*Information confirmed and partially updated on February 27, 2026.*
"I want Awaji Island to be a place where people continue to support each other's dreams."
These words come from Mr. Kimura, who has muscular dystrophy, and his caregiver, Mr. Kubota.
While they are a user and a caregiver, they are also partners in their activities. They constantly think about and act on what can excite those around them.
In 2024, they plan to climb Mount Fuji in a wheelchair, always taking on new challenges. They say that the challenges are enjoyable because they face them together. After overcoming many hardships, nothing makes them happier than laughing and drinking the night away.
Sometimes they laugh, sometimes they clash. How did these two, who have built such a barrier-free relationship, meet and start their activities? We also explored the thoughts they wish to convey through their continuous challenges.
1. Who are "Kimura and Kubota"?
The author once visited Awaji Island for a two-day, one-night trip, introduced by Makoto Ishizuka, who was previously featured on Ayumi.
You can find Makoto Ishizuka's article
Physically, Awaji Island is not barrier-free. However, there was a barrier-free space around Mr. Kimura and Mr. Kubota.
They warmly welcomed me, who requires assistance in all aspects of daily life, and I had a great time. In that space, it felt more like helping a friend than providing care.
What impressions do these two have of each other?
[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewees: Mr. Kimura, Mr. Kubota]
Akaishi: What kind of person is Mr. Kubota to you, Mr. Kimura?
Mr. Kimura: Mr. Kubota originally worked as an occupational therapist, and even then, he was always thinking about how to make people happy. Now, he challenges himself beyond the realm of welfare. Also, he eats a lot, haha.
He is my caregiver, but we started as colleagues and friends, and now he's like family and a partner in pursuing the same goals.
Akaishi: On the other hand, what kind of person is Mr. Kimura to you, Mr. Kubota?
Mr. Kubota: To put it simply, Mr. Kimura is a father of two with muscular dystrophy and serves as the head of a Tenrikyo church.
His personality is very much like a protagonist. He has a strong core and can boldly express what he wants to do, even if it seems difficult.
To me, he is the person I imagine being with at the end of my life. I don't know which of us will pass away first, but I feel like I'll be there at his final moments.
He's a good friend and partner, full of human quirks like complaining when drunk.
2. The Origin Story of "Kubokimu's Exciting Challenge"
2-1. The Sudden Physical Changes in Mr. Kimura
Akaishi: When were you diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Mr. Kimura?
Mr. Kimura: It started with a strange feeling in my calves, making it difficult to walk. I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of 23 after undergoing tests.
Now, it's difficult for me to stand or sit, so I live my daily life with Mr. Kubota's support.
However, muscular dystrophy is a progressive disease, and I've been told that eventually, my entire body will become immobile.
Akaishi: What did you think when you received the diagnosis?
Mr. Kimura: Actually, I suspected it might be muscular dystrophy even before the diagnosis. But the muscular dystrophy I knew about developed in elementary school and didn't allow for a long life.
In reality, there are various types of muscular dystrophy, and fortunately, mine isn't life-threatening. I felt a huge sense of relief, like I had been given a second chance at life.
Akaishi: When did you start using a wheelchair?
Mr. Kimura: Quite recently. After the diagnosis, I started working as a school staff member, using a cane at that time.
When I moved to Awaji Island after getting married and started working at the hospital where I met Mr. Kubota, I fell and broke my leg. Since then, I've been using a wheelchair to be cautious.
2-2. The Words Mr. Kubota Said to Mr. Kimura
Akaishi: Did you become friends with Mr. Kubota soon after you started working?
Mr. Kubota: Mr. Kimura worked in administration, and I was an occupational therapist, so we had no connection and were just colleagues at first.
The trigger was the impact of COVID-19.
At the time, I lived in a dormitory, but as COVID-19 spread, restrictions were placed on healthcare workers' movements, and contact with colleagues in the dorm was also prohibited.
As personal freedom was restricted, stress built up, and when colleagues began to resign, I felt a sense of crisis, thinking, "Healthcare workers can't sustain this."
Then, I thought, "If we become roommates and live together, it shouldn't be a problem," and started to take action.
And instead of just renting a room, I thought it would be more fun to DIY an old house and live there, so I decided to ask staff in the hospital for property information.
The first person I asked was Mr. Kimura. He agreed to rent me a property, and our interactions increased from there.
So initially, Mr. Kimura was my landlord.
Akaishi: How did you end up working together?
Mr. Kimura: Before meeting Mr. Kubota, I wasn't the type to go out much.
It might have been partly due to my personality, but I might have also been using my illness as an excuse. As a church leader, I was struggling with management, and my immobility made going out even more daunting.
At that time, Mr. Kubota told me, "Even if there are many people in need, they can't come to this church if they don't know about it. So let's make an effort to connect with various people ourselves."
From there, I started going out more actively, and our activities expanded. Mr. Kubota even helped me with my rehabilitation as a church leader, haha.
2-3. From Friends to Dedicated Caregiver
Akaishi: Why did you become a caregiver, Mr. Kubota?
Mr. Kubota: Initially, we didn't even know about intensive home care.
We learned about it from the Awaji Island Social Welfare Council and attended a forum on self-recommended helpers using intensive home care.
There, we first learned that self-recommended helpers are "helpers hired exclusively by one user, who trains them themselves."
We had been practicing this without knowing it.
At that time, I was spending almost all my time outside of hospital work with Mr. Kimura, so becoming his self-recommended helper would secure my income and allow us to work together more. In June 2022, I officially became his caregiver.
Akaishi: Did becoming a caregiver change your relationship?
Mr. Kubota: Not at all.
For me, I try to separate my time between being a caregiver and a friend, but being friends doesn't change even during work. I enjoy working while having dinner with Mr. Kimura's family or going to the public bath together.
