日本語版はこちらへ (to Japanese version)
(International Sign Version)
The invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, which began on February 24, 2022, is a violation of the UN Charter that seriously threatens peace, order and life in the international community and in Ukraine, and is inhumane and not permissible. We, the Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD) strongly hope that the citizens of both Ukraine and the Russian Federation will be able to regain their peaceful lives as soon as possible.
from November 2003 Issue of Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper:
Statement by the Japanese Federation of the Deaf – October 17, 2003
A “Petition for Redress of Human Rights” was submitted to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations in May 2003. The pleaders were 107 Deaf children and parents. Their claim is that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (hereafter called MEXT) should recognize and approve the use of “Japanese Sign Language” for teaching in Deaf schools, to give training in “Japanese Sign Language” to teachers in Deaf schools, and to include “Japanese Sign Language” as one of the subject for training teachers of Deaf schools.
This Petition was taken up extensively by the media. At the 2003 General Assembly of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf (hereafter called JFD), many members expressed concern about the consistency of the contents of the Petition and the Deaf movement led by JFD. The following explains the standpoint of JFD concerning this issue:
Sign Language is indispensable for the linguistic development of Deaf children. Sign Language is needed for Deaf children to be empowered to live with a proper understanding and awareness of their disability. Based on this concept, JFD established its Education Section at an early stage in its history, and has been advocating strongly with MEXT for the use of Sign Language in Deaf schools. In order to develop mutual understanding with people involved in the education field, JFD has been holding the “Future of Deaf Education Study Conference” once every year since 1989. With the basic theme of “Use of Sign Language in Deaf Schools”, JFD has held numerous discussions and exchanges of opinions with teachers of Deaf schools.
