Visit from Japanese Delegates: Sharing Knowledge on End-of-Life Care

Recently, the PCV team had the great pleasure of welcoming a delegation from Japan to our office. The group are currently visiting Melbourne and Sydney as part of a comparative international study on end-of-life care for people with intellectual disabilities. 

The delegation included Masaru Nagawa, President of SDM-Japan (Japan Network of Supported Decision Making), who is also a faculty member at the Institute of Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, specialising in disability welfare, advocacy, and supported decision-making. Accompanying him were two researchers Dr Masahiko Nemoto and Miyuki Muraoka from Nozominosono, the National Center for Persons with Severe Intellectual Disabilities, Toshihiko Mizushima, Attorney-at-Law from the Japan Legal Support Center, and Hiroko Kosugi, Certified Social Worker and Interpreter who also serves on the SDM-Japan Board.

The delegates are currently visiting Melbourne and Sydney as part of a comparative international study on end-of-life care for people with intellectual disabilities. While their primary focus is on disability-specific issues, they were also keen to gain a broader understanding of how end-of-life and palliative care is delivered in Victoria. They believe this wider perspective is essential for understanding how local systems, policies, and culture shape care practices.

During their time with us, the PCV team provided an overview of palliative care in Victoria and shared more detailed insights from the recently completed PCV-VALID project. The aim of the project was to empower and build capacity in Victorians with intellectual disability, their families and carers to understand palliative care, death, dying, grief and loss.

In return, one of the visiting researchers gave a brief overview of the current situation and challenges around palliative care in Japan. This exchange sparked thoughtful discussion and reflection on similarities and differences across our contexts.

It was an enriching and meaningful conversation, and we look forward to staying connected with our Japanese colleagues as we continue to share learning and strengthen international collaboration in this important area of care.