Seeing through a falseness in welfare policy

Takenaka

How have you acquainted each other?

Noda

I first met him at a general meeting of the Gifu Branch of Japan Muscular Dystrophy Association, Corp. in my hometown Gifu. He was with his father who was the director of the Association. His father told me that Yoshihiro was willing to become a secretary.

Kaiya

That's right. I was studying at Graduate School of University of California at Berkeley majoring public policies, and was returned home for studying politics as I was given a task to study elsewhere. I was looking for Japanese politics as I thought I would come back to Japan after school anyway.

Noda

I simply answered yes. I did not feel anything different as I was already hiring Mr. Mori, a challenged secretary with cerebral palsy. I asked Mr. Kaiya to join me as he was excellent and I expected him to see through the falseness in welfare policies by the Ministry of Welfare at that time. Thus, he became my policy secretary.

Takenaka

What did you do as a secretary?

Noda

I asked him to accompany me for hearing at Ministry of Health ,Labor and Welfare. He summarized the hearing and made a report on the future welfare policies

Seiko Noda

Born in Fukuoka Prefecture in 1960. Graduated from Foreign Language School, Sophia University. Elected to Gifu Prefectural Assembly in 1987. Member, Lower of House since 1993.

(Gifu District 1) 1996 Vice Minister, Postal Services 1998 Minister, Posts and Telecommunications.

Lower House Committee on Health, Labor and Welfare. Vice Chair, Policy Research Council, LDP(in charge of Ministry of Public Management and Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications)

Takenaka

What is Mr. Mori doing?

Noda

He has been with us for 7-8 years already. At first he was managing member lists at my Gifu Office using PC. He is now in Tokyo following his father's transfer. As it is too much for him to commute, he is now working at home.

Takenaka

Using PC for 7-8 years ?

Noda

Yes. It was an amazing thing at that time. In spite of his talented skills what he was doing at that time was to earn 7,000-8,000yen monthly by printing papers at a obstetric facility. I thought it's a pity for his intelligence and talent.. I offered him considering his capabilities.

Takenaka

Keep using PC?

Noda

That's right. Actually, it was his group led me to the world of PC. It was only PC communication and no internet at that time, but I was so inspired with them and addicted.

One of the group members was seriously disabled and I could hardly hear him at first. However, I found him a normal boy through an Internet chat room. I thought that was quite a device, and they could eliminate prejudice and discrimination. We apt to judge people by their appearance, gender, age, disabilities, and so on. It was a big surprise to find that in PC world there is no such discrimination and everything seemed fair and equal.

Takenaka

Eleven years ago we were also deeply impressed with PC. We have established our Prop Station. Mr. Kaiya, how do you use PC?

Kaiya

I do a lot of website hunting and e-mails, and use office softwares. I also use PowerPoint for my lectures. I've been using PC for a long time.

Takenaka

How long?

Kaiya

Since I was at 6th grade at elementary school. I started with PC6001. My parents bought it for me when they knew I was muscular dystrophy. Do you know PC6001 ?

Takenaka

Oh, that's maniac !

Kaiya

But I did not go into the world of PC.

Born in Gifu Prefecture in 1970. Have been with wheelchair since 14 years old by muscular dystrophy. Went to the U.S. alone after graduated from Kwansei Gakuin University in 1993. Acquired Master's Degree in Public Policy at University of California at Berkeley. Studied politics as a policy secretary to Ms. Seiko Noda when he was back home temporarily. After he returned home he has established Japan Barrier-free Association.

No support granted to whom most required.

Noda

What helps me most is his grumbling. They tell us what the most significant point in welfare for the challenged are.. I always remember what he said. He doesn't like to say "I'm sorry." to be helped.. Although I did not know that mentality, I fully understand when I consider his situation..

Takenaka

Charged supporter "attendant" is popular in the U.S. It is free to express what you want by paying the charges.

Mr. Kaiya, have you been affected in such an environment in America?

Kaiya

I think so. In America you decide what you want, and this is most important. I have been accustomed with this way of thinking and I often feel that is the better solution after I came home.

Takenaka

What are your points in Japanese welfare that require immediate attention ?

Kaiya

I feel that human resources and monetary supports are not distributed to those who need the most. There must be a way utilizing those supports most effectively. I often realize the reverse effect which may shut up and kill the person

Takenaka

Precisely. That is the point I really want to change with Seiko-San. A support which may bring out hidden talent of the challenged must be called "welfare."

Noda

It is easier for a controller to put the people with disabilities into a frame and handle as "disabled." By doing this they have discriminated those challenged from the abled people. It has created a concept that they are offering protection and taking care of them while the challenged do not want such cares. This means those superior and talented people like Mr. Kaiya and Mr. Mori cannot receive fair treat in respect of their talent. This is what I call "national tragedy." We have to improve the environment so that they may work with pride and are treated equally.

Nami Takenaka

Chairperson, Prop Station Born 1948 in Kobe. Have been devoted more than twenty years in welfare activities related to the challenged as her daughter is seriously disabled. Founded a nonprofit organization named "Prop Station" in 1991 to support people with disabilities by offering IT based trainings for their skills for job opportunities. Approved by the Ministry of Welfare in 1999 as a social welfare organization.

The risk-free challenged

Takenaka

Mr. Kaiya, you've reformed your house for multipurpose use as your residence, workshop and the office of Japan Barrier-free Association(NPO). Right?

Kaiya

That's right. In my case I need to be lifted, put up and take a lot more time and require more ideas for moving.

Noda

Why don't you put them into business? There are subsidies on barrier-free housing, and you may become a consultant ! And, when you made money give me a political donation. (laugh)

Takenaka

That will be a good idea. Prop Station has been handling SOHO and telecommutings, and how you can convert your residence as workshop can be a big subject to take up. The facility,too. It is considered as the place where the people unable to work receive nursing care, but we should change it as the place where people may continue working while receiving care services..

Noda

That's right. Those facilities won't be improved unless the challenged offer consultation. For instance, a handrail designed by a professional designer is too thick to hold while the challenged people prefer thinner one as their grip is weakened. Such point can not be realized by other people unless you are aware of such disability.

Takenaka

Seiko-San, what are your expectations on Mr. Kaiya?

Noda

I want him to become a taxpayer soon. We should change our society so that the challenged may secure his/her own risk-free livelihood. He is supported by many others, intelligent and talented. I hope that he will give hope and dream to other challenged people, and encourage them through his activities as the challenged.

Takenaka

How about yourself?

Kaiya

Yes, I'll do my best.

Noda

Well, you are still young and want to play a lot more, aren't you?(laugh) I don't want him to give others a segregated impression as living in another world because of his works .

Takenaka

No principles only. We should become honest and real friends. Thank you for your valuable talks.