#Japan #Yokohama #Japan Assistance Dogs #Kasa-Kasumi Day #Social Awareness

Japan's Assistance Dog Information Center Celebrates at Kasa-Kasumi Day

On August 7, 2025, the Japan Assistance Dog Information Center, located in Yokohama, Kanagawa, held a ceremony at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The center was awarded a certificate of appreciation for its contributions to the Children's Kasa-Kasumi Day, an event aimed at enhancing children's understanding of health and welfare policies. The center's efforts focus on the social understanding and promotion of assistance dogs, which is vital in helping people with disabilities integrate into society.

The Japan Assistance Dog Information Center is a non-profit organization led by Chairperson Fumi Yoshida, which works as a neutral entity providing consultation and information. The center actively participates in initiatives aimed at educating and enlightening young audiences about assistance dogs, such as guide dogs, service dogs, and hearing dogs. These interactions aim to create a foundation for awareness and acceptance of assistance dogs, as they play a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities.

Conducted under the theme “Let’s Learn About Assistance Dogs!”, the center collaborates with assistance dog users to educate children about these animals' important work and their daily lives with their handlers. This year's event saw many children eagerly engaged, asking questions and learning about the role of assistance dogs in providing support.

Matsumoto Eri, a board member of the center and a hearing dog user, shared her thoughts on the importance of these educational initiatives: “It has been 23 years since the Assistance Dog Law was enacted. Over this time, children born in that year have grown into adults. Despite these years, challenges such as the refusal of companionship to assistance dog users persist, primarily due to a lack of awareness regarding the laws surrounding these animals. Our organization is dedicated to cultivating a society where assistance dogs are a common sight, focusing particularly on raising awareness among children. We see it as planting seeds for the future.”

Matsumoto expressed her delight at observing kids potentially choosing to present on assistance dogs for their summer research projects after this event, emphasizing the long-term impact of these encounters.

The Kasa-Kasumi Day, held annually during the summer break, offers children valuable insights into the workings of government ministries, and this year’s interaction with the Assistance Dog Information Center has been recognized with a certificate from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. The center is deeply appreciative of this acknowledgment and views it as an affirmation of their ongoing efforts.

As opportunities to educate about assistance dogs continue, the center remains committed to nurturing these understanding seeds. They hope that through such efforts, awareness will blossom into broader societal acceptance, ultimately benefiting disability communities.

Since the beginning of their participation, three assistance dog users and the Chiba Assistance Dog Association have contributed significantly to the initiative.

For reports on recent Children's Kasa-Kasumi Days, you can access the following:

• - 2023 Event Report
• - 2024 Event Report
• - 2025 Event Report

The Children’s Kasa-Kasumi Day is an initiative involving various ministries and agencies, designed to provide children with opportunities to learn about society’s functions and deepen their understanding of governmental roles and policies.

The Japan Assistance Dog Information Center works towards promoting awareness and understanding of assistance dogs in society, aiming for the inclusion of all individuals, regardless of their disabilities. Located at 1688-1-B203 Nihohacho, Kohoku Ward, Yokohama, Kanagawa, the center welcomes inquiries via email at [email protected] or through their official site: Japan Assistance Dog Information Center. Additionally, find them on Facebook.