The project was implemented by staff of National Sanatorium Fukui Hospital, under the leadership of the hospital director. Funding Funding came mostly from the hospital budget, with some support from special funds of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Background A large permanent red ribbon has been placed on the exterior of the building, and a special ceremony was held in July 1998. The red ribbon was put on the fa ade of the outpatients ward of the hospital so that it would attract the attention of visitors.
Staff also wear red ribbons.
They have helped the general public, patients, and visitors understand the meaning of the red ribbon in relation to human rights issues. There has been no decrease in admission of patients since the ribbon was installed. No formal evaluation has been done, but anecdotal evidence of reactions by the public and the media is overwhelmingly favourable. This is an important lesson, because cultural norms in Japan tend to favour being undemonstrative and emphasize conformity rather than difference. The installation of the red ribbon is a positive example of stepping outside the usual cultural norms.