JIL (Japan Council on Independent Living Centers)

The National Council on Independent Living Centers (全国自立生活センター協議会), known as JIL, is a nonprofit umbrella body for the independent living movement in Japan. It represents member independent living centers around the country and works from the principle that people with disabilities, including severe physical and intellectual disabilities, have the right to live ordinary lives in their own communities rather than in institutions. For families of disabled children, JIL is less a direct-service provider and more a movement and network worth knowing about as your child grows toward adulthood and independent living support (自立生活援助) becomes relevant.

Much of JIL’s work centers on independent living programs (自立生活プログラム) and peer counseling (ピアカウンセリング), where disabled people who already live independently mentor others learning to do the same. The council also organizes forums and symposiums, including sessions on community living for people with severe physical and intellectual disabilities, and it runs youth-focused programs for younger disabled people just starting to imagine living on their own. Its member center directory (JIL加盟団体一覧) is the practical starting point for finding an independent living center in your region.

JIL is also a strong advocacy voice, issuing statements and petitions to government on disability rights, abuse cases in institutions, and related legal reforms, and it takes part in international disability rights work. The office is in Hachioji, in western Tokyo, and the council operates nationwide through its member organizations. The site is mainly in Japanese but includes an English link, so foreign residents can get an overview in English while arranging most contact and program participation in Japanese.