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Welcome to the English website of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD), the national organization representing Deaf persons throughout Japan. News: English-translated articles from Japanese Deaf News, JFD’s monthly newspaper. About JFD: Information on the Japanese Federation of the Deaf and its activities. About the Asian Deaf Friendship Fund of JFD An English Dictionary of Basic Japanese Signs Various Online Resources and Updates: WFD President acknowledges support towards JFD’s activities for developing the Access to Information & Communication Act (Tentative) and Sign Language Act (Tentative). (8 November 2010) “The Official Recognition of Sign Language in Legislation” — By Eiichi Takada (25 August 2004) Recent movements related to the UN Adhoc Committee Working Group draft of the Convention on Persons with Disabilities (as of 30 March 2004) Report by Eiichi Takada on the Regional Workshop towards an International Disability Convention – Bangkok, Thailand, 14-17 October 2003 “Report from Japan” – Eiichi Takada: Country Paper for Expert Group Meeting and Seminar on an International Disability Convention (2-4 June 2003 Bangkok) “ESCAP’s role in poor countries” – Eiichi Takada: from Post-Meeting Questionnaire of the Thematic Working Group on Disability-related Concerns Sixth Session (5-6 June 2003 Bangkok) Solidarity and Movements of the Deaf…
About JFD
Introduction
Further Information ProjectsHistoryAchievementsOrganizationAsian Deaf Friendship FundAn English Dictionary of Basic Japanese Signs The Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD) is the sole national organization of the Deaf in Japan, with member associations of the Deaf in 47 prefectures throughout the country. The aim of JFD is to realize full participation and equality in society for the Deaf. JFD’s basic concept is to establish an environment in which the Deaf are able to conduct independent activities and movements, gain social self-reliance through the use of Sign Language, and in which the human rights of the Deaf are protected. Specifically, JFD’s movements are aimed to introduce Sign Language into the education system for the Deaf, to further develop the Sign Language interpreter system, etc., and thereby ensure that Deaf have access to “information and communication”. JFD is also cooperating in the movement to establish residential facilities for Deaf adults (and children) with mental or other combined disabilities. In the legislative field, JFD is conducting movements to revise the Medical Law and other laws disqualifying the disabled and hindering their social participation. JFD’s movements have social impetus, backed by cooperation from 47 member associations in Japan, from the National Study Association for Sign…
Projects
NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE DEAF The National Congress of the Deaf is held every June and attracts nearly 2,000 – 3,000 people from all across Japan. The congress goals are to enhance the social self-reliance and status of the Deaf in Japan, to improve social welfare services for the Deaf, to offer information on important issues related to the Deaf, and to strengthen mutual ties. The General Assembly, which is held during the National Congress, adopts resolutions and policies for the current year related to such issues as welfare, education, labor, etc. Exhibits, performances, and meetings are held concurrently with the congress such as: the Deaf Research Subcommittee Meetings, National Deaf Art Exhibit, National Deaf Photography Contest Exhibit, National Deaf Theater Performances, Exhibit of Newsletters of Member Deaf Associations. NATIONAL GAMES FOR THE DEAF The National Games for the Deaf are held every summer and winter. The aim of the games and competitions is to build up physical and mental strength, to promote social participation of the Deaf, and increase social awareness toward the Deaf. There are baseball, table tennis, track and field, volleyball, football, tennis, gateball, bowling, badminton, softball, and basketball games in summer, and alpine ski (slalom, giant…
History
1947 May 25 JFD founded at Ikaho Hot Springs in Gunma Prefecture 1948 May 1 The first issue of the Japanese Deaf News is published 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 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 March 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 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 Nov.…
Achievements
Amendment of Article 11, Civil Code Until 1979, deaf people were legally regarded as quasi-incompetent persons (people who were pronounced as incompetent by the family court, due to the mental and/or physical diminished capacity and wasteful habit. They were required to obtain the consent from curator when they perform important legal acts related to property), thus they were not able to apply for housing loan and succeed the family business. As a result of the sustained campaign by the JFD, the Civil Code was amended in 1979. Message from a deaf person who was able to apply for the housing loan: Using the loan from the bank, I was finally able to build the house of my own. I am very happy to live my life just as the hearing people do. Photos – Left: Deaf people established the Japanese Federation of the Deaf, at the assembly at the Ikaho Hot Spring, Gunma. May 25, 1947. Right: Eiichi Takada, former Chief Secretary of the JFD, addressed about the discriminatory disadvantages by the Civil Code Article 11 at the Diet. This first-ever presentation by the Deaf at the National Assembly made a strong impact to lead to the amendment of the…
Organization
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Asian Deaf Friendship Aid Project
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Contact
The Japanese Federation of the Deaf can be contacted at the following address: Japanese Federation of the Deaf SK Bldg. 8F, 130 Yamabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0801, JAPAN Phone: +81-3-3268-8847 (Japanese speaking only) Fax: +81-3-3267-3445 (English / Japanese) Alternatively, please use the following form for your inquiries. Please do not send inquiries or requests concerning personal affairs as we do not have the resources to provide any services to individuals. Thank you for your understanding. [contact-form 1 "Contact form 1"]
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Latest POSTS
Activity Report of the UN CRPD
October 9, 2025
Remarks on the Enactment of the Act on Promotion of Measures Concerning Sign Language
August 11, 2025
Report on “Co-Interpreting Training of Skills Improvement training workshop (Face-to-face) for International Sign interpreters and Japanese Sign Language interpreters for Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics”
July 7, 2025
Mr. Ádám Kósa, the new ICSD President, visited Japan (November 13th through 17th, 2022)
December 20, 2024
Support our deaf friends and those involved in sign language who were affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake!
January 29, 2024
