Dialogue in Silence In a world without sound, transcending the barriers of language

Dialogue Japan Society is holding "Dialogue in Silence: Conversation in Stillness" (Special Sponsor: Shimizu Corporation; Special Cooperation: East Japan Railway Company, Sponsored by: Japan Tobacco Inc., Oticon Hearing Aids, Japan Airlines). A press briefing and experience session was held at the venue on the 27th, preceding the event.

"Dialogue in Silence" is a roughly 90-minute program conducted in a "soundless space" where conversation is prohibited, with participants wearing headsets to block out sound. Several people form a group and, guided by an attendant with hearing impairment, attempt to communicate solely through body language and facial expressions.

In a dimly lit room, participants engage in various games: "Hand Dance" involves creating shadow puppets around a round table; "Face Gallery" expresses emotions like joy, anger, sadness, and happiness through facial expressions; and "Playing with Signs" involves expressing "animals" and "food" using only hand gestures. Since verbal communication is impossible, participants must think and imagine what the other person wants to say and how to convey their own thoughts. After experiencing all activities, they freely exchange opinions in the "Dialogue Room."

This entertainment experience also cultivates a spirit of hospitality and enhances one's sense of service. Since its debut in Germany in 1998, it has been held in France, Israel, Mexico, Turkey, and China, with over 1 million participants in total. Japan hosted its first event last summer.

Last year saw approximately 3,500 participants, with 5,000 expected this year. As a first-time initiative, dedicated groups for children and for experiencing the event with people of diverse nationalities will be offered. Invitations to teachers and students from schools for the deaf are also planned.

Beyond this program, the Dialogue Japan Society also runs "Dialogue in the Dark," conducted in "100% pure" darkness without any light, and "Dialogue with Time," which involves repeated conversations with seniors aged 75 and above about ways of living and the passage of time.

Representative Director Kiyoe Shimura explained the history of the Dialogue projects and expressed her hopes for the response, saying, "We want people to feel, 'People are wonderful, I can trust them, helping each other is great,' in just 90 minutes."

Additionally, Shinsuke Shimura, Director of Dialogue in the Dark, announced plans to establish a "Museum of Dialogue" (tentative name) in Tokyo in 2020, where visitors can experience three dialogues simultaneously. He also revealed plans to progressively launch training courses to cultivate innovators who will work at this museum.

Shimura Kensuke stated, "Over the past 20 years, communication methods have changed with convenient tools like social media, making the world more convenient. However, there's also a tendency to form small groups with similar interests and preferences. By experiencing spaces with different cultures, we can grow ourselves."

Following last year's broadcast, the radio program "J-WAVE SELECTION SHIMIZU KENSETSU DIALOGUE IN SILENCE" will air on J-WAVE starting at 10:00 PM on July 29. A video with sign language and subtitles for the hearing impaired will be simultaneously streamed on J-WAVE's official YouTube channel.

Official Website: http://www.dialogue-japan.org/