the branch of Inclusion Japan (the parents' association) in each prefecture.
5. The Japan League for the Mentally Retarded and its Member Organizations
(a) The Japan League for the Mentally Retarded
(1) Implementation of the Group Training Course on Mental Retardation
The League implemented the 16th Group Training Course on Mental Retardation, entrusted with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The eight participants came from Brazil, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Nepal, Pakistan, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The course period was from May 15 to August 4,1995.
(2) Participation in the 12th Asian Conference on Mental Retardation
The League organized a tour group to participate in the Asian Conference held in Colombo, Sri Lanka,from September 4 - 8,1995.
(3) Promotion of JLMR Partnership Market
To support the activities of the former participants of the Group Training Course in their own countries,the League introduced the persons and agencies who needed the exchanges, including supports.
(4) Publication and distribution of the TCPNET Newsletter (newsletter in English).
(5) Publication of the 1996 version of the "White Paper on Developmental Disability", the theme of which is "New Viewpoints on Independence".
(6) Publication and distribution of the JL News.
(7) Implementation of the 32nd Welfare Month (September 1 - 30,1995).
The slogan for this year's Welfare Month was "More kind people and town -- for making a town where people share their lives". As a central event, a meeting with a movie and a talk show was held at the Education Hall Hitostubashi Hall, September 2. The movie was "Whafs the Matter with Gilbert Grape?"The talk show was hosted by Osamu Kitayama and Hitoshi Komuro.
(8) Holding a medical seminar on developmental disability
From December 9-10, 1995, a medical seminar was held in Korakuen Hall, with the theme,"Treatment for the severe disabilities".
(9) Implementation of the 10th English Conversation Course on Developmental Disability
(a) Classroom Conversation Course
The 10th course started in October 1995, and ended in June 1996. It was held from 18:30 to 20:30 every Tuesday and Wednesday.
(b) Correspondence Conversation Course
Two correspondence English conversation courses were begun, a one-year course and a half-year course.
(b) The Japanese Association for the Care and Training of the Mentally Retarded
The Association is trying to promote better treatment of people with disabilities, facilitating the improvement of staff quality and management of the institutions by implementing various kinds of research and projects that aim to promote the welfare of people with intellectual disabilities.
Main projects and activities in 1995:
(1) National Conference of Directors of Institutions
This Conference, co-sponsored by the Ministry and Health and Welfare, was held on May 30-31 at Kawaguchi Generic Culture Center and some other places in Tokyo. The program included explanations about the administration and budgets for fiscal year 1995 by the Ministries of Health and Welfare,Education, and Labor; workshop discussions were held according to the type of institution. About 1,800 directors of institutions participated.
(2) The 33rd National Study Convention of Institution Staff Members
This Convention was held October 25-27 at the Okinawa Convention Center in Ginowan City and some other places. The program included keynote and memorial lecfures, symposia, research presentations,and workshops. Over 3,200 persons participated.
