Research Journal on
the Problems ofSign Language Interpretation

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National Research Association for
Sign Language Interpretation

National Research Association for Sign Language Interpretation (NRASLI, Japan) was established in June 1974, whichmarks the 41st anniversary this year. Its membership was
287 at the time of the inauguration, which grows currently
to more than 10,300 across the country. NRASLI is a groupof those who are interested in sign language and the Deaf,
consisting of JSL interpreters, sign learners, healthcare
professionals and experts in various ﬁelds. It has local chapters in each of 47 prefectures and plays an active role inlocal and national levels.
NRASLI has established and been developing the system ofsign language interpretation in Japan, working together
with Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD). It has also been
publishing a quarterly magazine to keep its members up-todate on movements and situations surrounding the Deaf.
This is an English translation of an extract of some articles
from the magazine focusing around natural disasters to
inform our colleagues around the world of a part of ourworks. We hope this can be of any help to you.
Last but not least, this is also available on the NRASLIs website. We hope you will share this with many colleagues.
UMEMOTO Etsuko
Manager of the International Division
National Research Association for Sign Language Interpretation (NRASLI)
2015.12

Contents
History of National Research Association for Sign Language
Interpretation (NRASLI) and Sign Language Clubs

YAMAGATA Keiji ……………………………………………………… １
Sign; What an Intriguing Language

SAITOH Ichiko ……………………………………………………………… ６
ENERGY TO LIVE ON ‒ step up to the new stage from reconstruction -NAGAYAMA Aya ……………………………………………………… 16
What I want to appeal in the movie Messages of Life

HAYASE Kentaro ………………………………………………………… 21
Disaster Prevention Eﬀorts
Eﬀorts of the Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for Deaf People

ISHINO Fujisaburo …………………………………………………… ・23
March Eleventh Statement
Three years since Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami ………………………… 26
Challenge Sign Language Crossword …………………………………………………………………………………… 28
Readerｓ Column ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30

History of National Research
Association for Sign Language
Interpretation(NR ASLI) and
Sign Language Clubs
YAMAGATA Keiji, NRASLI Board

INTRODUCTION

The sign language club I belong to meets weekly at the same time and the same place. It consists ofvarious people; students, workers, and professionals, young and elderly, men and women. Throughsign language club activities, we can learn sign language, socialize with the deaf and know social issues

among the deaf.
The club is located in a small city between Kyoto and Nara, and I have been a secretary of the Clubfor more than 30 years. I will explain about some activities and cases in Kyoto to give you some ideasof‘Sign Language Clubs’and its background. The society has drastically changed from what it was 50
years ago, when the first sign language club was established. However, the history will teach us whatshould be handed down today.
NRASLI's research and activities are based on local activities. It has two aspects: sign language club
regular meetings where we meet with the deaf, and active interactions where we learn about the deaf
and its associations.

LOOKING AT LIVES OF THE DEAF
Shopping with Interpreters“On grocery shopping, I can buy fish I know well, but may hesitate to try new one. That makes ourdaily life too simple and boring. A fish seller may say‘Hey, ma'am, why don't you try this today's
special? It's very fresh and good for sashimi.’We cannot hear it, so our life must stay the same.”(quotedfrom Mimizuku 40th anniversary,“Tips of key-note speech”)
Deaf associations in Kyoto, sign language clubs, and NRASLI Kyoto discussed more than 30 years ago
when and where the deaf would need sign language interpreters the most. One deaf said,“I need sign
language interpreters on grocery shopping.”Another said,“You should take care of it by yourself.”
When the chair asked the first person why she needed a sign language interpreter on grocery
shopping the most, the comment above came back. I was impressed that the regular discussion series
put its priority on accepting every single remark by attendees.

The deaf and freedom in the society

If we can talk with a fish seller freely, we can cook a new fish for dinner and the family will enjoy it.

The deaf have difficulty doing this. It means they do not have freedom in the society, nor do they havethe same lives as the others. I came to realize that the deaf need sign language interpreters to have1

freedom in the society.
What does“to have freedom in the society”means? This question has impacted on all parties; sign
language interpreters, sign language learners, and the deaf.

