Japanese culture and the philosophy of self‐advocacy: the importance of interdependence in community living

Accessible Summary• In Japan, there is a growing network of self‐advocacy groups. Some groups are involved in campaigning. Other groups are involved in social events and education. •  The age of de‐institutionalization is gradually arriving and community living for people with learning difficulties is becoming an urgent political issue. •  Self‐advocacy groups can help people to settle and be accepted in the community. •  It is important to think about how self‐advocacy ideas will fit with traditional parts of Japanese culture.