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Brief Biography of Mr. Kazuo Itoga |
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Mr. Kazuo Itoga was born in Tottori Prefecture on March 29, 1914.
After graduating from the Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Arts, Kyoto Imperial University (now Kyoto University) in March 1938, he joined Shiga Prefectural Government in January 1940 and served as manager of the Governor's Secretarial Office. |
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In November 1946, only one year after the end of World War II, Mr. Itoga
established Ohmi Gakuen, an educational and medical-care institution for
mentally disabled children, upon the earnest request of Mr. Taro Ikeda
and Mr. Ichiji Tamura. From that time he served the institution as its
principal, combating all sorts of challenges amid the post-war social turmoil. |
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In addition to Ohmi Gakuen, he founded several other welfare institutions,
including Biwako Gakuen, the first facility in Western Japan for children
with serious mental and physical disabilities. Moreover, he devoted himself
to building national welfare systems through his continuous service as
a member of the Central Child Welfare Council and Advisory Council on Welfare
for People with Mental Retardation, and as the director of the Japan Association
for the Education and Development of the Mentally Disabled.
Particularly noticeable is his contribution to building the groundwork
for Japan's welfare system for the disabled, including infant examination
systems to detect and treat disabilities at the earliest possible stage,
and education of many welfare leaders who subsequently contributed to the
development of welfare services throughout Japan. |
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Mr. Itoga firmly believed that society must support disabled children,
regardless of the degree of their disabilities, so that they may lead dignified
lives as human beings. Rather than suggesting "Let There Be Light
upon These Children," he insisted "Let These Children Be the
Light of the World." He advocated a new welfare concept that puts
emphasis on respect for disabled people's human rights. In Japan his belief
and approach won many supporters, who embody his spirit in their daily
devotion to welfare activities. |
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On September 17, 1968, Mr. Itoga suddenly fell to the floor while giving
a lecture to new staff at a children's welfare facility in Shiga Prefecture.
He passed away the next day, September 18, 1968. |
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His books include "Let These Children Be the Light of the World,"
"Education of Love and Empathy," "A Country Where Children
Need Not Study," "Vocational Training for Mentally Disabled Children,"
"Actual Situations and Problems of Mentally Disabled Children,"
and "Philosophy on Welfare." |
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