Japan heads to Winter Paralympic Games with biggest team in decades
Japan is fielding 44 athletes across all six sports, its largest overseas delegation to a Winter Paralympics, surpassed only by the 70 at the 1998 Nagano Games.
Category: Paralympics
Paralympics: Japan skier Kawayoke alters game plan in pursuit of gold
After winning gold four years ago in Beijing, Japanese Para cross-country skier Taiki Kawayoke has adopted a new game plan as he targets a return to the top of the podium at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics, opening Friday.
Japan Eyes Strong Showing at Milano-Cortina Paralympics with One Week to Go [Podcast Episode]
With one week to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, Japan is preparing for its 11th appearance at the Winter Paralympics, carrying a proud legacy in the competition. Since making its debut at the Innsbruck 1988 Paralympic Winter Games, Japan has won a total of 97 medals – 27 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze – establishing itself as a consistent force in winter para sports.
Japan Eyes Strong Showing at Milano-Cortina Paralympics with One Week to Go
With one week to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games open on March 6, Japan is preparing for its 11th appearance at the Winter Paralympics, carrying a proud legacy in the competition. Since making its debut at the Innsbruck 1988 Paralympic Winter Games, Japan has won a total of 97 medals – 27 gold, 33 silver and 37 bronze – establishing itself as a consistent force in winter para sports.
Less than a month until the Paralympics, Japan finalizes Milan–Cortina preparations [Podcast Episode]
With less than a month to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games open on March 6, Japan is stepping up final preparations for a campaign that will feature broad representation across the six-sport program, including the return of its para ice hockey team.
Less than a month until the Paralympics, Japan finalizes Milan–Cortina preparations
With less than a month to go until the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games open on March 6, Japan is stepping up final preparations for a campaign that will feature broad representation across the six-sport program, including the return of its para ice hockey team.
Snowboarding, curling gold prospects named Japan Winter Paralympic Flagbearers
Gold medal hopefuls in snowboarding and wheelchair curling will be Japan’s flagbearers at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Paralympics. The country’s Paralympic Committee named Aki Ogawa, one half of Japan’s mixed doubles wheelchair curling team, and para snowboarder Junta Kosuda as the flagbearers while announcing the first 40 members of its delegation on Friday.
Japan pair aiming for history in wheelchair curling doubles in Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Paralympic Games
A pair of Japanese veterans are aiming to make history at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games in March by ending their country’s Paralympic curling medal drought with victory in the inaugural mixed doubles wheelchair competition.Aki Ogawa, 50, and Yoji Nakajima, 61, have been part of Japan’s curling scene since the sport went through a boom in the country in 2003.
Tokyo Gears Up for Japan’s First Deaflympics with Push for Accessibility [Podcast Episode]
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.
Japan names 5-time Paralympic gold medalist Junichi Kawai to head sports agency [Podcast Episode]
Retired visually impaired swimmer Junichi Kawai was named the next commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency on Friday and will become the first Paralympian to assume the post when his appointment takes effect Oct. 1. Kawai expressed his determination to fulfill his role, saying at a press conference in Tokyo, “My goal is to build a society where citizens recognize the value and appeal of sports.” As it is rare for a government body to be led by someone who is totally visually impaired, he added, “The fact that someone like me has been appointed to this position shows that times have changed, and I hope this means a lot to many people.”
