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Japan must open minds to disability, not just physical spaces, in time for Tokyo Paralympics

First for Japan: Daisuke Ikezaki (left) and Yukinobu Ike of Japan celebrate winning bronze medals in the playoff against Canada, which Japan edged 52-50, at the Rio Paralympics on Sept. 18. Japan won 24 medals at the games but no golds, a tally that won't be acceptable at the Tokyo Paralympics in 2020. | REUTERS

By Michael Gillan Peckitt
Special To The Japan Times

Oct 16, 2016

The 2016 Paralympic Games concluded almost exactly a month ago on Sept. 18, with Rio de Janeiro passing the host's baton to Tokyo.

The Rio Paralympics have been widely lauded for defying expectations, after the buildup to the games was dominated by headlines about funding shortfalls, potentially empty stadiums and even the possibility of national teams being stranded in their home countries without promised support grants.

However, there was disappointment for Japan, which for the first time in its Paralympic history failed to win a gold medal. While Japan had set a target of 40 medals, including 10 gold, it struggled to make just over half that number. Although Japanese Paralympians took home 24 medals, 10 silver and 14 bronze — including its first ever medal in mixed wheelchair rugby — the country only placed 64th in the final medals table.