Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Hiroshima Training Centre

The History of the Shimane Asahi Training Centre
Established in Hamada City, Shimane Prefecture, in 2008, the Shimane Asahi Training Centre has been dedicated to supporting vision-impaired individuals in the Chugoku and Shikoku regions by assisting them in walking with guide dogs. At its inception, the centre received just seven enquiries per year regarding guide dogs, but this number steadily increased, reaching 105 by 2012.
 
In response to this growing demand, the ‘Hiroshima Satellite’ was opened in Itsukaichi, Saeki Ward, Hiroshima City, in 2013, providing intensive training within Hiroshima City. Further expansion followed in 2016 with the relocation to Kabe-minami, Asakita Ward, where the ‘Hiroshima Office’ was established. Since then, the office has become a vital resource, receiving numerous consultations and enquiries from vision-impaired individuals across the nine prefectures of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions.

Establishment of the Hiroshima Training Centre
To meet the increasing needs of the community, the Japan Guide Dog Association (JGDA) has decided to establish the ‘Hiroshima Training Centre’ in the 2027 financial year, coinciding with the organisation’s 60th anniversary. This new facility will serve as a central hub for supporting vision-impaired individuals across Western Japan.
 
The training centre will be located in Hiroshima City, a strategic location at the heart of the Chugoku and Shikoku regions. Its proximity to Hiroshima Station and the city centre ensures convenient access to areas suitable for guide dog training and event hosting. Additionally, the centre will utilise public transport, such as trams and buses, as part of its training programme.