Supporting Hospitalized Children Locally: 'Children × Play Festival in Okinawa' to Be Held – Join CliniClowns in Supporting Hospitalized Kids

Highlights from the 2024 'CliniClown Fun Workshop Supporting Hospitalized Children (Okinawa Prefecture)'

The Japan CliniClowns Association, a certified NPO (Headquarters: Kita-ku, Osaka; President: Kawa Keisei), will host the 'Children × Play Festival in Okinawa – Join CliniClowns in Supporting Hospitalized Kids' on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at the Okinawa Child Health Center.

This event targets children with illnesses or disabilities, their siblings, families, and parents and children interested in welfare and inclusive society building. Through 'play,' it aims to raise awareness of hospitalized children and those requiring medical or support services, fostering a spirit of encouragement and support.

This project is implemented with support from AEON Fantasy Co., Ltd.'s 'Asonde Bokin' (Play and Donate) program.

Centered on five local child support organizations in Okinawa Prefecture, each will operate booths offering activity introductions and hands-on play experiences. Participants can move from booth to booth like a stamp rally, learning about children with illnesses or disabilities and local support initiatives through diverse play activities.

The event aims to inspire children to take a step beyond 'knowing' and 'feeling,' helping to create a warm, community-wide cycle of support for children.

Background of the Event

The Japan CliniClowns Association has been regularly sending CliniClowns (clinical clowns) to pediatric wards nationwide since 2005, delivering joyful, playful, and comforting moments—'children's time'—to hospitalized children.

In Okinawa, visits began in 2011, reaching eight hospitals across the prefecture, including the University of the Ryukyus Hospital and the Okinawa Prefectural Southern Medical Center & Children's Medical Center. The association has continuously delivered play, laughter, and moments of normalcy to children with illnesses or disabilities and their families, in collaboration with medical and welfare professionals.

Children with illnesses or disabilities often have limited opportunities to play or interact socially due to hospitalization or medical appointments. Meanwhile, many local organizations and individuals are eager to support these children and their families.

This festival was conceived to create opportunities for children to learn about hospitalized and medically vulnerable peers through play, realizing that 'they too can help support others.'

It also reflects the hope of creating a welcoming local space where children with prior hospitalization experiences can feel safe playing even after discharge.

Another major goal is to bring together Okinawan child support organizations and facilities to share their activities and visions, deepen mutual understanding, and cultivate a community-wide foundation for supporting children.

※ A separate event, 'Adults × Learning Festival,' will be held on the same morning. https://www.cliniclowns.jp/wp/news/20260628am

Event Details

Venue

[Okinawa Child Health Center, Main Hall

218-11 Shinkawa, Tomigusuku City, Okinawa 901-1105

(https://www.osh.or.jp/event/ha_ppy/access.html)]

Date and Time

Sunday, June 28, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

※ You may arrive at any time during the event

※ Opening stage at 1:00 PM

Event Content

Support organizations for children will gather at the Okinawa Child Health Center to play alongside CliniClowns and learn about children with illnesses or disabilities. The event features numerous exciting activities, including play booths, art exhibitions, and live performances by CliniClowns.

● Participating Organizations

・NPO Corporation Okinawa Project for Children's Hospice-Like Care

https://posloch.okinawa/

・General Foundation Kaoharekai

https://kaoharekai.com/

・Certified NPO Warabi-no-Kai for Children's Medical Support

https://www.warabinokai.org/

・Certified NPO Japan CliniClowns Association

https://www.cliniclowns.jp/

・Yanbaru Forest Toy Art Museum

https://art-play.or.jp/ytm/

Participation Fee

[Free]

How to Participate

Pre-registration: Please apply via the online form. https://forms.gle/krQYcqMeSde3UoXR9

Target Participants

Children with illnesses or disabilities, siblings, families, and parent-child pairs interested in welfare and inclusion ※ Children in elementary school or younger must be accompanied by a guardian. ※ This program does not provide medical support. Participation is at your own discretion.

Co-organized by

NPO Corporation Okinawa Project for Children's Hospice-Like Care https://posloch.okinawa/

Supported by

Okinawa Prefectural Council of Social Welfare https://www.okishakyo.or.jp/ Naha City Council of Social Welfare https://www.nahasyakyo.org/ Certified NPO Warabi-no-Kai for Children's Medical Support https://www.warabinokai.org/

Grant Support

AEON Fantasy 'Asonde Bokin' (Play and Donate)

Organized by

Certified NPO Japan CliniClowns Association https://www.cliniclowns.jp/

Highlights from the 2024 'CliniClown Fun Workshop Supporting Hospitalized Children (Okinawa Prefecture)'

The Japan CliniClowns Association has been sending 'CliniClowns (clinical clowns)' to hospitalized children since 2005, delivering joyful, playful, and comforting moments—'children's time'—so children can be children.

Keiko Kumagai, Executive Director, Japan CliniClowns Association

The motivation behind hosting the 'Children × Play Festival in Okinawa' stems from our desire to establish CliniClown activities in Okinawa and to build a supportive community where children with illnesses or disabilities, their siblings, and families are embraced by various organizations and local residents.

CliniClown activities in Okinawa began with visiting teams from outside the prefecture. Over time, we've gradually built connections with local individuals who share our vision of sustaining these activities in Okinawa. This journey has led us to today's festival. The smiles of children and families are sustained by community understanding and support. We hope this festival becomes a space where caring hearts meet, connect, and grow. Together with the people of Okinawa, we will continue to nurture the vision of 'local CliniClowns for local children.'