The 2020 Initiative group of the Tokyo University of the Arts’ (TUA) COI Site co-hosted an international symposium “SPORTS, ARTS & INCLUSION” with the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center and the Japanese-German Center Berlin, on 29 September.

From the 1st session, the speakers including Prof Isao Matsushita, Vice President of TUA and COI Sub Project Leader; Mr Kazuo Ogoura, President of the Nippon Foundation Paralympic Support Center; Prof. Dr. Otto Schantz (Germany) of University of Koblenz-Landau; Dr Rachel Bocher (France), President of La Cite Nantes Events Center; Prof Motoaki Fujita of Nihon Fukushi University; Ms Mizue Kobayashi, Managing Director at Aiseikai and Dr Rii Numata, Assistant Professor at Osaka City University, all made presentations from their viewpoints. In between the sessions, we had a mini performance by Ms Natsuki Hashimoto, a soprano singer and a graduate of TUA. The participants were in awe of her powerful voice and performance. In the panel discussion that followed, experts from both Japan and abroad presented their thoughts related to sports and arts; its possibility and the differences in the situation in each country. There was an active debate in front of around 100 participants, which included Mr Shokai Okita, COI Assistant Visionary Leader, who kindly attended the symposium.

Through these kinds of events based on the theme of Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the 2020 initiative group is aiming to create a society where everyone can express and share the joy of life, as well as further developing Japanese cultural contents.

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