A recently-enacted law in Japan to support children who need daily medical care and their families has laid bare the hardships such children face in entering the education system, including admission to nurseries and primary schools — something the rest of society often takes for granted.

Yuto Kubo (center) and his sisters at their home in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on May 5. Yuto uses an artificial respirator and a feeding tube. | COURTESY OF CHIHIRO KUBO / KYODO
Yuto Kubo (center) and his sisters at their home in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward on May 5. Yuto uses an artificial respirator and a feeding tube. | COURTESY OF CHIHIRO KUBO / KYODO

Chihiro Kubo is the mother of one such child. Earlier this year she launched a drive to collect signatures online to support the efforts of legislators to tackle the issue. With an original target of 2,000, she managed to gather 26,574 in around a month.