Sign language clubs in a community

After that, we started developing branches of sign language club“Mimizuku.”Along with this, sign
language training classes started locally. Only some employed sign language interpreters could notmeet every single need from the deaf. We thought it would be better to have more people who could
sign in the neighborhood.
Kyoto Prefectural Government offers Sign Language training classes, but sign language clubs arepart of its operation committee members and develop advertising and publicity for the classes. They
research where the deaf usually go and what the deaf use in their daily life. They sometimes hand out
a class brochure with the deaf to advertise, and sometimes ask the government to set up classes at achild care center. Classes should be available at local places for the deaf, such as a child care center.
1981 was the International Year of Disabled Persons and its theme was“Full participation andequality.”Sign language training classes are now called“Sign Language Volunteers Training Course.”
Instructors are being trained as well. The original purpose for the classes was to increase the numberof people who could sign in the region. In smaller cities, all members of the local deaf association act
as instructors. What does this mean to the society? They say that the deaf should facilitate theirown life in the society. Teaching sign language to local beginners is a good start to participate in
the society. Although we do have textbooks, we put more focus on learning living sign by the deaf.
Deaf instructors, using local sign language, should socialize with local learners. Then they come tounderstand each other through the same sign language. This kind of society truly respects humanrights of the deaf.
Sign language clubs are not the place only for sign language interpreters. They are the place where
we can learn life of the deaf and sign language. We have been committing on establishing better social
system for the deaf. Besides, we have been trying to spread interaction through sign language.

Sign language clubs and NRASLI?

NRASLI and sign language clubs are independent organizations and have different systems. But many of
NRASLI members belong to local sign language clubs. After the grocery shopping discussion, some sign
language interpreters who were professional, and who were interested in this issue, came to form a groupspecialized in study and research on the deaf. That is how NRASLI started.
Meanwhile, each sign language club was a group of people. Then their commitment shifted to takeactions to get involved with a wide variety of people. Each group has expanded, and become an
embracing system.
Both NRASLI and sign language clubs have common missions aimed at the society: to achieve a
fulfilled life of the deaf, to motivate sign language interpretation and to establish a system of sign
language interpretation to support the deaf. Under these common missions, both organizations have2

grown independently.
The more sign language clubs have grown, the more of their members become interested in NRASLI.
Sign language clubs need to keep evolving, without conflicting with NRASLI.

To make more friends

In 1979, at the 8th World Congress of World Federation of

the Deaf in Bulgaria, an essay,“The History and Ideas ofSign Language Interpretation in Japan”was presented. Thisessay says, at medical settings,“The deaf patient knew that
communication with hearing people could be possible with thehelp of sign language interpreters and an effort by himself.”Thegrocery shopping discussion had taught us the importance forthe deaf to make new friends with their own effort. The basic
demand for“freedom in the society”depends on how much the deaf makes an effort, although thesystems of sign language interpretation may grow and sign language club activities become more
active.

HISTORY OF NRASLI AND ITS ORGANIZATION
History of NRASLI and its organization

In 1974, NRASLI was established. It was after the 7th National Meeting of JSL Interpreters, annex

to the 23rd National Congress of the Deaf JFD in Aomori. 287 people became members of theorganization. In April of 1978, the national survey showed the number of“employed sign language
interpreters”was 135. Not every sign language interpreter was a member of NRASLI. This means
NRASLI consisted of not only interpreters.
NRASLI's establishment helped many sign language clubs throughout Japan. In 1970, the government
started the Training Program for Sign Language Volunteers, and in 1973 the Posting Program of Sign
Language Interpreters at a Local Office started. These two new systems helped the expansion of sign
language clubs nationwide.
Back then, the word of“a welfare office”was signed as“trains”“discount”and“place.”Why was that?
A welfare office was first established under the new law,“Physically Disabled Welfare Act”in 1950.
The welfare office was the place for the deaf only to get a National Railway discount pass.
Since the Physically Disabled Welfare Act started, Japanese Federation of the Deaf (JFD) has pushed
the government for posting social workers and counselors who could sign, and later, sign language
interpreters at a welfare office. JFD has asked government to create deaf-friendly systems.
The name of‘National Research Association for Sign Language Interpretation’symbolizes the idea
the sign language interpretation should act as liaison between the deaf and the society. I heard thatthe organization was once called“Association for Sign Language Research,”but the research should bedone by the deaf who needs to use sign language.

