Ten years ago, the Tsukui Yamayuri En care center in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, became the site of the most severe massacre of disabled people in postwar Japanese history. The incident claimed the lives of numerous residents and deeply shook public opinion about how society treats this vulnerable group.
At a memorial ceremony held shortly after the incident, a family member of one of the victims addressed the crowd. Their message was not just about the pain of loss but also a reminder of the responsibility borne by those standing on the sidelines.
This opinion piece from Kyodo News argues that those who consider themselves advocates and defenders of disabled people sometimes fall into the trap of moral self-satisfaction. They are quick to condemn the perpetrator and assert the righteousness of their stance, yet rarely ask themselves: do they truly understand and respect disabled people as equals, or do they view them through a lens of pity and difference?
According to the author, a sense of "righteousness" without deep self-reflection can inadvertently perpetuate the very prejudices society claims it wants to eradicate. Therefore, every advocate must continuously question their motives, attitudes, and actions, avoiding turning the protection of the vulnerable into a form of self-display.
Ten years have passed, but the lessons from the Yamayuri En massacre remain as relevant as ever. Those lessons are about listening, humility, and building a truly inclusive society—one where everyone is valued and respected, not just in words but in everyday actions and thoughts.
