Commemorative Event "Thanks 🔴 Carnival" to be Held in Tokyo on April 12th: 20 Years of Delivering "Playtime" to Children with Illnesses and Disabilities and Their Families, Featuring a Gathering of Clinic Clowns

― Through 'play' as a keyword, towards the realization of an inclusive society, Creating a space where diverse people meet and connect ― NPO Japan Clinic Clown Association (Secretariat: Osaka Prefecture, Director: Eriko Kumagai) will hold a commemorative event, "Thanks 🔴 Carnival," on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Tokyo, to celebrate its 20th anniversary. This event was planned as a place for mutual enjoyment and connection, for those who have supported our activities, children with illnesses and disabilities and their families, and anyone interested in an inclusive society. Background for Holding the Event On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, this event was planned to widely express gratitude to the many people who have supported our activities, and to create a place for exchange where children with illnesses and disabilities, their families, and their siblings can participate with peace of mind. Children we met in pediatric wards have expressed desires such as, 'I want to see Clinic Clowns even after discharge,' and 'I want to play with my siblings and family.' Responding to these wishes, the starting point for this project was the desire to create a place where they can reunite and enjoy themselves even outside the hospital. By holding this event in Tokyo, we are expanding opportunities for more people to participate. The organizing NPO Japan Clinic Clown Association continues its activities to deliver 'child time' through 'play' and 'humor' to hospitalized children. Through this event, we aim to create opportunities for diverse people to meet and connect, contributing to the promotion of understanding and the expansion of social participation towards an inclusive society. ■ Event Overview Event Name: 20th Anniversary "Thanks 🔴 Carnival"
Date and Time: Sunday, April 12, 2026, 13:00 – 16:00 (free entry/exit)
Venue: National Olympics Memorial Youth Center, International Exchange Building, Reception Hall (3-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) [Access: https://nyc.niye.go.jp/access]

Participation Fee: Free

Target Audience:
• Children with illnesses or disabilities
• Siblings and families
• Those interested in welfare and inclusivity, etc.

Application Method: Advance application required [Application Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLUs63DB0ukU/viewform]

● Organizer

NPO Japan Clinic Clown Association [https://www.cliniclowns.jp/]

Since 2005, we have been sending 'Clinic Clowns' (hospital clowns) to hospitalized children to deliver 'child time'—a time where children can laugh, play, and spend time with peace of mind, as children should. [Eriko Kumagai, Director of NPO Japan Clinic Clown Association] "I am very happy to be able to hold this event at the milestone of our 20th anniversary. The fact that we have been able to continue our activities this far is thanks to the many people who have supported us. I express my heartfelt gratitude. We have received voices from children we met in pediatric wards saying, 'I want to see Clinic Clowns even after discharge,' and 'I want to play with my siblings and family.' We want to respond to those wishes and create a place where we can reunite and laugh together outside the hospital. This event was born from such a desire. We hope this event will not only be a place where children, families, and siblings can enjoy themselves with peace of mind, but also an opportunity for participants to learn about the existence of hospitalized children through play and realize that 'there is support I can offer.' We hope it will be a warm and fun time for the children, their families, siblings, and all those who are interested, and that the gentle circle of support for children within the community will gradually expand."