The Best Duo "Kimura & Kubota" Who Surpass the Concept of Intensive Home Care

*Information was verified on February 27, 2026, and some parts have been updated with the latest information.

"I want Awaji Island to be a place where people continue to support each other's dreams."

These are the words of 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 what can excite those around them and take action.

In 2024, they plan to climb Mt. Fuji in a wheelchair. They say that challenges are fun because they are together. After overcoming many hardships, nothing makes them happier than laughing heartily 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 delved into the thoughts they wish to convey through their continuous challenges.

1. Who Are "Kimura and Kubota"?

The writer once visited Awaji Island for a two-day, one-night trip, introduced by Makoto Ishizuka, who was previously featured on Ayumi.

You can find the article on Makoto Ishizuka

Physically, Awaji Island is not barrier-free. However, around Mr. Kimura and Mr. Kubota, there was a barrier-free space.

They warmly welcomed me, who requires assistance in all aspects of daily life, and I had a great time. In that space, I felt it was 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 various things beyond the scope of welfare. Also, he eats a lot, haha.

He is my caregiver, but we started as colleagues and friends, and now he feels like family and a partner with whom I share 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 core, and even if something seems difficult, he can boldly express what he wants to do.

To me, he is someone I want to be with at the end of my life. I don't know who will pass away first, but I feel like I'll definitely be there at the end.

He's a good friend and a good partner, full of human warmth, even when he grumbles when drunk.

2. The Birth Story of "Kubokimu's Exciting Challenge"

2-1. The Sudden Physical Change in Mr. Kimura

Akaishi: When were you diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, Mr. Kimura?

Mr. Kimura: It started with discomfort in my calf, making it difficult to walk, and at 23, I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy after a test.

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 am told that eventually, my entire body will become immobile.

Akaishi: What did you think when you received the diagnosis?

Mr. Kimura: Actually, before the diagnosis, I suspected it might be muscular dystrophy. But the muscular dystrophy I knew of started in elementary school and didn't allow for a long life.

In reality, there are various types of muscular dystrophy, and in my case, fortunately, it wasn't life-threatening, which was a huge relief. It felt like I had been given a chance to live.

Akaishi: When did you start using a wheelchair?

Mr. Kimura: Quite recently. After the diagnosis, I started working as a school staff member, and at that time, I only used a cane.

After getting married, I moved to Awaji Island and started working at a hospital where I met Mr. Kubota. I fell and broke my leg, and since then, I've been using a wheelchair as a precaution.

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 was in the office, and I was an occupational therapist, so we had no interaction and were just colleagues at first.

The trigger for our connection was COVID-19.

At the time, I was living in a dormitory, but after COVID-19 spread, movement restrictions were imposed on healthcare workers, and contact with colleagues in the dormitory 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 won't last like this."

Then, I thought, "If we become roommates and live together, it shouldn't be a problem," and started taking action.

Moreover, instead of just renting a room, I thought it would be fun to renovate an old house and enjoy it, so I decided to ask around for property information from the hospital staff.

The first person I asked was Mr. Kimura. He agreed to rent me his property, and from there, our interactions increased.

So, initially, Mr. Kimura was my landlord.

Akaishi: How did you come to work together?

Mr. Kimura: Until I met Mr. Kubota, I wasn't the type to go out much.

It might have been due to my personality, or perhaps I was using my illness as an excuse. As a church leader, I was struggling with management, and my inability to move made going out even more burdensome.

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 on our own."

From there, I started going out more actively, and our activities expanded. Mr. Kubota also 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 the existence of intensive home care.

We learned about it from the Awaji Island Social Welfare Council and participated in a forum on self-recommended helpers using intensive home care.

There, we learned for the first time that self-recommended helpers are "where one user hires a dedicated helper and trains the helper themselves."

We were unknowingly practicing it.

At that time, I was almost always with Mr. Kimura outside of hospital working hours, so I thought that if I became Mr. Kimura's self-recommended helper, I could secure an income and work together more. So, in June 2022, I officially became a caregiver.

Akaishi: Did your relationship change after becoming a caregiver?

Mr. Kubota: Not at all.

For me, I try to separate time between being a caregiver and a friend, but even during work, being friends doesn't change. I enjoy working while having dinner with Mr. Kimura's family or going to the public bath together.

3. Activities of "Kimura and Kubota"

3-1. "Fireworks That Give Hope to People"