Nationwide Commemorative Caravan for the Book 'Beyond Welfare: Earning with People with Disabilities' Begins in July 2026

ePARA Inc. (CEO: Daiki Kato) is launching the 'Publication Commemorative Nationwide Caravan' across Japan starting July 2026, in celebration of the publication of the book 'Beyond Welfare: Earning with People with Disabilities' by Kodansha.

From July 1, 2026, the legally mandated employment rate for people with disabilities at private companies will be raised to 2.7%. Businesses are now more than ever expected to move beyond merely meeting this quota and instead focus on initiatives that ensure job retention, productivity, and integration of employees with disabilities as core team members.

In response to this social context, the caravan will host interactive workshops nationwide, based on the concepts and practical case studies introduced in the book 'Beyond Welfare: Earning with People with Disabilities'.

This is not a one-way lecture event. The 90-minute program is designed as an interactive session where participants exchange opinions and deepen their understanding on topics such as strategies for turning hires into core contributors and how to 'carve out' suitable tasks within their own organizations. The goal is to provide participants with opportunities to develop concrete action plans they can implement in their own workplaces and communities.

Currently, events are being organized in collaboration with companies, chambers of commerce, and local organizations across Japan. The aim is to create spaces for sharing regional challenges and successful practices, fostering discussions on inclusive employment and collaboration models tailored to each local area.

The confirmed event schedule from July onward is as follows:

【Upcoming Events】

• July 1 (Wed): Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture

• July 2 (Thu): Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture

• July 3 (Fri): Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture

• July 4 (Sat): Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture

• July 6 (Mon): Toda City, Saitama Prefecture

• July 9 (Thu): Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

• July 10 (Fri): Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture

• July 21 (Tue): Hōfu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture

• July 21 (Tue): Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture

• September 1 (Tue): Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture

Going forward, ePARA will continue expanding the event locations through collaboration with local businesses and organizations, promoting nationwide efforts toward building a society where people can 'earn together with people with disabilities'.

About the Book 'Beyond Welfare: Earning with People with Disabilities – How e-Sports and Welfare Are Changing the Future'

The book 'Beyond Welfare: Earning with People with Disabilities – How e-Sports and Welfare Are Changing the Future' (Kodansha), which inspired this caravan, is the first book authored by Daiki Kato, CEO of ePARA Inc.

The book confronts the reality that people with disabilities have long had their potential limited by labels of 'can' and 'cannot', and proposes a new perspective: 'earning *with* people with disabilities'. Drawing on experiences from barrier-free e-sports, practical case studies in disability employment, and co-creation projects with companies and communities, it introduces frameworks and practical know-how for enabling people with disabilities to thrive and create value.

With the upcoming increase in the legal employment rate for people with disabilities to 2.7% on July 1, 2026, this book is aimed at corporate and organizational leaders involved in disability employment and team building, as well as anyone interested in creating a society where diverse talents can succeed.

【Book Information】

Title

'Beyond Welfare: Earning with People with Disabilities – How e-Sports and Welfare Are Changing the Future'

Author

Daiki Kato

Publisher

Kodansha

Release Date

June 25, 2026

Pages

176 pages

Table of Contents

• Introduction: Turning 'Love of Games' into a Strength to Go Beyond the Norms of Welfare • Chapter 1: Why I, a Former Court Employee, Aim for 'Beyond Welfare' • Chapter 2: The World of 'Earning With' People with Disabilities Enabled by Barrier-Free e-Sports • Chapter 3: The Reality of 'People with Disabilities Earning' and 'Earning from People with Disabilities' • Chapter 4: Transcending the Norms of Disability Employment with the Philosophy of 'Kawaige' (Cuteness as Action) • Chapter 5: Role Models Betting Their Lives on a 'Chain of Challenges' • Conclusion: Toward 'Beyond Welfare (Beyond Fukushi)' – A Future Where Everyone Earns

URL

(Amazon) https://amzn.asia/d/0j7K0EWx

About ePARA Inc.

Company Message: 'Chain the combos of challenge.'

Our mission is 'Discovering individuality, creating the future,' aiming to build a society where everyone, regardless of disability, can thrive.

We operate barrier-free e-sports programs, employment support services, and co-creation projects with companies and organizations, creating opportunities for people with disabilities to shine in their own way.

After being selected for the 'FY2025 Petroleum Refining Technology Countermeasures Subsidy' by the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI, we have launched the 'ePARA × Saudi Vision 2030' initiative.

• CEO: Daiki Kato

• Business Activities

1. Employment Support Services

2. Barrier-Free e-Sports Business

3. Co-Creation Projects

• Official Website: https://epara.co.jp

• News Site: https://epara.co.jp

Inquiries

We welcome inquiries about this article, as well as companies, individuals, people with disabilities, and fellow disability advocates who wish to support or collaborate with ePARA. Please contact us via the details below.

To: ePARA Inc. 'Publication Commemorative Caravan' Team

Contact Form: https://epara.jp/contact/

Email: [email protected]

Tel: 03-4400-2855