Category: Deaf

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 31, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Deaf Disability Japan United Nations

Japan calls inadequate sign language access at UN a “grave issue”

A Japanese member of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has criticized the United Nations for failing to provide adequate sign language interpretation, saying it is not complying with its own disability rights convention. Hiroshi Tamon, a deaf lawyer who began a four-year term on the committee in January 2025, says interpretation is provided only for official meetings, forcing him to pay most costs himself for other essential activities. Japan’s Foreign Ministry has raised the issue with the UN, calling it a “grave issue.”

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 29, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Hearing Impaired Imperial Family Japan

Sign Language Literate Japanese Princess Kako Turns 31

Japanese Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, turned 31 on Monday 29th December. As an adult member of the Imperial Family, Princess Kako has performed various official duties at home and abroad this year, while working twice a week since April 2024 at the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, which she joined as a part-time employee in 2021. As this year marked the 80th anniversary of Japan’s surrender in World War II, she has an even stronger wish for peace after studying stories of the war again and feeling anew the importance of thinking about the suffering caused by conflicts around the world, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 27, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Japan Sign Language

Japan Cabinet Office Posts Unsubstantiated Video, Deletes It After Social Media Backlash

An awareness-raising video released by the Cabinet Office to coincide with this year’s Disability Awareness Week (December 3–9), the government introduced claims, without scientific evidence, that sign language leads to brain activation and improved memory. The video was removed after a wave of criticism on social media, where many said it showed a lack of understanding that sign language is an indispensable means of communication for people who are deaf. Immediately after the video was released on the 3rd, criticism spread on social media, with comments such as “there is a lack of recognition that sign language is a ‘language’ for deaf people” and “this is from an able-bodied perspective.” The Cabinet Office withdrew the video on the 5th.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports Sports

Tokyo Deaflympics close with Japan winning record 51 medals

A ceremony was held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in the capital to formally close the 12-day international sporting event for the deaf and hard of hearing, which Japan hosted for the first time in the games’ history. The Japanese delegation, comprising around 270 athletes, was represented in every event for the first time.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Japan Para Sports Podcast Sports

Japan’s Women Win Basketball, Volleyball Gold As Tokyo Deaflympics Ends [Podcast Episode]

As the Tokyo Deaflympics nears its conclusion, the Japanese women’s basketball and volleyball teams won gold medals at the Tokyo Deaflympics on Tuesday. Japan narrowly beat the United States 65-64 in the women’s basketball final, and trumped Turkey to win their first women’s volleyball gold in two Deaflympics.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Imperial Family Japan Para Sports Podcast Sports

Record 31 Medals for Japan at Tokyo Deaflympics; Crown Princess Kiko and Hisahito Attend Event [Podcast Episode]

Japan’s medal count at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics rose to a record 31 on Sunday, surpassing the country’s previous best from 2022, after athletes secured new medals in karate, swimming and athletics. Crown Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito visited Izu Oshima to watch the men’s orienteering relay, with the prince encouraging athletes in sign language, and later toured a local farm products shop.