Promoting Understanding of Para Sports "Para Sports Media Forum: Basic Knowledge of Para Sports" Held Online

Dentsu Inc. Public Relations and the Para Sports Promotion Network held the 26th "Para Sports Media Forum" online on November 5.
Approved by the Japan Sports Association for the Disabled (JPSA), the forum aims to promote media understanding of parasports competitions and para-athletes while improving coverage conditions. This session focused on "Basic Knowledge of Parasports," explaining the overview of disabled sports in Japan and the international parasports landscape.

Mr. Tomohiro Ida, Director of the JPSA Strengthening Department and Secretary General of the Japanese Paralympic Committee, spoke at the forum. He provided an explanation of basic information in a way that was easy to understand even for reporters who had recently started covering parasports.

Disability sports in Japan developed following the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games.
1965: The Japan Sports Association for the Physically Disabled was founded. The first National Sports Festival for the Physically Disabled was held.
1989: The International Paralympic Committee was founded, and the number of Japanese sports federations increased approximately threefold.
1991: The Japan Para Games were held, operated according to international rules.
1998: Nagano Winter Paralympics. Athletes were widely covered by media, gaining recognition as a high-level, compelling sport. A private consultation meeting was held by the Vice-Minister of Health and Welfare after the Games.
1999: The Japan Paralympic Committee was established. The Japan Sports Association for the Disabled was renamed the Japan Sports Association for the Disabled (JPSA), becoming the governing body for all sports for persons with physical, intellectual, and mental disabilities.
2013: Tokyo was selected to host the 2020 Games.
2014: Jurisdiction transferred from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
2015: The Japan Sports Agency was established and is currently advancing preparations for the Tokyo Games, which have since been postponed.

JPSA's goal is an inclusive society where everyone can safely and freely enjoy the value of sports. It explained that it will establish places, opportunities, and systems for people with disabilities to enjoy sports. It shared its vision for the future: by 2030, it aims to realize a vibrant, inclusive society that truly embraces diversity through expanding participation in sports and enhancing competitive ability.