Text-to-Speech software used for 1st time in Japan’s Diet by lawmaker with ALS

Lawmaker Yasuhiko Funago, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, on Friday 27th January 2023, became the first in Japan to ask questions using a text-to-speech function of a computer in a parliamentary plenary meeting. Using the function to read out a prepared speech on his laptop, Funago urged PM Fumio Kishida to reduce defense spending. Episode Notes: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2023/01/28/lawmaker-funago-1st-to-use-text-to-speech-at-japan-diet/