※Information was confirmed and partially updated on February 20, 2026.
This time, we spoke with Ryota Kawasaki, the director of "CIL Hikari" in Kagoshima Prefecture, and his wife, Hitomi, who shares their life together and continues to post content that resonates with many people.
1. Who is Mr. Kawasaki?
[Interviewer (Writer): Yafuso / Interviewees: Ryota Kawasaki & Hitomi Kawasaki]
1-1. Struggling with the Belief that "Independence Means Working"
Yafuso: I heard that after graduating from a special needs school, you worked at a senior facility. Could you tell us about the process of getting the job and the situation at that time?
Kawasaki: When choosing my path, I had three options: going to university, getting a job, or continuing to live in a long-term care ward. I thought, "It's a progressive disease, and even if I go to university, I don't know what will happen, so I want to work while I can move."
I personally believed that "because I have a disability, I have to work harder than others" and "working is independence," so I decided to pursue employment.
Yafuso: Did you also have a strong desire to "be closer to ordinary people"?
Kawasaki: I think it was quite strong. Until junior high, I hardly interacted with friends who had disabilities, so I thought that after high school, I would work like everyone else.
Yafuso: I see. Did your perspective on "working as independence" change over time?
Kawasaki: It did. At the time, my physical condition was the same as it is now, and I needed almost constant assistance, but I could only use helper support for about four hours a day.
I lived in an apartment on the same premises as the facility where I worked, so I was allowed to call a senior staff member on night duty at another facility if needed, but I was hesitant to ask for help.
Yafuso: So you lived a life where you refrained from asking for necessary assistance and endured physical discomfort while continuing to work. What prompted the change in your thinking?
Kawasaki: There was a time when I had an accident in the bathroom. From that moment, I started to think, "What am I doing?" In hindsight, it was a turning point in reconsidering how I worked. It was a sense of discomfort in working like ordinary people.
When I decided to leave the facility, they told me, "You can work shorter hours," which I now realize was reasonable accommodation, but at the time, when I was 19-20 years old, I could only perceive it as "being treated specially." So I chose to resign.
1-2. The Path to Becoming the Director of "CIL Hikari" and Personal Changes
Yafuso: What led you to start working at "CIL Hikari" and eventually become its director?
Kawasaki: In high school, I participated in a stay-over experience organized by "NPO Independent Living Center Tekuteku" (hereafter, Tekuteku). It was a program to experience what independent living is like.
After leaving my previous job, I returned to live with my family while reconnecting with the staff at Tekuteku and began preparing for independent living.
A year later, I was able to live independently and had time, so I started visiting Tekuteku's office. I helped with events and participated in training sessions, engaging in volunteer-like activities.
After about 5-6 years of such days, I started working as a staff member at Tekuteku and got involved in its operations. About three years later, the then-representative passed away, and that led to me becoming the representative.
Yafuso: I see. It was a position you took on after building a trusting relationship with Tekuteku. Did becoming the director bring any changes to you personally?
Kawasaki: Compared to just working, the responsibility is heavier. Plus, if I don't take the initiative to improve things, each day will pass by without anything happening, and it could end up in a negative way.
Yafuso: Do you also handle consultations from individuals?
Kawasaki: Yes, I do. I meet with people who wish to live independently, think through the process with them, and conduct stay-over experiences. That's the kind of work I do.
Yafuso: There may be many people who want to be independent but don't know how to proceed.
Kawasaki: Some people don't know how to move forward, so we think through even the smallest questions together.
It's easy to convey things from our side, but at "CIL Hikari," we believe it's important for individuals to think about and understand what independent living is, so we prioritize thinking together.
Yafuso: Some might misunderstand and think, "If I go for a consultation, they'll do everything for me." It's a reminder that it's not the case.
Kawasaki: Exactly. Even if you start living alone, not everything is easy or simple.
So, rather than treating them as "customers" receiving a service, we value engaging in a way that allows us to grow together.
1-3. Society and Challenges Seen from the Perspective of Independent Living Support
Yafuso: How do you perceive societal changes as someone who observes independent living support on the ground?
Kawasaki: The atmosphere in society is such that promoting independent living for people with disabilities is no longer seen as something special.
