Category: Deaf

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 13, 2025 1
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports

Tokyo Gears Up for Japan’s First Deaflympics with Push for Accessibility

Japan is preparing to host its first-ever Deaflympics from Nov. 15 to 26, with events held in Tokyo, Shizuoka, and Fukushima, and Narita airport stepping up accessibility measures for the thousands of athletes and visitors expected from around 80 countries. The airport has introduced pictogram signage, written communication tools, and staff training sessions led by people with hearing impairments to improve interactions with deaf and hard-of-hearing travelers. Meanwhile, the Tokyo metropolitan government is offering sign language lessons to its employees to ensure smooth event operations and promote greater understanding of the deaf community ahead of the 12-day international sporting event.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Japan Para Sports

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

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.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 26, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Japan Sign Language

Hokkaido Deaf Students Denied Classes in Japanese Sign Language Take Case to Supreme Court

Two deaf students have appealed to Japan’s Supreme Court after lower courts rejected their claim that being denied classes in Japanese Sign Language violated their right to education. The pair are seeking 11 million yen in damages from the Hokkaidō government, a case their lawyer called a test of basic human rights protections for people with disabilities.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 15, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Japan Podcast

Bring Out Your Dead on No News Obon! [Podcast Episode]

It’s Obon! Although there is an interesting article about how In June, Japan enacted the Act on the Promotion of Measures Concerning Sign Language, a law aimed at advancing the acquisition and use of sign language and preserving sign language culture. Building on the 2011 amendment to the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities, which recognized sign language as a language, and the spread of local ordinances such as Kanagawa Prefecture’s 2015 Sign Language Ordinance, the new legislation clarifies the responsibilities of national and local governments. It mandates securing opportunities for learning sign language, training interpreters, enhancing education, and ensuring cultural transmission. The law has prompted municipalities such as Yokohama to strengthen interpreter placement and related services, while deaf advocacy groups are calling for further expansion, particularly the assignment of interpreters to all ward offices.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 14, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Japan Para Sports Sports

Deaflympics: Tech innovation to immerse athletes, spectators in sport

Digital technology is set to play an exciting role at the Tokyo Deaflympics in November, with organizers aiming to create an immersive experience that engages athletes and spectators with hearing impairments. Sounds such as those made when a ball is hit, or when fans cheer, are translated into onomatopoeic words and displayed at the table tennis venue during the Deaflympics. Monitors near the table display written characters in sync with the decisive moments of a match, offering a more immersive and visually engaging experience for spectators.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 14, 2025 1
Deaf Disability Japan Sign Language

Deaf Advocacy Groups in Japan Hopes New Law Leads to Expanded Support

In June, Japan enacted the Act on the Promotion of Measures Concerning Sign Language, a law aimed at advancing the acquisition and use of sign language and preserving sign language culture. Building on the 2011 amendment to the Basic Act for Persons with Disabilities, which recognized sign language as a language, and the spread of local ordinances such as Kanagawa Prefecture’s 2015 Sign Language Ordinance, the new legislation clarifies the responsibilities of national and local governments. It mandates securing opportunities for learning sign language, training interpreters, enhancing education, and ensuring cultural transmission. The law has prompted municipalities such as Yokohama to strengthen interpreter placement and related services, while deaf advocacy groups are calling for further expansion, particularly the assignment of interpreters to all ward offices.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 3, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports Sports

273 Japanese Athletes to Compete in Deaflympics in November; Event to Be Held in Japan for 1st Time

A record number of Japanese athletes will participate in the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics in November, it was announced on Thursday. A record 273 athletes — 160 male and 113 female — will compete in all 21 sports during the Deaflympics, an international event for athletes that have hearing impairments. This is the first time for Japan to host the event. Japan aims to surpass the previous record of 30 medals that the nation won during the previous Deaflympics.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt March 6, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Japan Para Sports

Shizuoka Kindergarten Children Film a Message of Support in Sign Language for Tokyo Deaflympics

On February 28th, 18 kindergarten children at Amagi Certified Childcare Center in Shizuoka Prefecture filmed messages of support in sign language for the Deaflympics, a sports festival for people with hearing impairments, for which Izu City will also be one of the venues. The Deaflympics, held every four years, will be held in Japan for the first time in from Saturday November 15th 2025 until Wednesday November 26th 2025, and the Japan Cycle Sports Center in Izu City in Shizuoka prefecture will be the venue for six cycling events.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt February 8, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Disability Hearing Impaired Japan

Osaka High Court finalizes full lost earnings ruling for deceased girl with disability

A Japanese high court has finalized a ruling recognizing that the estimated lost earnings of a girl with a hearing impairment who died in an accident should be considered at the same level as for people without disabilities. Ide Ayuka was 11 years old when she was fatally struck by a power shovel that ran onto a sidewalk in Osaka City in 2018. She had been attending a school for children with hearing impairments. The ruling was finalized as the driver and the company did not appeal by the Tuesday 4 February deadline.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Deaf Hearing Impaired Japan

(Update) In Legal First, Court Awards ¥43 million ‘Lost Earning’ to Parents of Hearing Impaired Daughter

The court ordered the payment of about ¥43 million (around $227,000), equivalent to that of a nondisabled person, stating that there was “no reason to reduce the amount from the average of all workers” on lost earnings that the victim would have been able to earn in the future. The family had sought ¥61 million.