Yasuharu Horigome
Director, Japanese Federation of the Deaf (General Incorporated Foundation)

The opening and closing ceremonies of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics were broadcast by NHK Educational TV with the addition of sign language to the images broadcast by NHK General TV.  This broadcast triggered many viewers to be interested in sign language being provided to terrestrial broadcasting, and made it possible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience the excitement of the Olympics and Paralympics in real time through sign language.

This is the result of requests from organizations, such as the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, when we saw the Olympic Opening Ceremony broadcast only with subtitles.  I have to say that the fact that the Olympics and Paralympics, which aimed to foster an inclusive society under the banner of “Unity in Diversity,” was broadcast only with subtitles has the potential perception that “with subtitles, access to information for all deaf and hard-of-hearing people is guaranteed.”  Also, one of the reasons why it was broadcast on NHK Educational instead of NHK General might have been because of the criticism that the video in sign language, which cannot be turned on and off by the viewers, is an eyesore. Thus, I feel that we have been excluded from the social framework of “people who need sign languages should watch NHK Educational,” and it is a pity that such a medical model still exists.

I believe that the social model in the field of broadcasting is an environment in which everyone can watch the same programs.  If sign language is required, the TV and remote controller should be equipped with a sign language on/off function just like subtitles.  This technology is called “H.702” used in “Me-de-kiku Terebi (Listening to TV Visually)” operated by the Organization of Broadcast Communication for Persons with Disabilities (a certified NPO).  H.702 is prescribed as the accessibility standard “JT-H702” for IPTV of the Telecommunication Technology Committee, and it is also approved as the international standard.  In addition to the broadcasters’ efforts at providing sign language, if this technology develops into the standardization of digital broadcasting, it would help promote sign language in broadcast programs.

A few days ago, the “Bill for the Promotion of Measures Concerning the Acquisition, Use and Communication of Information by Persons with Disabilities” was unanimously passed in the Health, Labour and Welfare Committee of the House of Councillors.  In addition, a review of the “Guidelines for Information Accessibility in the Broadcasting Field” is planned.  With the enactment of this bill, we hope that the target value for broadcasting with sign languages will be set high and the number of programs with sign language will be increased.  Together with broadcasters and other stakeholders, we shall continue to endeavor to realize a social model in the field of broadcasting.