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It is finally 2020. This summer, the second Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics will be held. This year, it is expected that the whole of Japan will have an exciting atmosphere, exceeding the last year's Rugby World Cup, and to be excited very much, and I am one of those who are looking forward to that time. Also, if you can watch the competition and the torch relay directly, it will surely be a lifetime memory.

At the same time, I strongly believe that 2020 must be a turning point in Japan for the future. Amidst various conflicts caused by fragmentation and disparities around the world, even if the city promotes the Kawasaki Para Movement, the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a festival of peace, will be held in Japan. In this symposium, the organizers of JTB Co., Ltd. and other companies and host towns of symbiotic society nationwide play a leading role, aiming for a true symbiotic society. We will continue our efforts.

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As a legacy of the Tokyo 2020 Games, Misawa City is engaged in a variety of initiatives aimed at realizing a symbiotic society `` Universal Town Misawa '', as a Canadian host town, a symbiotic society host town, and a leading symbiotic society host town. In particular, we are promoting measures focusing on education.

Both software and hardware are important to the realization of an inclusive society, but among them, education for children is an important step and is positioned as a major pillar.

What we value is to be experienced.

Through paralympian and other para-sports experience classes and lectures by instructors with disabilities, we hope to link children to thinking and acting.

The initiatives of each local government, including our city, will be the cornerstone of realizing a symbiotic society throughout Japan. We hope that this symposium will provide an opportunity to think about and implement barrier-free with many people.

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Congratulations on hosting the “Barrier-Free Symposium of Mind Connected from the Activities of a Leading Symbiotic Society Host Town”.

Last year, Iizuka City celebrated its 35th anniversary last year with the Iizuka International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, one of the best tournaments in Asia.

The tournament is run by a total of 2,000 volunteers, and the system is called the Iizuka Method, which has received high praise from around the world and is a symbol of the city's “barrier-free mind”.

Also, in October last year, a `` Symbiotic Society Host Town Summit in Iizuka '' was held, in which municipal officials from all over the country registered in the Symbiotic Society Host Town gathered together to ensure that everyone can live with peace of mind. The momentum for realizing Chizukuri has been raised.

Understanding and taking action is indispensable for realizing a symbiotic society, and it is important for all people, regardless of disabilities, to deepen their mutual understanding, respect and support each other. is.

Through this symposium, we hope that the barrier-free efforts of the mind will spread throughout the country and help to realize a symbiotic society.

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Finally 2020. This is the year of the Tokyo Paralympics. Paralympians from all over the world have come to Japan to show their overwhelming performance. First, cheer for the players and enjoy yourself! Then, use the power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, which are said to have the potential to change society, to deepen your understanding of disability and spread your mental barrier-free not only in Tokyo but also throughout Japan. Leading Symbiotic Society Host Town is the top runner. I hope that today's symposium will lead to further progress in universal design initiatives in leading symbiotic society host towns, spread not only to other symbiotic society host towns, but also to various places, and to establish a symbiotic society nationwide. .

This year is production! Prepare well for the success of host town exchanges with the Paralympians before and after the tournament, and involve a large number of people to further accelerate specific initiatives that lead to a symbiotic society as a legacy.