Deaflympics in Tokyo spotlight deaf rights and sign language recognition, with 3,000 athletes from 80 countries competing without hearing aids
THE upcoming Deaflympics in Tokyo represent a pivotal moment for increasing visibility and challenging discrimination against deaf people in Japan.
Japanese Federation of the Deaf president Daigo Ishibashi described the event as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to spotlight deaf individuals and athletes.
Around 3,000 athletes from 80 countries and regions will compete in the 12-day games where hearing aids are prohibited.
Ishibashi revealed initial doubts about hosting due to significant gaps in public awareness about deaf issues.
The federation leads preparations for Tokyo’s Deaflympics, following the city’s 2021 Olympics and Paralympics and its 2022 selection as host.
Born deaf in Shimane Prefecture, Ishibashi experienced discrimination throughout his education and was pressured to practice oralism instead of sign language.
He recalled a junior high teacher saying his voice “sounds like an animal’s” and being prevented from attending regular high school due to his deafness.
Ishibashi taught himself sign language in high school when the method lacked proper recognition.
After beginning work in Tottori Prefecture, he witnessed extensive discrimination against deaf people, including exclusion from funerals and forced hayloft living.
These experiences motivated his involvement in deaf rights advocacy and sign language promotion efforts.
Ishibashi contributed to Japan’s first sign language ordinance in Tottori in 2013, inspiring over 600 local entities to enact similar measures.
A national law promoting sign language took effect in June, urging government action at all levels.
Despite progress, Ishibashi identified ongoing challenges, including the near absence of deaf referees in sports.
“Even after the Deaflympics are over, I want to create a path to resolve these issues one by one,” he said through a sign language interpreter. – Bernama-Kyodo
