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.

Episode notes:

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

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/13/tokyo-gears-up-for-japans-first-deaflympics-with-push-for-accessibility/


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

The former officer, Masato Takeuchi, and another suspect arrested over the case, 55-year-old company employee Hiromi Ishichi, are apparently denying the allegations. Takeuchi is a board member of a Kyoto-based group, mainly comprising former police officers, that provides daily assistance to elderly people with dementia. The police believe the two suspects withdrew several million yen in cash using the victim's card.

The Deaflympics officially opened Saturday in Tokyo, marking the first time Japan has hosted the international sporting event for the deaf or hard of hearing. A record 3,081 athletes from 81 countries and regions, as well as a refugee team and a neutral team competing under the Deaflympics flag, have made the final entry list for the games, with the opening ceremony held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in the heart of the Japanese capital.

Episode notes:

‘Ex-Policeman Nabbed over Defrauding Person with Dementia’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/14/ex-policeman-nabbed-over-defrauding-person-with-dementia/

‘Deaflympics open in Tokyo as Japan hosts games for 1st time’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/15/deaflympics-open-in-tokyo-as-japan-hosts-games-for-1st-time/


Ex-Policeman Nabbed over Defrauding Person with Dementia, Tokyo Deaflympics Begins

A 60-year-old woman with an intellectual disability in Hirakata, Osaka Prefecture, was denied a UR rental apartment despite having spent more than a year preparing to live independently with support from a local nonprofit, prompting concerns that the agency’s requirement for a co-resident family member constitutes discriminatory treatment. 

Episode notes:

‘Osaka Woman With Intellectual Disability Refused UR Housing, Raising Rights Questions ‘:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/16/osaka-woman-with-intellectual-disability-refused-ur-housing-raising-rights-questions/


Osaka Woman With Intellectual Disability Refused UR Housing, Raising Rights Questions

Japan’s first judo podium came on Nov. 14, when Kazuma Gamo secured bronze in the men’s 73-kilogram division. The remaining medals followed on Nov. 17, with Yuto Fukasawa taking bronze in the men’s 81-kg class, Mizuki Mizutare in the men’s 90-kg, and Tomoki Takahashi in the men’s 100-kg. In the women’s events, Akira Kinugawa added another bronze in the 70-kg category.

Maki Yamada won the men's 400-meter race at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics on Wednesday, earning Japan its first gold medal at the ongoing event. Yamada finished the race in 47.61 seconds, rewriting his own deaf Japan record. "I've worked hard to win a gold medal at the Tokyo Games," he said. "My efforts have paid off."

Episode notes:

‘Japan Picks Up Five Judo Bronzes at Tokyo Deaflympics’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/19/japan-picks-up-five-judo-bronzes-at-tokyo-deaflympics/

‘Sprinter Yamada Wins Japan’s 1st Gold at Tokyo Deaflympics’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/20/sprinter-yamada-wins-japans-1st-gold-at-tokyo-deaflympics/



Japan Picks Up Five Judo Bronzes, Gold in Men’s 400-metres at Tokyo Deaflympics

Japan’s medal haul at the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics reached a record 31 on Sunday, surpassing the previous national best of 30 set at the 2022 Games in Caxias do Sul, Brazil, organizers said.

Japan added to its tally with strong performances across multiple sports. In karate, the women’s team won gold in the team kata event, while 20-year-old Kenji Mori captured the men’s individual kata title. In swimming, Ryutaro Ibara, 31, claimed his third gold of the Games by winning the men’s 400-meter individual medley. On the track, Maki Yamada, 28, earned silver in the men’s 200-meter sprint.

Crown Princess Kiko and Prince Hisahito attended an orienteering event on Izu Oshima, part of metropolitan Tokyo. The two watched the final round of the men’s relay, which featured Japan and seven other teams, with Prince Hisahito offering cheers to athletes in sign language. The Crown Princess, who first tried the sport after an introduction by a foreign researcher at the 2019 International Cartographic Conference in Tokyo, has since been a regular participant in competitions and training sessions. Earlier in the day, the pair visited Buratto House, a shop selling local farm products.

Episode notes:

‘Japan’s Tokyo Deaflympics Medals Reach Record 31’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/25/japans-tokyo-deaflympics-medals-reach-record-31/

‘Crown Princess Kiko, Prince Hisahito Watch Deaflympic Event’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/24/crown-princess-kiko-prince-hisahito-watch-deaflympic-event/


Record 31 Medals for Japan at Tokyo Deaflympics; Crown Princess Kiko and Hisahito Attend Event

As the Tokyo Deaflympics nears its conclusion, the Japanese women’s basketball and volleyball teams won gold medals at the Tokyo Deaflympics on Tuesday. Japan narrowly beat the United States 65-64 in the women’s basketball final, and trumped Turkey to win their first women’s volleyball gold in two Deaflympics.

Episode Notes:

‘Japan Women Win Basketball, Volleyball Gold at Tokyo Deaflympics’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/26/japan-women-win-basketball-volleyball-gold-at-tokyo-deaflympics/


Japan’s Women Win Basketball, Volleyball Gold As Tokyo Deaflympics Ends

The organizers of the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics have revealed that the number of people who visited the event’s venues totaled about 280,000, far more than their target of 100,000.

Episode notes:

‘Tokyo Deaflympics Venue Attendance Far Exceeded Expectations’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/27/tokyo-deaflympics-venue-attendance-far-exceeded-expectations/


Tokyo Deaflympics Venue Attendance Far Exceeded Expectations

The number of university students with developmental disabilities in Japan is on the rise, with their conditions often identified at a late stage through challenges in their social lives. According to a survey by the Japan Student Services Organization, 14,666 students with developmental disabilities were enrolled in universities, junior colleges and technical colleges in the 2024 academic year, approximately five times the number from 10 years ago.

Episode notes:

‘University students with developmental disabilities increase in Japan’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/11/29/university-students-with-developmental-disabilities-increase-in-japan/



University students with developmental disabilities increase in Japan

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government announced on December 1st that it will hold its annual ‘Disability Week’ from December 3rd to 9th. The aim of ‘Disability Week’ is to deepen public interest and understanding of disability welfare and to encourage people with disabilities to actively participate in all areas of social, economic, and cultural activities.

Episode notes: 

‘Tokyo Annual Disability Week to be Held December 3rd to 9th’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/02/tokyo-annual-disability-week-to-be-held-december-3rd-to-9th/



Tokyo Annual 'Disability Week' to be Held December 3rd to 9th

Japan plans to introduce a ban with penalties on implanting a genome-edited fertilized human egg into the womb of a human or another animal amid concerns over “designer babies.” A Japanese government expert panel broadly approved a proposal, including the ban, at a meeting on Thursday 4th December.

Episode notes:

‘Japan Eyes Ban on Gene-Edited Babies’:

https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/12/05/japan-eyes-ban-on-gene-edited-babies/


Japan Eyes Ban on Gene-Edited Babies

Hosted by Michael Gillan Peckitt, who resides in Kobe, Japan, the Disability News Japan Podcast is News website 'Barrier Free Japan's podcast, a weekly digest of some of the news about disability in Japan in audio form. New episodes will usually be available every Friday at 6am Japan Time.

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