Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata on 16 January awarded a Certificate of Commendation to Naohito Ishikawa, Director of the Non-Profit Organisation APCAS.

The text of the Japanese Embassy press release: “This commendation recognises Ishikawa’s outstanding contributions to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening the friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka. His dedicated efforts and significant achievements over the years have been highly valuable and appreciated.

The award ceremony took place during the New Year Reception held at the Ambassador’s residence. The presentation was conducted in the presence of members of the Japanese Solidarity Association and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Sri Lanka.

From 2002 to 2005, Ishikawa served as a Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteer (JOCV) under JICA, stationed in Anuradhapura. In December 2004, when the tsunami, triggered by the Indian Ocean earthquake, struck Sri Lanka, he and his fellow volunteers carried out emergency relief operations. Although he was scheduled to return to Japan upon completing his JOCV term, he decided to remain in the country to continue the tsunami recovery efforts. He initially joined an NGO conducting relief projects in Sri Lanka and worked with them for a year. However, when the NGO decided to withdraw from the country, he co-founded the non-profit organization APCAS with his friends to ensure the continuity of support activities in Sri Lanka.

Upon learning that visually impaired individuals in Sri Lanka faced significant barriers to employment and financial independence—despite the fact that similarly handicapped individuals play active roles as massage therapists in Japan—he opened a Shiatsu Therapy Center in 2012. The goal was to move beyond “mere assistance” and foster a “mutually supportive relationship.” Today, the therapy centre employs 14 therapists who receive salaries comparable to those of able-bodied employees in general corporations, ensuring sustainable social and economic independence.