Kayoko Hosokawa, Chairperson of Special Olympics Nippon (Japan) and the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games Organizing Committee (right), poses at the medal ceremony for the 5KM snowshoeing event with Masashi Kitajima of Special Olympics Nippon. (Photo by Mioi Tamura/PHOTO KISHIMOTO)
Hosokawa awards a medal in figure skating at the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games. (Photo by Yo Nagaya/PHOTO KISHIMOTO)
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Kayoko Hosokawa, Chairperson of Special Olympics Nippon (Japan) and the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games Organizing Committee, describes the smooth success of the World Games in Nagano as just the "beginning" and "not the goal" of her job to promote the message of inclusion and acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities in Japan.
"The organization of the Special Olympics World Winter Games went well, representing the best aspects of the Japanese culture that places a lot of emphasis on hard work and warm hospitality. Japan, as the host and first Asian country to organize the World Games, has got high marks for its performance in Nagano," she said.
But Hosokawa is quick to point out that the success achieved in Nagano is no excuse for self-satisfaction. On the contrary, says the tireless ambassador, who has personally traveled back and forth across Japan to foster various campaigns to drum up support for Special Olympics. The next big step, she says candidly, is to make sure the momentum being generated now is not forgotten after the Games are over.
Youth are key
"Changing conservative attitudes is not easy, but we can do it," she said, adding that her focus is now on youth who are open to new ideas and can become leaders in bringing about change. Even as the World Games winds down, Hosokawa is making plans to push ahead with new projects that will sustain and expand the Special Olympics movement in Japan.
She revealed plans now being discussed to promote floor hockey and snowshoeing in schools through Unified Sports® teams composed of students with and without intellectual disabilities, as a key program to foster the message of inclusiveness. Yet another ongoing project is the 5 Million Person Torch Run that will resume after the Games end.
Such programs symbolize a huge leap forward in a society that, Hosokawa said, has still a "long way to go" to accept people with intellectual disabilities.
Admiration
But she passionately admires her people. "The intellectually disabled deplore fighting and show great concern for people who are sad. I have learned the importance of being gentle and caring toward others from them," she said, adding they have a large role to play as peace messengers as well as highlighting the human potential to overcome discrimination within societies.”
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