Interview with Doi Shuhei
We spoke with Doi Shuhei, representative of LLC 28, which operates Day Service Soda.
Why he chose day services after working at a hospital
What inspired you to start a day service?
Doi (honorific omitted)
I originally worked as a physical therapist at a hospital.
At a hospital, the time you can spend with each patient is inevitably limited, and you can’t see how they live after they leave the hospital.
As I wondered, “What kind of life will this person lead after returning home?” I decided to start a day service because I wanted a job where I could engage with people while understanding their values and lives.
I also felt it would be difficult to change a large organization from within, so I wanted to create something myself.
Why did you choose Soja City?
Doi
I spent my school years through high school in Kurashiki City, then moved to Hiroshima Prefecture to attend university. After becoming a working adult, I also lived in Aichi Prefecture. Having lived away from Okayama Prefecture since I was young, I wanted to return to my hometown someday, so I decided to look in the southern part of Okayama Prefecture.
Among the options, Soja City appealed to me because of its growing population, extensive welfare support, and warm community atmosphere. As I visited the area, I felt how close people are and how strong the ties to the community are, and decided to open my business here.
A care facility that brings out the feeling, “It’s fun once you come”
Are there people who feel reluctant or anxious about attending a day service?
Doi
Many people feel reluctant at first.
Some people haven’t been able to settle in at other day services, or say, “I’d rather not go if I can help it.” There are also cases where people come because they have nowhere else to go.
That’s why we value helping each person feel safe and know that it’s okay to be here.
What changes do you see after people start attending?
Doi
Many clients say, “The atmosphere is nice,” or “I feel at ease here.” Families sometimes tell us, “They smile more at home,” or “They’ve started doing housework on their own.”
It’s wonderful to see their everyday lives becoming more positive, not just the time they spend at the day service.
The joy of travel as an extension of care
What kind of travel support do you provide?
Doi
We plan trips and accompany travelers so that seniors and people with disabilities can go out with peace of mind. I obtained a national qualification related to travel, and we provide travel services as well as operating a care facility.
That’s because familiar staff who know the clients well can accompany them, creating an environment where they can enjoy traveling with peace of mind.
What kinds of people use your travel support?
Doi
Many of those who have used it had given up on traveling because of concerns about care or their health. We also hear from people in the general public who aren’t day service clients and say, “I’d just like help with a trip.”
I feel that travel becomes a goal in their daily lives and helps them feel more positive.
Building a town that moves people, starting with care
What does “care” mean to you, Doi?
Doi
I don’t think care is just about “making up for what someone can’t do”; it’s about being there for each person in their life and daily living.
I feel that taking on things they want to do and spending time engaging with people and society ultimately leads to emotional and physical well-being.
For me, care means believing in each person and supporting them as they live in their own way.
Are there any initiatives you’d like to take on in the future?
Doi
In the future, I’d like to bring our services to places closer to where people live, including residential care facilities and the homes of people who are unable to go out.
LLC 28, which operates Day Service Soda, values the principle of “building a town that moves people, starting with care.”
We want to continue taking on the challenge of providing care that allows people to keep living in their own way, while valuing their connections with the community, the things they want to do, and the stories of their lives.
From the Writer
Reporting on Day Service Soda’s work has slightly changed how I think about care.
It goes beyond supporting daily life: it means paying attention to each person’s life and values, and respecting their feelings of “I want to try” and “I like this.” I felt that these efforts, built up over time, help people live in their own way.
Even if I need care myself in the future, I think I could attend a place like this with a positive attitude. That’s how this place made me feel.
I hope Day Service Soda’s work will become more familiar and take root in the community.
The adjoining dagashi shop and bookstore are places anyone can drop into casually.
If you’re curious about the atmosphere of the facility, why not pick up some sweets or a book and experience it for yourself?
Day Service Soda details
| Name | Day Service Soda |
|---|---|
| Address | 3-1-14 Soja, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-33-0802 |
| Parking | Available From the Day Service Soda building, go straight south; it is the triangular lot just before the first traffic light on the left There is a “Soda” sign |
| Hours | Service hours: 9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Bookstore and dagashi shop: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. |
| Closed | Sunday Closed during Golden Week and the year-end/New Year holidays |
| Payment methods |
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| Website | Day Service Soda |
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