Congratulations! 50th Anniversary Japan Sports Association for Persons with Disabilities

The Japan Sports Association for the Disabled (JPSA), the governing body promoting and developing sports for people with disabilities in Japan, celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 24.
The JPSA was established in 1965, following the 1964 Tokyo Paralympics, to promote the independence and social participation of people with disabilities through sports. The term "Paralympics" itself was a nickname coined in Japan for the Tokyo Games.

A commemorative ceremony was held on the 26th at Bellesalle Tokyo Nihonbashi in Chuo Ward, attended by approximately 300 people, including association and sports organization officials, Paralympians, and invited guests.
Chairman Mitsunori Torihara outlined the association's history, including the opening of the Disabled Sports Center, the establishment of sport-specific clubs, the launch of the Japan Paralympic Games (now Japan Para Games), and the organization of the Japan Paralympic Committee (JPC). He explained that following the enactment of the Basic Act on Sports in 2011, the association announced its "Vision for the Future of Disabled Sports" in 2013, aiming to realize an inclusive society through the promotion and expansion of disabled sports and the improvement of athletic skills. He stated, " The Tokyo 2020 Games present an excellent opportunity to accelerate the realization of this vision, and we are determined to implement various measures in collaboration with relevant organizations."

Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games Organizing Committee Chairman Yoshiro Mori offered congratulations, stating: "One key theme of the 2020 Games is the integration of the Paralympics and Olympics. The most important legacy of these Games is realizing a society where everyone, not just in Japan but worldwide, can enjoy sports. The Organizing Committee will strive to achieve this. I wish the Association continued growth as it approaches its 60th and 70th anniversaries."

On stage, President Torihara and the Paralympians unveiled the association's new communication mark. Designed for the 50th anniversary milestone, the mark expresses the appeal and dynamism of disabled sports—making the impossible possible—and aims to raise awareness among many people. Inspired by the feathers of a phoenix, the red color symbolizes the flame of passion in athletes' hearts as they leap toward the future.
The symbol mark originally created as the emblem for the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games will continue to be used as the association's symbol mark.

Official Association Website: http://www.jsad.or.jp/index.html