Games with people with disabilities in Japan; both technological and abusive

Digital technology is set to play an exciting role at the Tokyo Deaflympics in November, with organizers aiming to create an immersive experience that engages athletes and spectators with hearing impairments. Sounds such as those made when a ball is hit, or when fans cheer, are translated into onomatopoeic words and displayed at the table tennis venue during the Deaflympics. Monitors near the table display written characters in sync with the decisive moments of a match, offering a more immersive and visually engaging experience for spectators. An after-school day service facility for children with disabilities in Hiroshima City has been penalized after staff, including the operator’s representative, were found to routinely use wrestling moves, shouting, and hitting as a supposed form of “communication” with children—behaviour described by a former employee as a daily occurrence and treated as “part of a game.” Hiroshima City has suspended the operator Watanohana for three months. Episode Notes: ‘Abuse was “part of a game” at Hiroshima Support Facility for Children with Disabilities Facing Administrative Action’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/08/21/abuse-was-part-of-a-game-at-hiroshima-support-facility-for-children-with-disabilities-facing-administrative-action/ ‘Deaflympics: Tech innovation to immerse athletes, spectators in sport’: https://barrierfreejapan.com/2025/08/14/deaflympics-tech-innovation-to-immerse-athletes-spectators-in-sport/