Category: Deaflympics

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 10, 2025 1
Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports Sports

Tokyo Govt Conducts Sign Language Lessons ahead of Deaflympics

The Tokyo metropolitan government is making final preparations to host the Deaflympics, known as the Olympics for people with hearing difficulties, from Saturday, such as conducting sign language lessons for its staff. It aims to facilitate the management of the Deaflympics, in which some 3,000 athletes from over 70 countries and regions are slated to compete, by promoting understanding about people with hearing impairments through the lessons. The upcoming Deaflympics will be the first to be held in Japan.

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 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 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 July 23, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaflympics Japan Para Sports Podcast

Japan to promote sign language with new law ahead of Deaflympics [Podcast Episode]

Election time is over and yes the right wing Sanseito party made gains, winning about 14 seats. In other news, Japan’s central and local governments are required under a new law to take steps to promote the use of sign language, aiming to build momentum ahead of hosting the Deaflympics in November. The law took effect on June 25 following the approval in parliament of legislation drafted by cross-party lawmakers. It marks the first time Japan has enacted a law specifically on sign language, according to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. Calling the legislation “historic,” the Japanese Federation of the Deaf said in a statement it is “deeply moved” when thinking of the predecessors who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of sign language.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt July 21, 2025 1
Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports

Japan to promote sign language with new law ahead of Deaflympics

Japan’s central and local governments are required under a new law to take steps to promote the use of sign language, aiming to build momentum ahead of hosting the Deaflympics in November. The law took effect on June 25 following the approval in parliament of legislation drafted by cross-party lawmakers. It marks the first time Japan has enacted a law specifically on sign language, according to the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry. Calling the legislation “historic,” the Japanese Federation of the Deaf said in a statement it is “deeply moved” when thinking of the predecessors who worked tirelessly to raise awareness of sign language.

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 January 4, 2025 Number of comments0
Deaf Deaflympics Disability Japan Para Sports Podcast Tokyo 2020

2025: The Year for Deaf Athletes in Japan? [Podcast Episode]

2025 is the year of Tokyo Deaflympics, which will be held from November 15 to 26, 2025 in Tokyo with other venues in Shizuoka and Fukushima. Despite being older than the Paralympics – the first Deaflympics was held in Paris, France in 1924 – it doesn’t receive as much attention as the Paralympics, although like the Paralympics it is recognized by the IOC. This event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Deaflympics, the Winter events being held in 2024 in Erzurum, Turkey.