ABC, together with the Paralliance 2020 network of Chambers, is happy to announce our next event “Tokyo 2020 Paralympics – One Day to Go! The Impact of the Tokyo Paralympics in 1964 and 2021”.
Date: 23 August 2021
Time: 18:30 – 19:00, optional networking 19:30 – 20:00 (JST)
Distinguished guest athlete: Andreas Onea, Austrian Paralympics medalist (Rio 2016)
Main speaker: Dr. Mark Bookman, historian of disability in Japanese and global contexts
Participation fee: free
Login information:
Shortly before the meeting, please log in at Webex at https://j.mp/ParalympicsOneDayToGoLogIn
(Webex meeting number: 170 418 0262, Password: yV5JvMvhD23 (98558684 from phones))
Join by phone
+81-3 4580 8165 Japan toll
+81-3 4578 4000 Japan Toll 2
Access code: 170 418 0262
If you have trouble joining the meeting, please click the link below for instructions. https://help.webex.com/en-us/nrbgeodb/Join-a-Webex-Meeting
We recommend that you try our video conferencing system in advance of the meeting. Please test out the system at this link: https://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html
Event Overview
The Paralympics often improve accessibility for people with an impairment in the country where the Games are hosted. In fact, the Games are an excellent way to raise awareness about such people, as well as the ways in which they can lead productive and happy lives. This was particularly true in 1964, when problems faced by people with an impairment in Japan often went unseen. Indeed, the 1964 Paralympics, supported very visibly by then-Crown Prince Akihito and Crown Princess Michiko, put a whole new level of capability and way of life on display—not only for the Japanese athletes and their families and friends, but for all of Japanese society.
In the 21st century, our definition of impairment has significantly broadened as Japan’s rapidly aging society has led to a demographic shift. Leaders and citizens alike have come to realize that the needs and goals of individuals with a physical impairment often align with those of the elderly. Accordingly, they have started to leverage available knowledge, tools, and resources that will enable them to lead full and enjoyable lives.
Join Dr. Mark Bookman, a historian of disability in Japanese and global contexts at the University of Tokyo. He will use the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, which will take place August 24–September 5, and the 1964 Paralympics as case studies to explain how activists and legislation have both failed and succeeded to point a way forward for people with an impairment, who, according to the United Nations, make up 15 percent of the world’s population. And if you believe there is a correlation between aging and impairment, then that number is actually closer to 100 percent of those who make it into their golden years. Indeed, with old age on the horizon, the day may come when you also need improved access.
About the distinguished guest Paralympic athlete
Andreas Onea (born 9 July 1992), an Austrian Paralympic swimmer, represented Austria at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London and at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro. At Rio 2016, he won the bronze medal in the men’s 100 meter breaststroke SB8 event and is highly expected to perform well at Tokyo 2020.
1998, when he was almost 6 years old, Andreas lost his left arm in a serious car accident that could have been fatal. After this accident, he started swimming as a therapeutic sport. He continued the training step by step and developed an athletic performance fit for international competitive sporting events like the Paralympics.
Through his swimming Andreas shows that a disability does not have to be a reason for a reduced quality of life and neither a reason to give up on your goals and dreams. Andreas Onea today is an internationally requested motivational speaker, as well as a TV host (ORF, Austria’s leading broadcaster)
TV presenter:
„Ohne Grenzen – Das Behindertensportmagazin“(Disabled Sports Magazine)
ORF Sport+ (“Without Limits” – TV-Show about disability sports)
„Licht ins Dunkel Aktionstag“ and „Licht ins Dunkel Weihnachtsabend“ – (biggest TV charity show in Austria)
Web: http://www.andreasonea.at/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AndreasOnea
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AndreasOnea
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/andreasonea
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreasonea/
About the main speaker
Mark Bookman is a historian of disability in Japanese and global contexts based at the University of Tokyo. He holds PhD and master of arts degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, and a bachelor of arts from Villanova University. Bookman’s research has been supported by various grants and awards, including a Fulbright U.S. Student Fellowship to Japan and a Japan Foundation Doctoral Fellowship. His scholarship on disability inclusion can be found in Japan Focus: The Asia-Pacific Journal and other peer-reviewed journals, as well as public-facing media outlets such as The Japan Times and Japan Today.
Outside of the academy, Bookman also works as an accessibility consultant. He has collaborated with government agencies and corporate entities in Japan, the United States, and Canada—as well as the International Paralympic Committee and the United Nations—on projects related to inclusive education, equitable transportation, and disaster risk management for diverse populations with impairments.
For additional information about Mark Bookman, see his website: www.bookmanresearch.com
About Paralliance 2020
This joint alliance of 20 international chambers of commerce in Japan was created to support the success of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. The Paralympics are a global celebration of diversity and inclusion, sporting achievement, and personal endeavor.
NOTE 1: This event is OFF THE RECORD.
NOTE 2: Please note that, as with all guest presentations, the content and comments of the speakers reflect their own opinions and do not necessarily represent the opinions or policies of the hosting organizations.
NOTE 3: If you have trouble joining the meeting, please click the link below for instructions. https://help.webex.com/en-us/nrbgeodb/Join-a-Webex-Meeting
We recommend that you try our video conferencing system in advance of the meeting. Please test out the system at this link https://www.webex.com/test-meeting.html
Members of the Paralliance 2020 network of Chambers are:
American Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Australia/New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Austrian Business Council
Belgian-Luxemborg Chamber of Commerce in Japan
British Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan
CCI France Japon
Danish Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan
German Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan
Greek Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Finnish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Icelandic Chamber of Commerce Japan
Ireland Japan Chamber of Commerce
Italian Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Norwegian Chamber of Commerce in Japan
South African Chamber of Commerce Japan
Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Swedish Chamber of Commerce in Japan
Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry Japan