Category: Para Sports

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 July 7, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Japan Para Sports Sports

Japan’s Paris Paralympics representative Yumi Tanaka wins women’s 100m hurdles at Japan Athletics Championships, Asuka Terada places 6th in her last Japan Championships

The final day of the Japan Athletics Championships (sponsored by Yomiuri Shimbun), which also serves as the main qualifying tournament for the World Championships in Tokyo in September, was held at the National Stadium on the 6th, and in the women’s 100m hurdles, Yumi Tanaka (Fujitsu), who represented Japan at the Paris Olympics, won in a time of 12.86 seconds.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 8, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan Para Sports Sports

Tennis: Oda, Kamiji win French Open wheelchair singles

Japan’s Tokito Oda won his third consecutive French Open wheelchair tennis singles title Saturday, defeating Britain’s Alfie Hewett 6-4, 7-6(6). Earlier in the day, Japanese compatriot Yui Kamiji claimed her fifth wheelchair singles title and first in five years with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Aniek van Koot of the Netherlands. Kamiji added the singles championship to the doubles crown she won Friday with South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt April 15, 2025 Number of comments0
Japan Osaka Kansai Expo 2025 Para Sports Paralympics

2026 Olympic, Paralympic Torches Unveiled at Osaka Expo

The torches for the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and Paralympics next year were unveiled Monday at the Italian pavilion of the 2025 World Exposition in the western Japan city of Osaka. The Olympic and Paralympic torches, each weighing 1,060 grams and measuring 89 centimeters in length, differ in color and are designed in the image of a flame. They will be displayed at the pavilion until the Expo’s final day on Oct. 13. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani said at a ceremony that the torches will carry a message of peace.

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.