Japan

The Nippon Foundation offers 1,590,000 yen grants to Japan-based welfare organizations that need vehicles for transporting disabled and elderly people and equipment.

The foundation recently unveiled a new van in its line of vehicles for welfare-use – a Nissan Atlas four door van which can seat six people (double cab) with a rear loading capacity of 1,150 kilograms.

Nissan Atlas, 6 person seat capacity, load capacity of 1,150 kilograms

This vehicle is ideally suited to support the community life of the elderly and disabled. It can easily transport both people and any equipment they need when traveling to their destination.

The Foundation's welfare division says its goal with this newly available vehicle is to provide the disabled and elderly with the means to enrich their lives in their community.

They hope the following three missions will be carried out: 1) home service – allowing easy access between home and destination, 2) outpatient care – allowing the disabled to meet their friends so they don’t lead lonely or isolated lives, 3) job assistance – giving the disabled and elderly a chance to work at jobs in the community, secure in the knowledge that they have the means to commute from home to their job or care center.

Welfare van missions -- "home service, outpatient services, and job assistance"

In this way The Nippon Foundation provides the means for the disabled and elderly to lead meaningful, enjoyable lives through the deployment of both this vehicle, and others like it.

This transportation support is especially needed in times like these, with the global financial crisis. It allows the elderly and disabled to have access to community facilities in spite of cuts to other services.

As a result, more disabled and elderly are able to live independently and can be seen travelling and working much more in the community.

These light, high-capacity vans are helping to serve an important role in society.