Deaflympics Dialogue Project - We have feelings that we want to be known and delivered.

Page ID 1011668 Update Date Reiwa 7, March 10

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Deaflympics Dialogue Project - We have feelings that we want to be known and delivered.

　The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics will be held from November 15 to 26. This is a discussion project by deaf athletes living in the city, aimed at conveying the message to citizens that "we want as many people as possible to know that there are individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing" in light of the event.

It is important to clarify misunderstandings and communicate proactively.

Kishino I have been told, "Why are you ignoring me?" because I didn't notice when someone spoke to me.

Matsunaga At Nagamine Elementary School, where I attended, information was primarily conveyed through voice (oral speech). In junior high school, I started attending a school for the deaf, where information became centered around visual cues (sign language and written communication), and I realized for the first time that the words I had been recognizing were incorrect. For example, I had always thought that the convenience store "Seven-Eleven" was "Seven-Seven" based on oral speech and signs. A characteristic of conductive hearing loss is that parts that are difficult to hear can sound similar, leading to misrecognition.

Kishino I often made mistakes in reading kanji, and my parents corrected me.

Kishino I think it's important to clarify misunderstandings and communicate, as leaving things as they are can lead to unpleasant feelings for both parties. By properly explaining what is not heard, I was able to improve the situation.

Matsunaga In my case, the principal asked me what could be done before the entrance ceremony, and explained at the ceremony that "there are people who cannot hear," so I didn't have any particularly unpleasant experiences.

Kishino It's a drinking party. Even when using a transcription app, it's hard to tell who is speaking because everyone talks at once, and it gets converted into strange Japanese. That's why I try to have someone who understands the situation sit next to or in front of me during the drinking party.

Matsunaga I want to enjoy drinking parties. It can be lonely if I don't understand the conversation. Being deaf is less noticeable compared to using a wheelchair, and when I'm recommended something at a restaurant, I often don't understand. When I try to communicate that I can't hear, the person often walks away. I think it's just that they don't know how to respond, so I believe it's our challenge to share ways to address this.

Kishino I try to release the app as soon as possible.

Matsunaga There are times when I feel that Japan has few places that communicate with gestures and provide warm responses. It's probably because they don't know how to convey their message, so it's understandable.

--Two people talking about their experiences. Matsunaga is the gold medalist of the 2024 World Championship in Okinawa, Tomigusuku, and Kishino serves as the captain of the Japan national team for 7-a-side deaf rugby.--

No matter the means, just the fact that you spoke to me already makes me happy with that feeling of wanting to communicate.

Kishino I am happy just that you spoke to me, no matter the means. I think we can talk slowly, and if it doesn't get through, we can use written communication or transcription apps.

Matsunaga I think so too. I am happy to have the feeling of wanting to convey.

Kishino Of course, the happiest thing is for them to learn sign language, but (laughs)

Matsunaga I agree (laughs)

Kishino As the captain of the Japanese national team, I have to communicate with foreign players, but there are many players with mild hearing impairments overseas who communicate using spoken language (English). Since I cannot speak English myself, I use gestures, but I feel that there are many friendly people overseas who can understand gestures. We also start by teaching each other international sign language and the sign languages of various countries.

Matsunaga It's the same, isn't it? I will try to convey it through various means such as gestures, international sign language, American sign language, and Japanese sign language. It's the same as spoken language.

Many people cannot do it alone. Everyone wants to learn, but it's too difficult...

Kishino My parents can hear. My younger sister cannot hear. My parents learned sign language for me.

Matsunaga Amazing! Many families have mothers who remember, but fathers who do not. It's impressive that both parents remembered.

Kishino My wife can hear, but she can use sign language, and I feel happy in an environment where there are few people around who cannot use sign language. In the case of my friends, they cannot use sign language, but I speak verbally, and my friends use the memo function on their smartphones to communicate with me. I am grateful to be blessed with such friends and family.

Matsunaga In my case, my parents can hear. I have four siblings, some of whom can hear and some who cannot, but we all basically communicate through spoken language. Nowadays, there is information on television about what to do if one becomes deaf (those who are deaf from birth or lost their hearing before acquiring spoken language), and my mother has also learned sign language. I appreciate that my friends speak slowly and move to quieter places like cafes to accommodate me.

-- Matsunaga said, "I am happy to have the feeling of wanting to convey something" --

It takes courage for us to speak to those who can hear.

Kishino First of all, you don't have to worry before starting a conversation. Any means of communication is fine, and I'm glad to know that just showing interest is enough to have a conversation.

Matsunaga I don't think there is a need for the awareness of not being able to hear. If someone is in trouble, I will talk to them, and if it doesn't get across, I think it's fine to write it down on paper. For us as well, it takes courage to speak to those who can hear.

