Nippon Charity Kyokai is dedicated to helping people (including children) with disabilities and the elderly connect with society through art and sports. Today, we spoke with Managing Director Takagi.

What inspired you to start Nippon Charity Kyokai?

In 1964, the Tokyo Paralympic Games brought media attention to sports for people with disabilities for the first time. However, the support for people with disabilities primarily focused on essential life needs, and there was limited understanding of the "cultural" aspects, such as sports and art. In response to calls from various disability organizations and individuals emerging at the time, my late father, Kinji Takagi, established the foundation to promote art and culture for people with disabilities and to support their social participation. Since then, we have supported a range of arts and cultural activities. Through para-art initiatives, which welcome participation from people across disability categories, including physical, intellectual, or mental disabilities, we have promoted self-improvement, self-expression, cultural exchange, and social participation among disabled artists. Our initiatives include the ParaArt School, launched in 1986 with the support of the painter Taro Okamoto, and the annual international exchange exhibition.

Scene of the ParaArt School

What have been the most rewarding aspects of your work?

I think continuing and expanding any initiative, not just disability support, is a challenging task, but seeing the results of sustained efforts over many years brings me the greatest joy. We see the gradual recognition of para-artists’ work through exhibitions and awards, and the children at our school not only improve their art skills but they also become more proactive and sociable as they gain recognition from others. These moments reaffirm the significance of our activities.

Scene of the ParaArt School

How are the donations from FIT being used?

Particularly in recent years, creating an environment that accommodates our diverse activities has been essential. With use of the web becoming part of daily life, we’ve applied these funds towards launching and operating a digital art class—a project which had been in demand but we could not afford until now. In this digital art class, students use loaned tablet devices to learn new artistic expressions that differ from traditional media like paints or pastels. Now there are increased opportunities to use computers and tablets at special needs schools, we hope this class will inspire interest in art, especially for children who may not have previously engaged with it.

How do you envision expanding your activities in the future?

For our ParaArt School, we see digital art as a response to the demands of the times. The importance of a school where para-artists can learn remains unchanged, but I think its format must evolve with the times. For example, students unable to physically attend could participate in lessons or receive guidance from instructors via digital tools. Digital art aligns well with digital tools, so we plan to leverage this compatibility to create a more inclusive system that allows more aspiring artists to participate.

Lastly, do you have a message for the readers of this article?

The unique works of para-artists offers those who view them new discoveries and inspiration. The annual ParaArt TOKYO International Exchange Exhibition and the Tokyo Comprehensive Art Exhibition for People with Disabilities are wonderful opportunities to encounter rare talents. I would warmly invite you to visit and enjoy the works on display, and while doing so, give some thought on how each work reflects the cumulative efforts of para-artists who have overcome their handicaps. As well as gaining an understanding for the significance of our work, we hope for your continued support in promoting the artistic and cultural activities of people with disabilities.

Artwork by students of the ParaArt School

Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Nippon Charity Kyokai
https://charitykyokai.or.jp/