When someone says they want to live independently, it's rarely discouraged anymore. I think that's a good thing.
However, on the other hand, I feel there are aspects where individuals are deprived of gaining life experiences.
It's like they are treated as entities without autonomy even when they are out in society.
For instance, helpers might do everything for them.
Even though they live in an apartment, they might have to sleep at designated times or can't choose their meals.
Without a "foundation of rights awareness" that allows individuals to see these things as strange, they might just think, "It's better than being in a facility."
While I don't deny that, to become more human and take ownership of one's life, those around must respect the individual's autonomy.
Yafuso: I see. It seems that support providers need to engage in ways that draw out the individual's autonomous actions.
Kawasaki: Yes, it would be great if all organizations could do that more proactively.
In the first place, individuals haven't had the experience of "deciding," so support that involves individuals taking their time is important.
2. The Important Family Supporting Mr. Kawasaki
2-1. The Path to Marriage and Inner Struggles
Yafuso: Did you face any struggles or challenges when you two decided to get married?
Hitomi: Initially, I might have struggled more with the idea of having a caregiver constantly by my husband's side. We often discussed "how to ensure privacy." That was probably the most talked-about topic between us.
I knew that physically, it would be difficult for me to live while providing care, so we talked extensively about continuing the "24-hour caregiver-assisted independent living" my husband had been doing while being married. That's where our marriage differs from a typical one.
Yafuso: How do you balance living with a caregiver included?
Hitomi: As part of our marriage preparations, we chose a house with a layout that includes a room where a helper can wait when needed.
When necessary, we ask the helper to assist, and during meals, they stay in the waiting room.
Yafuso: I see. Eating meals with someone other than family present can be nerve-wracking, even if they're a helper.
Hitomi: At first, having someone other than family enter the house felt burdensome. New helpers come in, so there's a turnover of people.
But now, I find living with different people interesting.
Of course, I don't completely let my guard down, but I've become comfortable eating meals together. I think we've found a good balance.
2-2. What Are the Efforts in Married Life?
Yafuso: Hitomi, you've accepted many things despite the struggles...!
Hitomi: We've always talked things out whenever we faced difficulties, which is why we're here now.
We probably have more situations where we need to discuss things than a typical couple.
Whether or not there's a disability, I think you can live by thinking, "I'll just endure it."
But for us, we couldn't move forward without discussing things, and I think that was beneficial.
No matter what happens in the future, we have a foundation of resolving things through discussion, so I feel we can just continue doing that.
Yafuso: That's wonderful! How about you, Mr. Kawasaki?
Kawasaki: I knew I would live with caregiver support, and I didn't want my wife to provide care, so it was challenging.
When we took a week off from having a caregiver, I got sick. At that time, it was tough for both of us, and we gradually ran out of energy.
So, in reality, there are times when we need a caregiver present. I think it's necessary for us to be equals.
Thanks to continuing to think together about "how to solve this?" rather than being bothered by having someone around, we can live as we do now. Without that, we might have fallen apart.
Hitomi: Indeed, if I had continued to be involved like a caregiver, we wouldn't have been able to maintain a "married couple" atmosphere. We couldn't have stayed lovey-dovey. (laughs)
2-3. The Happiness of Spending Time as a Family
Yafuso: Could you share any efforts you make in living with your child?
Kawasaki: I do what I can, like being a playmate or picking up and dropping off within my capabilities. I want to do what I can.
Hitomi: It's a big help. We're a stepfamily, so my son and husband have been together for about 4-5 years now. I tell my son, "Ask Ryota-kun for help when you need it," and "We're able to live because Ryota-kun is working," to help him see Ryota as a 'father'.
Yafuso: What moments make you feel happy as a family?
Kawasaki: Definitely when the three of us go out together. It feels special just doing that, and it's fun.
Hitomi: Usually, we have a 24-hour caregiver, but for my husband, caregivers are like juniors or colleagues, so I think he doesn't really get to relax.
Once a month, we make time to spend just the three of us. It's really nice during those times. It's like, "Yay!" (laughs)
Yafuso: It sounds like you have your own family vibe when it's just the three of you. (laughs)
Kawasaki & Hitomi: We do. (laughs)
