July 2, 2012
A childcare center opened on July 1 at Tama-Zenshoen, the national sanatorium for Hansen’s disease, in Higashimurayama City, Tokyo.
The Act on Promotion of Resolution of Issues Related to Hansen’s Disease, enacted in 2008, calls for the use of sanatorium facilities by nearby residents.
An opening ceremony held on the same day was taken part in by 140 people, including Zenshoen residents, operators of childcare centers, Welfare Minister Komiyama Yoko, and Higashimurayama Mayor Watanabe Takashi.
Shinbo Shoji, representing a social welfare corporation which will operate the childcare center, said, “We are happy to be able to take part in the opening of a new page in Zenshoen’s history.”
Sagawa Osamu, chair of Zenshoen’s residents association, said, “The average age of the 251 residents, who were not allowed to have their own children, is 83. We do not have much time left, but from now on, we will be able to listen to children’s energetic voice and enjoy life.”
The childcare facility has large windows and a patio which will allow residents and children to communicate with each other.
The Act on Promotion of Resolution of Issues Related to Hansen’s Disease, enacted in 2008, calls for the use of sanatorium facilities by nearby residents.
An opening ceremony held on the same day was taken part in by 140 people, including Zenshoen residents, operators of childcare centers, Welfare Minister Komiyama Yoko, and Higashimurayama Mayor Watanabe Takashi.
Shinbo Shoji, representing a social welfare corporation which will operate the childcare center, said, “We are happy to be able to take part in the opening of a new page in Zenshoen’s history.”
Sagawa Osamu, chair of Zenshoen’s residents association, said, “The average age of the 251 residents, who were not allowed to have their own children, is 83. We do not have much time left, but from now on, we will be able to listen to children’s energetic voice and enjoy life.”
The childcare facility has large windows and a patio which will allow residents and children to communicate with each other.
