As a prenote to this news item PAMIS are relieved that their colleagues and friends in Japan were not adversely impacted by the recent Tsunami warnings after the Russian earthquake this week. However, we recognise the trauma this may have caused given the significant events previously. Our thoughts are with you.

PAMIS were honoured to be invited by Japan Welfare, Medical and Fashion Association recently to participate in a series of events as part of World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan.

World Expo takes place every five years and is held with the aim of achieving a society in which the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals have been fully realised. The theme for Expo 2025 is “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, with sub-themes of “Saving Lives”, “Empowering Lives” and “Connecting Lives”. The World Expo also brings together people and innovations from around the world in an effort to address issues facing humankind on a global scale. Jenny Miller, PAMIS CEO and Fiona Souter, Inclusive Communities Director were invited to this incredible event showcasing the work that PAMIS as an organisation does to support people with Profound Learning and Multiple Disabilities (PMLD) and their families, and those who care for them, with a particular focus on how we work to make communities more accessible and inclusive for all.

Day one was the showcase event and a real highlight of the whole trip. A world class fashion show featuring continence products designed with both style and functionality. The event was organised by the Japan Welfare, Medical and Fashion Association to highlight the potential and social value of continence care and included a special talk show within the 2000 capacity Shining Hat venue. This was the O-MU-TSU (Diaper) World Expo, the world’s largest diaper fashion show and it completely transformed the narrative about a condition that affects so many people. It broke down barriers and the stigma of talking publicly about incontinence. Using 360◦ projector mapping, sound and lighting the groundbreaking fashion show featured models wearing a range of adaptive clothing and incontinence products all of which were beautifully designed, stylish and fashionable, showing that medical products can also be innovative and worn with pride. This event set the scene for what could be if we openly acknowledge basic human functions. The chat show brought together designers and also diverse users of diapers including an astronaut! Of course, they need to pee in space and need the right resources to enable this to happen. The venue was packed with a hugely diverse audience; the atmosphere was incredible as we celebrated the commonality and the opportunities to change culture and stigma. A wholly emotional, inspiring experience, challenging public perceptions and setting the scene for collaboration and common interest in inclusion.

Day 2 was the International Diaper Forum 2025 and PAMIS were delighted to participate alongside Japanese and world experts who are at the forefront of innovative initiatives in the diaper industry. The themes of diapers and continence, diaper recycling and sustainability, and diapers and accessibility were explored. We were invited to present about Changing Places toilets in the UK and how fundamental they are to creating a more accessible society. We were able to highlight a virtual room thanks to a last-minute creation by  Vega 360 Virtual Tour Company, which supported the broader understanding of the room layout and essential equipment. Jenny and Fiona also formed part of an expert panel including Professor Jack Sim, Founder of the World Toilet Organisation and United Nations World Toilet Day, and the Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency who are using aerospace engineering solutions to create innovative solutions for accessible toilets on public transport. Speaking to a packed audience in the Festival Station venue, the panel discussion was both inspiring and engaging with a lively Q&A. PAMIS look forward to taking forward the important discussions and connections that were made during this event particularly in relation to Changing Places toilets design and continence solutions.

PAMIS also met with other countries participating in Expo 2025 to discuss Changing Places toilets and were delighted to tour the Saudi Arabia Pavillion to view their facilities which included a Changing Places toilet for all visitors. The team were invited to learn more about the Japanese Sky O-Mu-Tsu project which highlights the lack of appropriate toilet facilities at travel destinations and toured a new dedicated space at Kansai International Airport in Osaka where a temporary adult sized changing bed and hoist system is now available for people visiting and participating in Expo 2025.

Day three was a full day event at Osaka’s Asia and Pacific Trade Centre where the PAMIS team had the opportunity to meet with Japanese Government officials including staff from the tourism team, equipment providers and allied health professionals to talk further about ways we support people with PMLD and how our countries might work together to learn from each other and improve opportunities for disabled people. PAMIS were interviewed by the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation about the work the organization has done over the years to ensure that people with PMLD live healthy, valued and included lives and explained the work that was done in Scotland to create legislative change, ensuring Changing Places toilets are now mandatory in new public buildings.

On the 19th July 2025, the UK Changing Places toilet Consortium, chaired by PAMIS, celebrated 20 years of campaigning and tireless efforts by campaigners, families, users and organisations across the nation, to change the situation for thousands of people in the UK. As part of our 20 years celebrations this year we are honoured to share our remarkable experience at Expo 2025 and to restate our commitment to support other countries around the world to develop these vital and life changing facilities.

At the end of their presentation in Japan Jenny Miller, Chair of the UK Changing Places Consortium put a call for action:

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“We would like today to be the start of a collaboration of countries all working to the same standards led by those who require the resource and guided by evidence and best practice.

We would like to work together on agreeing these standards

We would like a commitment from other countries and their governments to meeting this basic human right of access to appropriate changing places toilets so the world opens up for everyone.”