History

1947	May 25	JFD is founded at Ikaho Hot Springs resort in Gunma Prefecture
1948	May 1	The first issue of the Japanese Deaf News is published
1948	May 10	JFD holds its 1st National Congress in Kyoto
1950	May 10	JFD is officially incorporated and registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare
1959	Oct. 7	JFD resolves at its 9th National Congress to join the World Federation of the Deaf
1966	Nov. 25	The 1st National Debate Meeting of Deaf Youth is held in Kyoto
1967	Aug. 13	Delegates from JFD are sent for the first time to the 5th World Congress of the Deaf in Poland
1967	Oct. 23	The 1st National Games for the Deaf are held in Tokyo
1968	Feb. 5	The 1st National Winter Games of the Deaf are held in Gunma Prefecture
1968	Mar. 9	JFD Board decides to form a campaign headquarters to organize the movement to give the Deaf the right to obtain drivers’ licenses
1969	May 11	JFD’s Youth Section is established at the JFD National Congress in Kumamoto
1969	Oct. 25	JFD publishes “Watashitachi no Shuwa,” a textbook on Japanese Sign Language
1971	Aug. 15	JFD moves its head office from Osaka to Tokyo
1971	Nov. 21	The 1st National Deaf Women’s Conference is held in Kyoto
1972	Apr.	Sunday classes to promote social integration of deaf adults begin
1973	June 19	30,000 petition signatures are collected and submitted to the Diet to revise the Traffic Law prohibiting the Deaf from driving
1973	Aug. 28	The Police Agency sends an official notice confirming the right of deaf persons to drive if they are wearing hearing aids
1975	Mar. 22	Eiichi Takada, then JFD Secretary General, addresses the Lower House Budget Committee on Article 11 of the Civil Code and other deaf issues
1975	May 1	JFD’s Women’s Section is established in Aichi
1976	Nov. 27	JFD begins giving certification exams for sign interpreters
1977	Feb. 1	JFD starts a campaign to collect signatures of approval on four major issues: 1) revision of the Traffic Law for the granting of driver’s licenses; 2) revision of Civil Code Article 11; 3) official recognition and support for Sign Language interpreting service systems; and 4) establishment of a center for people who are deaf or have speaking impediments.
1977	Oct. 20	JFD publishes a quarterly magazine named “The Deaf Movement”
1979	Apr.	JFD is commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to establish a sign interpreter instructors’ training program and to conduct studies on the standard sign language
1979	Dec. 11	Revision of Article 11 in the Civil Code (to delete the stipulation that describes blind persons and deaf person as quasi-incompetent) is passed in a unanimous at the 90th Extraordinary Diet. Enforcement on June 20, 1980.
1981	Apr.	JFD is commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to set up a Videocassette Library Project
1982	Nov. 29	JFD is commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to set up a committee to investigate and examine Sign Language interpreter services
1985	May 27	The “Research Report Concerning Sign Language Interpreting Services” is presented to the Ministry of Health and Welfare
1985	Aug.	1.2 million copies of “I Love Communication,” a pamphlet on Sign Language communication, are distributed
1986	June 19	A deaf political candidate is not allowed to have his campaign speeches interpreted. This sparks a nationwide campaign to allow Sign Language interpretation for election campaign speeches.
1987	July	WFD decides at the 10th World Congress of the Deaf in Finland to hold the next World Congress in Japan.
1988	May 15	JFD’s Senior Section is formed in Okayama
1988	May 20	“The Research Report on Issues such as the Standardization of the Certification Exams for Sign Language Interpreters” is presented to the Ministry of Health and Welfare
1990	July	The Deaf Movement Quarterly changes its name to Mimi Quarterly
1991	July 5	The 11th World Congress of the World Federation of the Deaf takes place in Tokyo
1993	April	JFD is commissioned by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to promote and spread Sign Language
1994	Nov. 2	JFD holds a Leadership Training Seminar for Asian Deaf Persons
1995	Nov. 13	JFD begins the “Leadership Training of Asian and Oceanian Deaf Persons” under the sponsorship of the Japan International Cooperation Agency
1995	Dec. 9	The first experimental use of a communications satellite to broadcast television programs made exclusively for the Deaf
1996	July 19	A petition on promotion for TV close-captioned broadcasting is adopted at the Diet.
1997	June 11	JFD commemorates its 50th Anniversary at the 45th National Congress
1997	June 15	JFD publishes the Japanese-Japanese Sign Language Dictionary
1998	Oct. 1	A nationwide campaign to revise discriminatory laws begins and over 2,220,000 signatures are collected.
1999	Feb. 10	A central meeting on for aiming to revise laws which discriminate against deaf people is held at Tokyo.
2000	Mar. 29	JFD submits the signatures collected in the above campaign to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the House of Councilors.
