Good Circles, Good Stories, Good Harmony

Today, and July 1st annually, is Good 'WA' Day いいWAの日 in Japan. It is a day to celebrate inclusion and the idea that everyone should be able to participate, regardless of age, nationality, gender, or disability. The name comes from the Inclusive World Association (IIWA) in Fujisawa, whose mission is to spread the idea of “いい輪・いい話・いい和”; good circles, good stories, and good harmony.

The day has a deeply personal origin. IIWA was inspired by the experiences of Kotomi, who lives with Tourette syndrome, and her son Tokia, who was born with a severe disability. Their family simply wanted a place where all three of them could play together, but accessible parks were almost nonexistent in Japan. Discovering the concept of inclusive parks, spaces where disabled and non‑disabled children can play side by side, led to the creation of IIWA and eventually this commemorative day.

Japan’s first inclusive park opened only in Fujisawa (Kanagawa) in 2020, and progress has been slow. いいWAの日 is a reminder that inclusion isn’t just an idea, it’s something families need in everyday life.

Photo: a round net swing in Saitama Prefecture - not fully inclusive, but it is an inclusive-friendly or "co-play" swing