28 August 2024: Speech of Mr. Nobuo YASUE, Parlimentary Vice- Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, during "International Disability Inclusion Conference: Harnessing the Transformational Impact of Para Sport”, Ministerial Forum

2024/8/28

Speech of Mr. Nobuo YASUE, Parlimentary Vice- Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

"International Disability Inclusion Conference: Harnessing the transformational impact of Para sport” Ministerial Forum

Dear excellencies, ladies and gentlemen. First, on behalf of the country that hosted the last Paralympic Games in Tokyo, I extend my heartfelt regards and congratulations to all the stakeholders for their great efforts in preparing for the Paris Games and express my best wishes for its success.

Japan is not only the host country for many major para sport events, but also the country that aims to leverage these events to advance disability inclusion. Through the Tokyo Games, the entire nation was involved in efforts to create universal design cities. In the cities, everyone can move around safely and comfortably. We also created an inclusive mindset where everyone respects and supports each other, and we promoted para-sports. As a result, it has resulted in a substantial increase of para sport practitioners and fans, and the number of people with disabilities employed by private companies.

In terms of international cooperation, Japan provides support for capacity building of teachers for inclusive and high-quality physical education in ASEAN countries. We also conduct research to identify priority issues that ASEAN countries should address to promote parasport.

Looking to the future, the Deaflympics will be held in Tokyo in 2025 which will showcase the value of deaf sport. The 2026 Asian Para Games will be held in my hometown Aichi-Nagoya Japan. Under the concept of “Imagine One Heart”, Japan will undertake leading initiatives to promote para sport in Asia and contribute to achieving an inclusive society.