Announcing the Winners of the 2nd Special Needs Award for Support Initiatives

2nd Special Needs Award Announcement

To foster an environment where children requiring medical care can live with dreams and hopes, the Mayor's Network for Supporting Medical Care Children was established by forward-thinking municipal leaders. This network aims to widely showcase examples of exceptional support for children needing medical care across Japan. Additionally, to shine a light on the unsung heroes working tirelessly on the ground, the network initiated an award system last year, recognizing achievements in three categories: Outstanding Municipality, Outstanding Municipal Staff, and Compassionate Community Development.

The award nominations are filled with heartfelt appreciation for municipalities and personnel, with sentiments like, “This municipality is doing an excellent job,” and “This staff member is dedicated and reliable.” Nominations were received from the National Medical Care Line, which connects individuals requiring medical care, their families, and supporters. This year, out of the 15 applications from 12 organizations and municipalities, one individual from the Outstanding Municipal Staff category and two organizations from the Compassionate Community Development category were honored. Notably, there were no recipients for the Outstanding Municipality category this year.

The 2nd award ceremony will take place as part of the meeting “Fuwarin Kurujon 2025,” which gathers ideas for community development under the banner of social inclusion, aiming to create a society where no one is left behind. This initiative encourages individuals to achieve their true potential and dream in a supportive environment.

Award Ceremony Details

- Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (tentative)
- Venue: WHAT CAFE, 2-1-11 Higashi Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo
- Agenda:

1:00 PM - Special Needs Award - Award Ceremony
1:30 PM - Symposium - Presentation of Awardees’ Cases

For the Fuwarin Kurujon 2025 program, please check the ticket sales site: Fuwarin Inclusion 2025

Mayor's Network for Supporting Medical Care Children

On November 15, 2023, the Mayor's Network for Supporting Medical Care Children was established. This initiative was created by mayors on the frontline of medical care for children, aiming to build communities where these children can thrive with their aspirations. The network facilitates the sharing of innovative municipal practices and articulates requests to the government for improved services. Currently, it counts 58 member municipalities as of October 4, 2025.

Award Winners and Their Contributions

Outstanding Municipal Staff Category

Miwa Asano, Children and Youth Bureau, Yokohama:
Asano has played a vital role as a connector between the administration and the field in supporting children requiring medical care. She listens attentively to the challenges faced by families, daycares, home nursing services, and hospitals. Through conferences with related organizations, she coordinates individualized support. Her efforts to reflect voices from the field into administrative policies have earned her trust and led to proactive responses to inquiries from both internal and external sources. Her exceptional ability to transcend the conventional boundaries of administrative work has significantly uplifted medical care support for children throughout Kanagawa Prefecture, making her a valuable role model for other municipalities.

Compassionate Community Development Category

NPO Solways (Sapporo, Hokkaido):
This organization operates the “Children's Future Support Base Aino Katachi” in the Sapporo and Ishikari areas, providing comprehensive support for children needing medical care and their families. They have established a 24-hour support environment, integrating pediatric care, sick child nursing, and short-term stays. Through collaboration with daycares and the local community, they support family employment and respite care, embodying a society where children can grow regardless of disabilities. Their initiative has attracted numerous inquiries and visits from other regions looking to replicate their success.

Kita Ryo Co., Ltd. (Kitakami, Iwate):
This company leverages medical infrastructure technologies to develop advanced local support for children needing medical care and disaster relief. They promote social participation for children with severe disabilities through e-sports events and art activities. Moreover, they have created disaster response technologies like the movable emergency shelter “WHOLE EARTH CUBE” and safety confirmation systems such as “ANPY.” Their efforts combine welfare with disaster prevention, contributing significantly to building a community-inclusive society.