	May 19	JFD submits the signatures collected in the campaign to revise discriminatory laws to the Assistant Manager of Headquarters of Promoting the Welfare of Disabled Persons (a position held additionally by the Minister of Health and Welfare).
	Sep. 10	JFD holds a nationwide meeting for aiming to revise laws which discriminate against deaf people. A deaf Physician is invited from U.S.
2001	June 13	A law bill of “revision a part of Road Traffic Act” is resolved at the Upper House plenary session. They abolish the Clause 88 that had discriminated against the disabled.
	June 22	A law bill of “revision of several laws, including Medical Practitioners Act, so as to improve the reasons for disqualification regarding the disabled” is carried. Revise of 27 laws and 31 systems eliminate the disabled-specific absolute grounds for disqualification.
	July 17	For the first time, a license to practice pharmacy is given to a deaf person.
2002	Jan. 31	The National Center of Sign Language Education is established in Kyoto.
2003	July 1	The charity drive for facilities improvement of the National Center of Sign Language Education is started.
2004	Aug. 30	The Community Sagano is opened in the National Center of Sign Language Education.
	Mar.	JFD breaks away from the National Federation of Organization for the Disabled Persons.
	Oct. 31	The Japan Disability Forum (JDF) is established and JFD joins.
2005	Oct. 31	The “Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act” is enacted.
2006	Apr. 1	The “Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act” goes into force.
	Apr. 13	The National Police Agency decides to revise the traffic law so as to give the driver license even to persons with total deafness.
	Dec. 13	The plenary of the UN General Assembly adopts by consensus the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which defines “signed languages are included in language”. It means sign language is acknowledged across the world as one of languages.
2007	Apr. 1	Special needs education system starts. School Education Act is revised and schools for the blind, the deaf and the disabled changes their names to “Special-needs schools”. 　Opposition campaign has been conducted against the change of designations of schools for the deaf as well as unification or parallel establishment of schools for the deaf with schools for other disabilities. Currently, most of schools use the term as Special Need Education School for the Deaf to show the type of disability.
2007	Sep. 28	Japanese government signs the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
2008	June 1	Road Traffic Act is revised. A deaf person is allowed to get driver’s license without hearing aids if he uses a wide mirror and a marker to show his deafness.
2009	June 6	Campaign for national screening of “YUZURIHA”, JFD’s 60-year anniversary movie, is launched.
2009	Dec. 8	Headquarters to Promote Reform of the System for Persons with Disabilities is established under Cabinet Office.
2010	Jan. 12	The 1st Conference to Promote Reform of the System for Persons with Disabilities is held.
	May 31	National screening of JFD’s 60-year anniversary movie “YUZURIHA” is ended. The movie was shown at 517 places and seen by more than 150,000 persons.
	Aug.	JFD starts the campaign of “We Love Communication” and distributes the pamphlet “We Love Communication” to enact “Information Access & Communication Act (Tentative)”
2011	Mar. 11	The Great East Japan Earthquake – JFD launches the Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for Deaf People in the Great East Japan Earthquake and begins to assist the disaster victims. (Reorganized to the Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for Deaf People in December, 2012)
	July 29	“Basic Act for the Persons with Disabilities” is revised and “Language (including Sign Language)” is stated and enacted. (Promulgation on August 5)
	Sep. 27	JFD collects 1,163,876 signatures with the “We Love Communication” and submits them to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the House of Councilors and the Cabinet Office. Over 210,000 copies of the pamphlet “We Love Communication” are distributed.
	Oct.	The pamphlet “Sign Language Act for All” is issued to enact “Japanese Sign Language Act (Tentative)”. Forums and learning sessions start around the nation.
2012	Apr.	Instead of “Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act”, JFD demands another new act and takes the immediate claim action to members of the House of Representatives and the House of Councilors.
	Apr. 27 – May 6	“2012 World Deaf Table Tennis Championships” takes place at Tokyo.
	June 10	Along with change of organization of JFD, a new “Expert Committee System” launches at the 60th National Congress, where a record number of over 5,000 participants gathers.
	June 20	“Comprehensive Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities Act” is resolved and enacted. (Enforcement on April 1, 2013)
2013	Mar. 9	JFD forms Headquarters for Promotion of Legislation for Japanese Sign language. (Approved by JFD Board)
	Apr. 1	JFD acquires General Incorporated Foundation as a new status of legal entities under law revision.
	June	Act for Eliminating Discrimination against Persons with Disabilities, and amended Act on Employment Promotion etc. of Persons with Disabilities are adopted and enacted (in effect since April 1, 2016)
	Sep. 1	Model project of telecommunication relay service is launched by the Nippon Foundation.
	Oct. 11	The first ordinance on Japanese Sign Language is enforced at Tottori Prefecture in Japan.
