Tokyo Deaflympics: Japan-made light signals used alongside pistols to start races

From Kyodo

November 7 2025

TOKYO – At the Deaflympics to kick off in Tokyo next week, “start lamps” will be used along with pistols on the racetrack as one of the innovative ways competitions are being adapted for hearing-impaired athletes.

Masahisa Takemi, 50, a teacher at Tokyo Metropolitan Chuo School for the Deaf, created the signals to be used at the Nov. 15-26 games. “I want to create an environment where people do not have to give up despite their disabilities,” he said.

The impetus came over a decade ago when the track and field team that Takemi coached at the public junior and senior high school took part in a meet.

During the event, at which hearing-impaired and hearing athletes competed together, Takemi instructed a female member of his team to start the race by observing those around her as well as listening through her hearing aid. But when the race began, the student’s reaction was delayed and she started poorly.

Seeing her tears, Takemi resolved to find a solution.

“If there were aspects that effort alone could not change, I had to find a way to make it fair,” he said.

Taking inspiration from start lamps used overseas, Takemi began developing compact devices that would indicate the positions “On your marks,” “Get set,” and “Go” with red, yellow, and green lights, respectively. He commissioned Nishi Athletic Goods Co. to build the devices.

For track and field athletes that start races in the crouching position, the devices are placed on the ground near their hands and work in conjunction with the starter pistol.

According to Takemi, track and field team athletes reported it helped them focus better during competition, and many students saw improved times.

But when Takemi tried to spread word of the lamps to athletics officials, he said he was told by some the signals were “unnecessary,” and sensed that awareness of hearing impairments was lacking.

Still, Takemi was persistent with his efforts, which led the devices to be introduced to competitions at the 2016 World Deaf Athletics Championships in Bulgaria, and subsequently the 2022 Deaflympics in Caxias do Sul, Brazil.

At home, with the assistance of the Japan Sports Agency, the devices have been introduced at over 30 locations.

“I want the lamps to help spread awareness of reaching out to the hearing impaired,” Takemi said.