Governor Koike Meets with ICSD President Adam Kosa

On November 28, Governor Koike had a meeting with Adam Kosa, President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD), the organizer of the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics.

Also present at the meeting were Ishibashi Daigo, President of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, and athletes Yamada Maki (gold medalist in men’s 400m, silver medalist in men’s 200m, and gold medalist in men’s 4x400m relay), Yuzawa Aoi (gold medalist in female team kata in karate) and Yakabe Ayaka (gold medalist in women’s doubles badminton, and gold medalist in mixed team event in badminton).

Governor Koike said, “To our surprise, as many as 330,000 spectators cheered on the athletes during this Deaflympics. The athletes delivered outstanding performances, and people around the world supported them in various ways and watched the performances with excitement. This was made possible thanks to the dedicated efforts of the ICSD and the Japanese Federation of the Deaf.”

She went on to say, “The Tokyo Metropolitan Government made extensive use of digital technologies, alongside sign language, at competition venues and various parts of the city. Using new technologies, we were able to extend hospitality to athletes and officials from around the world.”

In concluding her address, the governor said, “Looking toward the next 100 years, let’s further accelerate our efforts to realize an inclusive society. From Tokyo, we will disseminate throughout the world the principles of leveraging the power of sports to promote drastic social changes and inclusive urban and community development.”