Xavier Gonzalez, the chief executive officer of the International Paralympic Committee, on Friday called on the citizens of Japan to take more active roles in building a more inclusive society where people with and without disabilities can both excel.

"If people demand it for their colleagues and friends, that's when changes really happen," Gonzalez said about improving accessibility and promoting "barrier-free" mentalities in the lead-up to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and beyond.

While recognizing the important role government and business leaders play in the process, Gonzalez stressed that most change comes from individuals who believe in making society more inclusive.

"The important thing is not only about laws and facilities, it's also about the mentality of people... (In) the end, it's even more important (than other factors)," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez is in Japan to review the progress in the preparations for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which will be held from Aug. 25 to Sept. 6.

Gonzalez believes hosting the Paralympic Games will accelerate the benefits that come from a deeper understanding of people with disabilities.

"If you provide the right conditions, people with disabilities can do anything, in a different way. They can jump and play basketball, and they can do it in a way that is exciting," he said.

Improving accessibility in accommodations and transportation systems is considered crucial.

Earlier this week, the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved a revised "barrier-free" enforcement order, requiring new accommodation facilities with 50 or more guest rooms to make a minimum 1 percent of their rooms wheelchair accessible. The order goes into force next September.

Gonzalez indicated improvement is still needed in some areas, such as the transportation system because it is not designed to carry thousands of people with disabilities every day. This, he said, would require figuring out what kind of action should be taken and what laws need revising.

"We need to work with transport authorities to see how we can increase the capacity of the accessibility of the transport system," Gonzalez said. "That's a work in progress," he said, adding he expects to have a solid plan when he returns early next year.

But Gonzalez also said the IPC is satisfied with the current progress.

On Thursday, Yoshitaka Sakurada, minister in charge of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games who met with Gonzalez, spoke about the push to improve accessibility around the second National Training Center.

Sakurada said a committee composed of local governments and transportation operators will be established to discuss accessibility at train stations and roads around the facility. Since the training center is being constructed to meet the needs of disabled athletes, the Paralympians Association of Japan has sought improved accessibility in the area.

Regarding other matters, Gonzalez revealed that the IPC has agreed to form a working group with the local organizing committee to address the issue of the extreme heat common in Tokyo during the summer, given some disabled athletes have a hard time regulating their body temperature.

Gonzalez said the working group will also tackle "typhoons and all types of potential weather hazards," while cooperating with the International Olympic Committee working group because the issue is not specific to the Paralympics.

Also on Friday, Tokyo organizers unveiled the Paralympics competition schedule. Badminton and taekwondo, which have been added to the Paralympic sport program for the first time, will be contested from Sept. 2 to 6 and Sept. 3 to 5, respectively.

"I hope they add a lot of excitement to the Games. They are evidently popular in Asia," Gonzalez said.

"It's also important to allow athletes from these countries to find sports that are more familiar to their cultures and traditions."