Shoji Nakanishi, Founder of Japan’s First Independent Living Centre, Dies Aged 80

By Barrier Free Japan

April 6 2025

TOKYO – The Japan Branch of Disabled Peoples’ International (DPI) has announced that Shoji Nakanishi, a former Chair and long‑serving Standing Committee member of DPI Japan, died on March 26, 2025. Nakanishi founded Japan’s first ‘Independent Living Centre’ in 1986.

Nakanishi founded Japan’s first independent living centre, the Human Care Association. Since then, as the head of the National Council of Independent Living Centres, he worked tirelessly to realize self‑directed living for persons with disabilities, making enormous contributions to the establishment and expansion of attendant care systems.

Within DPI Japan, he served as Chair and as Asia‑Pacific Block Chair, promoting the independent living movement across Asia. He supported the establishment of CILs (Centres for Independent Living) in South Korea, contributed to founding APCD (Asia‑Pacific Development Centre on Disability in Bangkok), and backed IL projects in South Africa, building a broad international network. 

Regarding end‑of‑life issues, he championed the concept of “dignified living” rather than “dignified death,” leading the “Dignified Living” subcommittee as its chair to combat eugenic ideas. His human‑rights–based advocacy had continually given hope and courage to many people with disabilities, both in Japan and abroad.