Okinawa Nippon Kanzai Welcomes Students from Special Needs School for Work Experience

Supporting Youth through Work Experience: Okinawa Nippon Kanzai's Initiative

Okinawa Nippon Kanzai, a subsidiary of Japan Kanzai Holdings, is proud to announce its recent initiative that supports social participation and occupational independence for young people with disabilities. From October 6 to 17, 2025, the company welcomed two students from Okinawa Prefectural Okinawa High School for Special Needs Education to participate in a valuable work experience program at Uruma City Hall.

The Background of the Program

Founded in 1990, Okinawa High School for Special Needs Education is dedicated to helping students with mild intellectual disabilities achieve social and occupational independence. The school places a strong emphasis on work experience, providing a total of six opportunities for students over three years to gain practical skills in real-world settings. Okinawa Nippon Kanzai is responsible for facility management services at Uruma City Hall, overseeing a 22,215 square meter building that includes cleaning and environmental health management operations. Additionally, the company is committed to contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is registered as an Okinawa SDGs Partner.

In response to a request from the school, Okinawa Nippon Kanzai accepted the students for this important initiative. The program not only aims to give these students firsthand experience in a professional environment but also strengthens the bonds between local businesses and the community.

Program Overview

- Implementing Period: October 6 (Monday) to October 17 (Friday), 2025
- Location: Uruma City Hall (1-1 Midori-cho, Uruma City)
- Participants: 2 students from Okinawa High School for Special Needs Education
- Activities: Students gained experience in various tasks, including cleaning the premises, organizing supplies, and assisting visitors to the office.
- Schedule: Activities included commuting training (October 4-5), a parent observation day (October 14), and a closing ceremony on the final day (October 17).

Student Experiences and Feedback

Throughout the nine active weekdays, the two students were given the chance to perform various tasks that reflected the daily duties of Okinawa Nippon Kanzai employees. One student expressed, "I was given responsibilities on my own, which boosted my confidence." Another mentioned the joy of receiving positive feedback from office staff and visitors, stating, "When people said, 'It looks cleaner now, thank you,' it made me happy and motivated me to do even better."

The school also provided valuable insights, noting that work experiences help students understand societal structure and workplace norms while cultivating self-awareness and independence. The opportunity encourages students to contemplate future career paths, aligning their aspirations with their skills.

After their first day, the students excitedly shared their experiences with their families, demonstrating an engaged and positive attitude. The school expressed gratitude for the opportunity to partner with local businesses.

Reflections from Okinawa Nippon Kanzai

This was Taiwan Nippon Kanzai's first experience hosting students, and feedback from the students was overwhelmingly positive. The two participants demonstrated professionalism and commitment to their assigned tasks, enhancing the overall work environment. Okinawa Nippon Kanzai feels honored to contribute to the development of future community leaders and hopes this experience bolsters the students' confidence and motivation for future social participation.

About Japan Kanzai Group

Founded in 1965, the Japan Kanzai Group specializes in building management and operation services, environmental facility management, residential management, and real estate fund management. The group prides itself on being independent and works with a diverse array of facilities, including office buildings, commercial spaces, hotels, educational institutions, and public facilities. In 2023, Japan Kanzai Holdings Co., Ltd. was established as the holding company to focus on group management functions.