This time, we introduce the General Incorporated Association HI FIVE and its representative, Ryoka Hatakeyama. If you have something you want to challenge but lack the courage to take the next step, this article will give you the push you need, so please read to the end.
*Information was confirmed and partially updated on March 13, 2026.
1. What is the General Incorporated Association HI FIVE?
A company aiming to achieve borderless communication, regardless of disabilities.
The representative is Ryoka Hatakeyama. At 10 months old, Hatakeyama was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy due to hypoxic brain injury. What image comes to mind when you hear the term "cerebral palsy"?
Many might have negative images like it being difficult or having many limitations.
However, Hatakeyama is different. While in high school, they challenged themselves with solo camping, paragliding, and a wheelchair hitchhiking trip without an assistant! Through these experiences, they conceived the idea of "Ikipro: Work that only I, with a disability, can do" and established the General Incorporated Association HI FIVE (hereafter: HI FIVE) in 2018.
2. Ryoka Hatakeyama's Records of Perseverance
2-1. Solo Camping
Driven by the thought "I want to travel around Japan in a wheelchair," Hatakeyama challenged themselves to solo camping. They spent a night in a tent with a companion recruited via social media, and it was reportedly a tough challenge.
2-2. Paragliding
"I don't want people to give up on what they want to do because of a disability," with this strong belief, Hatakeyama took on paragliding. Watching them fly, feeling the wind all over their body, is truly inspiring.
Please check out this video.
2-3. Wheelchair Hitchhiking Trip Without an Assistant
Since elementary school, Hatakeyama dreamed of traveling alone and hitchhiked from Hanshin Himejima Station to Kyoto Arashiyama. The 9-hour journey taught them the warmth of people, the importance of trust, and the value of acting without preconceived notions.
3. HI FIVE's Initiatives
3-1. Ikipro: The Living Textbook Project
Hatakeyama themselves serve as the learning material, or "Living Textbook," conducting training, internships, and lectures.
"I have speech impairment due to physical paralysis. It's precisely because of my words that I can teach something."
"What can I do precisely because I have a disability? Can I turn not being able to speak or move into value?"
Ikipro was born from Hatakeyama's thoughts.
Through encounters with Hatakeyama, the "Living Textbook," you can gain joy and a sense of accomplishment by recognizing and accepting each other's differences.
3-2. GOKAN Therapy Program
As a specialized experiential therapy system for children with disabilities, this program targets children with physical and developmental disabilities, utilizing all five senses in experiential therapy work.
This program serves as a guide for on-site staff, expanding the possibilities for each child through the program.
Devised by HI FIVE's representative director, Orie Hatakeyama, it includes GOKAN therapy staff training to support facility staff in providing optimal therapy.
In addition to staff training, they are also engaged in lecture activities.
4. Ongoing Crowdfunding "Ikipro 2.0: I Will Become a University Lecturer!"
"I can't move, I can't speak, but I can convey." This is a project to document the journey of aspiring to become a university lecturer.
Through this project, Hatakeyama challenges themselves to convey their thoughts independently without relying on supporters.
Furthermore, by working as a university lecturer despite having a severe physical disability, they take a significant step towards a society where it is normal for people with disabilities to seek meaningful work.
The curtain has risen on an unprecedented challenge of a person with a severe physical disability aiming to become a university lecturer.
The initial goal of 3.3 million yen was achieved in 14 days after launch, and they continue to strive for the next goal of 5 million yen and 500 supporters!
*This crowdfunding has now ended.
5. In Conclusion
How did you find the article about HI FIVE and its representative, Ryoka Hatakeyama, that we introduced this time?
The activities of Hatakeyama and HI FIVE encourage us not to give up on what we want to do and to take on challenges.
We cannot take our eyes off the activities of Hatakeyama and HI FIVE, who are advancing towards a society where everyone can nurture the seeds of challenge and take on challenges as their hearts desire.
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