A society of individuality and flexibility: Disabled people’s fundamental ideas as Japanese diversity management

Abstract

A society of individuality and flexibility: Disabled people’s fundamental ideas as Japanese diversity management

In Japan, there is a famous social welfare cooperation that is called “Taiyou no ie,” Japan Sun Industries. It was originally established for disabled people in 1965 by Dr. Nakamura for their integration into society, participation in sports and coordination of self-support. It was definitely a landmark idea in rehabilitation since Japanese society is prone to collectively follow fixed ideas. Nevertheless, Dr. Nakamura tried to introduce individuality and flexibility in order to build up real self-esteem in people with disabilities. Individuality and flexibility were the main differences between the disabled and non-disabled when it comes to surviving in their difficult conditions. Dr. Nakamura was the forerunner of diversity management. After his pioneering work, there are nowadays a number of similar companies and institutions in Japan. Moreover, there are governmental support systems of employment for both the companies and the disabled. Notwithstanding, there is still stagnadtion in employment of disabled people because of insufficient mutual understanding.