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Amid Japan’s ongoing struggle with its rapidly ageing population, where the prevalence of dementia is projected to affect one in every five individuals by 2025, a groundbreaking social experiment is quietly challenging perceptions and nurturing empathy.
Known as the “Restaurant of Mistaken Orders,” this unique dining establishment in Tokyo, Japan deliberately allows for errors in both orders and deliveries. What sets it apart is that the waitstaff consists of individuals with varying degrees of cognitive impairment.
Enabled by the collaboration of numerous individuals, the “Restaurant of Mistaken Orders” embraces mistakes as part of its charm. Visitors may encounter an older woman guiding them to a table and then joining them, another serving hot coffee with a straw, or yet another struggling to operate a large pepper mill with uncertain precision.
In this setting, patrons enthusiastically pitch in to assist, and the collective laughter echoes with triumphant cries of “We did it!” However, as the creator, Shiro Oguni, emphasises, the essence of the restaurant lies not in the flawless execution of orders. “The important thing is the interaction with people who have dementia,” the official website of the Government of Japan quoted Oguni as saying.
The inspiration for this pop-up restaurant originated from Oguni’s encounter with a group home for people with dementia. (Source: The Government of Japan)
“Like everybody else, my awareness of dementia at first tended towards negative images of people who were ‘radically forgetful’ and ‘aimlessly wandering about,” he went on to add.
Initially influenced by negative stereotypes of dementia, Oguni’s perspective shifted upon realising that individuals with dementia can perform everyday tasks independently, albeit occasionally deviating from the expected course.
Despite initial concerns about potential criticism, Oguni’s creation succeeded as a “restaurant of never-ending laughter.” The guests witnessing the genuine joy and determination of the staff with dementia often leave with a renewed sense of courage or are even moved to tears. The servers themselves express sentiments like “I’m still capable. This has given me confidence.”
Oguni’s profound insight challenges prevailing perceptions, asserting that dementia is not the entirety of a person but merely a part of who they are. His vision of a “Warm Japan” stands in stark contrast to the nation’s pursuit of a “Cool Japan”, emphasising the cultivation of an environment characterised by warmth and compassion. In this unique dining experience, patrons depart with smiles etched on their faces and in their hearts, embodying the aspirations of a society that recognises the humanity in every individual.
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