Interview with Yumepal Staff
We interviewed Akagi Kikuko, the director of Yumepal, about what kind of place Yumepal is and how she hopes residents will use its services.
A rare public consultation center nationwide, created in response to parents’ voices and “for parents”
Please tell us how Yumepal came to be established in Kurashiki City.
Akagi (honorific omitted)
Yumepal is a consultation center that supports parents, established in 2008 in response to parents’ voices.
There are institutions throughout Japan that connect children with disabilities or developmental concerns to welfare services, but there are still few institutions nationwide whose purpose is to support the challenges faced by the parents raising these children.
Kurashiki City has an organization dedicated to supporting parents raising children with disabilities or suspected disabilities. In response to requests from these parents, Yumepal was established as a public consultation center where they could easily seek advice.
It’s nice that the center is also open on Saturdays.
Akagi
Saturday is a convenient day for parents who work to visit. It gets busy, so an appointment is required.
There is also ample parking, so you can come by car.
People know it by its nickname, “Yumepal,” rather than its official name, Kurashiki City Comprehensive Child Development Consultation Center. I’d like to know how the nickname came about.
Akagi
“Yume” means “dream,” and “pal” means “friend,” and the two were combined to create “Yumepal.”
The nickname was chosen through a public contest.
Who is eligible to use Yumepal?
Akagi
Parents and family members of children under 18 are eligible.
Even if you do not currently have a disability certificate or a recipient certificate for “child development support” or “after-school day services,” please feel free to come talk to us if you are finding parenting difficult.
We can also provide information about other welfare and government services as needed.
Smooth coordination with both government and private welfare services
What roles are unique to a public institution?
Akagi
We also serve a role similar to a city hall service counter, where you can apply for the recipient certificates needed to use welfare services.
We also hold sessions to fill out the “Kagayaki Notebook,” where parents record their observations of their child’s growth and learning, with the cooperation of Parent Support Step, an organization that supports parents of children with disabilities.
At the parents’ request, the form was created jointly with Kurashiki City and the Kurashiki City Board of Education.
Most recently, in November 2025, we also held a private viewing event for families using Yumepal at the Kurashiki City Art Museum.
In this way, our role as a government institution is to respond to parents’ needs while coordinating with public agencies.
On the other hand, Yumepal does not diagnose children with disabilities. Diagnosis is provided at a hospital with a specialist physician.
However, a psychologist is always on staff and can assess your child’s strengths and areas for future growth from multiple perspectives, and work with you to consider key points in parenting. There is also a playroom in the consultation area, so you can bring your child with you.
Why does Yumepal support the “parents” of children with disabilities or developmental concerns?
Akagi
We believe that when parents living with children with disabilities or developmental concerns feel emotionally secure, it helps bring stability to those children’s lives.
We aim to create a society where parents do not have to shoulder everything alone and can raise their children in their community, by finding tips for interacting with their children and connecting with organizations that can support them throughout their parenting journey.
Our partner developmental support and educational institutions also work sincerely with the children and provide support to their parents, but we would like to help as well.
Anyone can seek advice at any time if they are having trouble with parenting, regardless of whether their child has a disability
Some people may find it difficult to seek advice because they don’t know when the right time to do so is.
Akagi
Any time is fine.
Please feel free to talk to us whenever you have concerns about your child’s development or are having trouble with parenting.
Around 2008, when Yumepal was established, many new visitors came when their children were about to start elementary school, but now we’re seeing more people seeking advice at an earlier age.
The fact that the children of visitors are younger than before may show that interest in developmental support is growing in Kurashiki City. We’re grateful that the number of people who come to Yumepal for advice is increasing every year, as it means people see Yumepal as a readily accessible consultation center.
Of course, our services are for children up to age 18, so you can also seek advice about difficulties that arise as your child grows.
For older children, we often hear from parents whose children refuse to go to school or frequently lie. Some people also return after a break in using Yumepal when new concerns arise as their child grows, such as further education or friendships.
Visitors are not only parents; grandparents also come to seek advice.
Do I have to bring my child with me to a consultation?
Akagi
For things like applying for a recipient certificate, you need to bring your child so we can verify their identity. For other matters, it is up to each family.
There is also a space where children can play when they come with you.
If it is difficult to visit in person, we also offer online consultations, so please ask when making an appointment.
Do you ever find it emotionally difficult to hear about the issues people bring to consultations?
Akagi
At Yumepal, staff share the details of consultations with one another every day. We don’t just share the details; we also have an atmosphere where we can freely share our observations with each other, such as, “Why not try saying it this way next time?” Rather than leaving each staff member to handle a consultation alone, we make sure that whoever takes the next consultation can respond appropriately.
We also value opportunities for regular professional training.
Extensive parenting support for parents and children with disabilities or developmental concerns
Yumepal also holds its own events in addition to providing consultation support. Could you tell us about some popular events you’ve held in the past?
Akagi
Our “Karugamo Camp,” a day camp held in autumn, is popular every year.
Participants have told us, “We feel hesitant about joining local groups like children’s clubs, but at Karugamo Camp, we don’t have to worry if our child runs around or has a panic attack, so we can come with peace of mind.”
Another popular leisure activity is “Fagiano Okayama Near the Pitch,” where participants can see the pitch’s grass up close. It became so popular after Fagiano Okayama was promoted to J1 that people now have to enter a lottery to attend.
It seems that participants find it easier to join because the other children there also need support.
Another event, “Sukippu Time,” is for parents and children who need developmental support but are on a waiting list. It seems to be a meaningful time, as local developmental support staff also take part.
Also, for parents who use Yumepal, parenting classes at local parenting support centers may not always be relevant to their own parenting. The “Parenting with Peace of Mind” series of classes is aimed at these parents and attracts many participants each time.
We want to provide support to those who need it, when they need it
What are your plans for the future?
Akagi
We want to make Yumepal known to the residents who need it.
The number of visitors is increasing every year, but I think there are families with infants and toddlers who do not attend nursery schools or kindergartens and may not know where to turn for advice.
We will continue to raise awareness of Yumepal so that more people can learn about it.
Do you have a message for our readers?
Akagi
Parenting is hard, whether things are going well or not. That’s why I encourage you to not face your worries alone and feel free to seek advice.
We are always here to support all parents.
From the Writer
I have had a hearing disability since birth.
As a young child, I took my difficulty hearing for granted and never compared myself with people who could hear, so at the time I did not experience much difficulty because of my hearing. However, my parents say that learning their child had a disability must have been a huge shock, and that they were deeply worried about my future.
There was a school that taught me how to use hearing aids and sign language, but raising a child who could not hear was unfamiliar territory for my parents, and they had to figure things out as they went.
I believe that services like Yumepal, which support parents and understand their feelings, are all the more necessary when children are very young.
If Yumepal continues to become known to those who need it, and even one fewer parent has to face the worries and anxieties of parenting alone, that will surely help bring smiles to children in the future.
Kurashiki City Comprehensive Child Development Consultation Center Yumepal Information
| Name | Kurashiki City Comprehensive Child Development Consultation Center Yumepal |
|---|---|
| Address | Window 7, 1st Floor, Kurashiki Health and Welfare Plaza, 180 Sasaoki, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-434-9882 |
| Website | Kurashiki City Comprehensive Child Development Consultation Center |
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