxury, it should be a standard feature of gaming.

Personally, I find it inspiring to see how much progress has been made in just the last few years. Watching someone play with their eyes or control a game through brain waves feels like a glimpse of the future. What’s even better is knowing this isn’t just happening in one region. Japan joining the global accessibility effort makes the message clear: everyone deserves the chance to play.