Tokyo, Aug 21 (IANS): Japan's transport ministry plans to launch early next year trial services of buses equipped with lifts to enable the physically handicapped use them without any trouble, the media reported on Friday.

The proposed launch is part of government efforts to make the country's transportation system and public facilities barrier-free ahead of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020, state-run NHK news agency reported.

Transport ministry officials said they will start the services on routes linking central Tokyo with two major airports, Haneda and Narita, in January 2016.

Currently, none of the country's long-distance buses nor airport shuttles have lifts installed on them.

The ministry aims to make about 25 percent of long-distance buses and airport shuttles barrier-free by 2020.

The ministry also plans to build special lanes for wheelchair-accessible taxis at the international terminal of Tokyo's Haneda Airport next month.