Goodbye to being extremely local; Now delivering news to the world!! Receiving the baton from Chuo’s alumni and providing access to information for people with hearing impairment

▲In October, 2022, “Shuwa Q” contributed a lot in providing information related to Super Endurance Race. Source: Okayama Broadcasting “Talking about Welfare in Sign Languages”

Furthermore, thanks to the corporations of local companies, the idea of sign language broadcasting developed into the new form of “Shuwa Q (sign language Q)” and “Universal CM”. “Shuwa Q” is a video system that provides information in three ways, sign language, subtitle, and sound through reading the QR code. This system is appreciated by not just disabled people but also children and elderly people. It is utilized at shopping malls or at art exhibitions as means to explain products as well as at the scenes of disaster. Moreover, it is widely used at banks, eating places, and home electric appliances’ retail shops. “Universal CM” broadcasts commercial messages through sign language, subtitle, and sound. Additionally, we gave play-by-play motor sports announcing in sign language, and convey the contents of press conference of G7 Kurashiki Labor and Employment Minister’s Meeting in Okayama in sign language, subtitle and sound as “Shuwa Q”. In 2025, the Deaflympics will take place in Japan for the first time, so I am waiting for opportunities to come to give play-by-play announcement in sign language at the venue. I hope everyone will enjoy sports in universal way.

I have a strong feeling that people with hearing impairment are happy to listen to entertainment programs and commercial programs as they reflect the movements and trends of the society we are living now. They can realize that they are a part of the society. Another worthy point to mention is that we have conducted workshop to introduce our knowledge of sign languages broadcasting which we have cultivated in 30 years. The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and we hope that our efforts will spread out all around Japan as “Okayama Model”.

▲Giving speech at the Alumni Association Homecoming Day held in November, 2022. Awarded the First Kunpu Prize.

18 years have passed since I became an announcer, and as a member of working adult, there were so many scenes that I appreciated from the bottom of my heart to have studied at Chuo University. To tell the truth, Chuo University was not my first choice of university and I was disappointed at greenish Tama Campus located at rural area of Western Tokyo. However, Chuo was the place which seemed to have nothing, but the place where everything is available. It was not until I graduated from Chuo that I realized this truth. If you are willing to take initiative, you can do what you want. Chuo has kind of “help yourself freely” atmosphere. I was able to act as I want without worry as I knew teachers and faculty members of Chuo were always supporting me. Even now, I feel secured with the support from Hakumon-kai especially from the local Chuo University Alumni Association.

At the “Zitatsugakkai (debate club)” where I used to belong when I was a University student, I learned the importance of expressing your words to others. Plus, I learned many things from the experience of being the chairman of “Kitachosen ni rachisareta Chudaisei wo sukuukai (Group of saving the Chuo University student who was abducted by North Korea)”; difficulty and importance of making it happen and achieving the goal; connecting with others, and so on. 　

“How should I convey?” “What is the issue?” My working principle now is based on what I learned at Chuo University. Collecting information in depth will lead to a big scoop on news. I once received the FNN Annual Scoop Award and I also hold an event going beyond broadcast.