#Japan #special needs #Pal System #Kumagaya

Support and Inclusion: Art and Vegetable Sale in Kumagaya

On December 11, 2025, from 12:00 to 14:30, a vibrant sales event will unfold at the Pal System Kumagaya Center in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, spotlighting the creative endeavors of students from the Fukaya Habataki Special Needs School. This initiative is designed to foster mutual understanding by allowing students to engage directly with customers, showcasing their efforts in agriculture and crafts alongside staff individuals.

An Event of Growing Popularity

This sales event, now in its third year, has quickly become a cherished community highlight. Residents eagerly anticipate this occasion as they flock to the Kumagaya Center, which handles individual delivery packages. The bustling first-floor lobby transforms into a vibrant marketplace featuring unique items created by the students, such as pottery, woodworking, textile products, and fresh vegetables cultivated from the school’s garden, including broccoli, leeks, sweet potatoes, and cabbage. The initiative stems from the need of securing sales opportunities for students' work, particularly after the pandemic impacted traditional sales channels. The collaboration with Pal System Saitama, which has its delivery base within the center, has been instrumental in making this event a reality.

Empowering Future Employment

The sales event serves a dual purpose by introducing students to a potential workplace and integrating them within a supportive professional environment. Many graduates of Fukaya Habataki Special Needs School are already active members of the workforce at the Center’s assembly line, contributing significantly to daily operations. A practical training program for first-year students is scheduled to commence in the new year, further extending their exposure to real-world job scenarios.

The concept for the sales event arose from conversations with a school educator who highlighted the reduced opportunities for showcasing students’ work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, the Pal System Kumagaya Center has maintained an open and ongoing communication channel with the school to exchange information and strengthen collaboration.

Building Understanding in the Workplace

Since 2020, Pal Line Inc., responsible for the logistics of the Pal System group, has actively encouraged the employment of individuals with disabilities by distributing a comprehensive employment manual to all employees. To ease any anxieties associated with workplace integration, the company has launched training programs that facilitate a deeper understanding of various situations encountered by colleagues. They have appointed specialized job coaches across all 12 offices to support job retention and created opportunities for employees to gain qualifications as job supporters, exceeding 220 trained staff members who wear badges symbolizing their commitment to understanding and supporting individuals with disabilities.

With over 3,000 employees in a structured support system, currently, 84 individuals with disabilities are thriving in various roles at the Center, including in product and catalog assembly.



In addition to supporting individuals with disabilities, Pal Line also embraces people facing various challenges, such as long-term unemployed individuals and those in financial distress. Their workplace facilitates the development of understanding and support among all employees, fostering an inclusive environment.

A Commitment to Community

The Pal System group is dedicated to nurturing relationships among individuals from diverse backgrounds, solidifying their ongoing commitment to creating a community where everyone can thrive. As the 2025 International Year of Cooperatives approaches, initiatives such as this art and vegetable sale signify a step towards true inclusivity.

For more information, visit Pal Line’s Official Website or Pal System.