The Japanese delegation and APCD staff posed for group photo following the welcome remarks.

Mr. Piroon Laismit, Executive Director of APCD, delivered his welcome remarks to the Japanese delegation and highlighted APCD’s friendship with Mr. Yutaka Takamine, President of Empowerment Okinawa, who led the delegation.

Mr. Yutaka Takamine explained the purpose of the visit to APCD.

Delegates visited the “APCD 60+ Bakery & Chocolate Café and APCD 60+ Kitchen by CP project to observe disability-inclusive business initiatives in action and the study tour was led by Ms. Hiroko Itako, JOCV at APCD.

On 7 August 2025, the Asia-Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) warmly welcomed a 13-member delegation from the Japanese Association of Social Workers, led by Mr. Yutaka Takamine, President of Empowerment Okinawa. Mr. Takamine has been closely connected with APCD since its founding, having worked with the United Nations ESCAP at the time.

The visit began with welcome remarks from Mr. Piroon Laismit, APCD Executive Director, followed by an introduction to APCD’s mission and diverse approaches to supporting individuals with disabilities and communities, presented by Mr. Somchai Rungsilp, Manager of Community Development Department (CDD).

Delegates toured the “60+Plus” Program in collaboration with the Thai Yamazaki, MarkRin Chocolate and APCD 60+Plus Kitchen by C.P. operated the DIEB projects, an APCD initiative promoting disability-inclusive employment & business (DIEB), where they learned how decent job’s opportunities are created for persons with disabilities. The program provided a platform for sharing practical models and discussing inclusive economic empowerment and friendly working environments.

This visit marked a valuable step in strengthening mutual understanding and promoting future collaboration between Japan and Thailand in disability support and social work towards inclusiveness.