	Nov. 22 – 24	JFD holds “Information Accessibility Forum” at Akihabara, Tokyo.
2014	Jan. 20	Japanese Government deposits the ratification instrument of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
	Apr. 1	The council in Ishikari city, Hokkaido, approved the Basic Ordinance on Japanese Sign Language on Dec. 1, 2013, and put it into force on Apr 1, 2014, for the first time among municipalities in Japan.
	Oct. 22	A deaf accuser reaches an advantageous settlement with the city administration of her resident area at the court over refusal of dispatch of sign language interpreters.
	Dec. 25	Over 1400 municipal councils adopts the arguments in writing (as a kind of petition) requesting Japanese Government to enact “Japanese Sign Language Act”. 100% of 47 prefectures in Japan adopt the arguments in writing.
2015	June 11	A commemoration of the foundation of JFD in 1947 is built at its birthplace in Ikaho Hot Springs resort prior to the 63th JFD National Congress in Gunma.
	Aug. 27 – 28	JFD holds the nationwide meeting – Summer Rally – for legislation of Japanese Sign Language Act.
	Dec. 11	JFD holds the nationwide meeting – Winter Rally – for legislation of Japanese Sign Language Act. 99.9% of municipalities in Japan adopts the arguments in writing requesting Japanese Government to enact “Japanese Sign Language Act”. Only one town is left for adoption.
	Dec. 12 – 13	JFD holds “Information Accessibility Forum 2015” at Akihabara, Tokyo.
2016	Mar. 3	Arguments in writing for “Japanese Sign Language Act” adopted by 100% of local municipal councils throughout the country
	Apr. 14 and 16	2016 Kumamoto Earthquake JFD launches the Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for Deaf People in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake and begins to assist the disaster victims.
	Oct.	JFD launches screening rally of documentary film, “Step by step, further forward” (seen by 30,000 people)
	Dec.	JFD releases “JFD position paper on cochlear implant”.
	Dec.	JFD releases pictograms representing sign language and communication by writing.
2017	June	JFD commemorates its 70th Anniversary at the 65th National Congress. JFD invites the 112th WFD board meeting to Fukuoka (May 29-June 2).
	June 12	Parliamentary Association for the Promotion of the Deaflympics in Japan is launched under the Caucus for Promoting Disability Sports and the Paralympics, Parliamentary Association for the Promotion of the Deaflympics in Japan.
	June 20	JFD releases a memorial publication for its 70th anniversary, “Toward the full participation to society and equality”.
	Oct.	Governors’ Assembly to Promotion of Sign Language recognizes members applying from all the prefectures in Japan.
	Dec.	United Nations proclaims September 23 as the International Day of Sign Language.
2018	Jan.	JFD launches a working team to respond to the forced sterilization under the former Eugenic Protection Act, and conducts an investigatory survey.
	June	A special resolution on the bid of the Deaflympic Games to Japan is adopted at the 66th JFD National Congress.
	Sep. 23	The first celebration event of the International Day of Sign Language is held in Japan.
	Oct. 24	First-ever real-time captioning is conducted at the live broadcasting of the national Diet (Policy speech by the Prime Minister).
2019	Mar. 25	Sign language interpretation for the urgent press conference of the Japan Meteorological Agency starts.
	Apr. 24	Legislation to pay lump-sum to the victims of the forced sterilization under the former Eugenic Protection Act is enacted.
	Oct. – Nov.	JFD produces “Bloom,” film celebrating its 70th anniversary.
2020	Jan. 20-23	President and CEO of International Committee of the Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) visit Tokyo, Japan.
	Apr.	JFD cancels all the JFD-organized events in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. JFD launches COVID-19 Crisis Management Headquarters.
	July	Production of JFD 70th anniversary film, “Bloom” is released; premier in Kanagawa
	Oct.	JFD General Assembly is held online (live broadcast from four sites)
	Oct.	Deaflympics 2025 Bid Preparation Division is launched.
2021	June	JFD General Assembly is held online (live broadcast for all the participating associations)
	June	JFD extraordinary resolution on enforcement of the movement to eliminate eugenic ideology is adopted.
	Jul. 1	Telecommunication relay service as public infrastructure started.
	Jul. 26	JFD submits an urgent request to both NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) and Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association, for sign language interpretation of the live broadcast of opening and closing ceremonies of the Games.
	Sep.	Four DPOs for visual and/or hearing disability have an online meeting with the minister of state for the promotion of COVID-19 vaccination
2022	May 19	Act on the Measures to Promote Information Accessibility and Communication for Persons with Disabilities is passed into law.
2022	Sep. 10	Tokyo is selected as a host city of the 25th Summer Deaflympic Games at the 49th ICSD Congress.