Kishino It takes courage to talk to someone who doesn't know that they can't hear, doesn't it? I want to be the kind of person who, instead of waiting to learn sign language before speaking, tries to engage in conversation and inspires others to learn sign language by saying, "I want to talk to you, so I will learn sign language."

Kishino First, make eye contact, take off the mask, and speak slowly. If it's hard to understand, I will suggest other methods, so I hope we can communicate in a way that is easy for both of us.

Matsunaga People who are deaf have a wide field of vision, so they notice things quickly. I think they would notice just by looking intently, so I don't think we need to raise the barrier to talking to them that much.

Kishino I would be very happy if the citizens of Inagi City could remember my face from this dialogue and say "Ah" when they see me (laughs). (To the interview staff) Please use the photos prominently (laughs).

-- "I want to be someone who motivates others to learn sign language," says player Kishino --

I want as many citizens as possible to know. Changing society is difficult, but I think it is important to continue these initiatives.

Matsunaga At Seven-Eleven, there is a board at the register, so you can point to request bags, spoons, or to have items heated without having to say anything. I feel that things are gradually changing.

Kishino That's right. Until now, it was necessary to speak out, but it has become easier to communicate. Diversity has been talked about, and dramas like 'Silent' have also become a topic of discussion, allowing people to learn about those who are hard of hearing. However, there are still many who do not know, so I want to continue to share more about the lives of those who are hard of hearing.

Kishino I have been saying "mutual understanding" in interviews since high school, but after seeing various things, I have come to think that we are getting closer to that ideal. Even if I try to communicate, it often doesn't get much attention, and there are many people who don't know about disabilities. Through this dialogue project, I want as many citizens as possible to learn about it. Changing society is difficult, but I believe it is important to continue these kinds of initiatives.

Matsunaga The awareness of the Paralympics is 90%, but it is often thought that hearing disabilities are included in parasports. Changing the world is difficult, but I want to use the opportunity of the Deaflympics to raise awareness about the existence of these individuals.

Kishino I believe that it is necessary to have opportunities to communicate not only for the awareness of the Deaflympics but also after it has ended. I want to continue to raise awareness of the existence of people who cannot hear.

Matsunaga I think so too. I'm a little worried that it will become quiet after the Deaflympics are over.

Moderator Many events are currently being held at large shopping centers across the country, but I would like to work together with the city to ensure that it does not end with the Deaflympics.

2 people Definitely!

Kishino Defrugby is not an event in the Deaflympics, so I am aiming for the World Cup in 2026. However, not only Mr. Matsunaga, but I also have many friends in other sports, so I hope to contribute to the excitement.

Matsunaga won the championship at the World Championships in June, but there are still many challenges ahead. Teamwork, communication, skills... Even though I am deaf (a hearing-impaired person who became deaf before acquiring spoken language), I want to work hard towards the Deaflympics so that people can see how amazing volleyball can be.

-- Looking forward to the achievements of the two in the Deaflympics and World Cup --

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We held a Deaflympics awareness event (Let's liven up the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics from Inagi City!).

　The Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, the world championship for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing, will be held for the first time in Japan from November 15 to 26, 2025. In preparation for this, Inagi City held an awareness event inviting deaf athletes residing in the city.

▼Date and Time
　March 1 (Saturday) from 9:30 AM to around 12:30 PM

▼Location
　Inagi City Comprehensive Gymnasium (Wellness Arena)

▼Implementing Body

　Organizer: Disability Welfare Division of Inagi City Cooperation: Inagi City Association of the Hearing Impaired

▼Instructor

(Main)
　Ayaka Matsunaga (Gold Medalist at the 2024 Deaf Volleyball World Championship in Tomigusuku City, Okinawa)
　Kaede Kishino (Captain of the Japan National Team for 7-a-side Deaf Rugby)

(Support Member)

　Airi Sato (Deaf Volleyball Player)

　Mr. Hino (Chairman of the Defrugby Federation)

　Mr. Otsuka (Chairperson of the Defrugby Federation Strengthening Committee)

　Mr. Takenaka (Defrugby Federation)

▼Main Event Details

　(1) Mayor's Greeting

　(2) Viewing the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics PR Video

　(3) Sign Language Course and Quiz Competition by the Inagi City Association of the Hearing Impaired

　(4) Deaf Athlete Talk Event

　(5) Discussion Experience Corner

　(6) Shuwa Shuwa ☆ Deaflympics! (Sign Language Dance)

We wish Matsunaga and Sato success at the Deaflympics in the fall of 2025, and we also hope for the achievements of Kishino and everyone from the Deaf Rugby Federation at the Deaf Rugby World Cup, which is set to be held in Japan in 2026. Participants also expressed their support with voices such as "Good luck!".

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