3

The 1st National Meeting of JSL Interpreters

The 1st National Meeting of JSL Interpreters, the former organization of NRASLI, was held in
Fukushima, in 1968. Mr. Itabashi, former JFD board, was in charge of arranging the meeting. In 1966,
when the 1st National Debate Meeting of Deaf Youth was held in Kyoto, he was shocked to see many
hearing people were using sign language. Then he thought,“Something unbelievable will happen soon.”This surprise might make him arrange the meeting. They say almost everything related to the deaf
always has started in Kyoto. He just wanted to start something new outside Kyoto, he said.
At that time, only one or two teachers at prefectural schools for the deaf could sign. The deaf,
therefore, had to ask their teachers to interpret. Under this situation, complete welfare system could
not be established.
They wanted to teach sign language to many people, hopefully some of them not their teachers to
become interpreters. For the deaf, in a sense, this means“independence from deaf school.”
Also, at the 1st National Meeting of JSL Interpreters,“Two essays regarding Sign Language”(TheJapanese Deaf News vol.206) was presented. One of the essays was“On Interpretation,”which focusedon the rights of the deaf. For some attendees, it was the first time to know that interpretation was theright of the deaf to be guaranteed. They always had such feeling. They just did not know how to put
it into words. The idea of the right of the deaf was shown in the theme of the 4th Meeting,“The Rightof the Deaf and Sign Language Interpretation,”and in that of the 6th,“Sign Language Interpretation to
Secure the Right of the Deaf.”

Articles and membership

Above is how NRASLI was established. The aim of the Articles of the organization is as follows:
Article 5: Our aim is to conduct a learning and research of sign language, sign language interpreters,
and deaf issues, and to organize people involved in sign language, and solidarity with deaf movement,
including the JFD movement, to improve the social status of the welfare of the deaf and of sign
language interpreters.
In 2003 we conducted a questionnaire survey and 4,596 out of 10,523 NRASLI members responded.
87.38% of them are female and more than half are in their 40s to 50s. The occupation varies; office
workers, civil employees, shopkeepers, self-employed, teachers, doctors, nurses, kindergarten teachers,
lawyers, bank employees, homemakers, and so on.
People may think NRASLI is a group only for certificated sign language interpreters. As shown above,
however, our membership consists of those with different backgrounds, who support the aim of the
Articles.
We, at the Winter Workshop, do have working session on interpretation. We also discuss other themes
on deaf people's life in the society, such as research of sign language, medical or labor issues, sign
language clubs, facilities for the deaf, and activities to spread sign language. Even in regional chapters,
study sessions are available for its members.
In addition, we think research on professional fields is necessary to create and improve the social
system. To give many people opportunities to learn sign language and deaf issues is also one of our
4

important activities.
日本国憲法では、国民は個人として尊重され、すべての基本的人権を享有することができると規定しています。聴覚障害者にとって、“We Love Communication” pamphlet
distribution

コミュニケーションの確保や生活情報の獲得は、市民として生活す施策によりなされる必要があります。
聴覚障害者が国民として尊重されるためには、コミュニケーショ

生きる権利を守る法の整備を

１．制度改革に聴覚障害者の意見反映をンと情報が基本的人権の行使に必要な条件として保障されることが2009（平成21）年12月８日、政府は内閣総理大臣を本部長とする

大切な問題です。手話通訳や要約筆記、盲ろう者向け通訳・介助が「障がい者制度改革推進本部」を設置し、障害者権利条約の締結に必

社会生活のすべての分野で保障される制度が強く求められています。

要な国内法の整備をはじめとするわが国の障害者に係る制度の集中

The oldest sign language study group is“Mimizuku”in Kyoto.

的な改革をおこなうこととしました。

日本国憲法
第11条 国民は、すべての基本的人権の享有を妨げられない。この憲法が国民に保障する基本的人権
は、侵すことのできない永久の権利として、現在及び将来の国民に与えられる。
第13条 すべて国民は、個人として尊重される。生命、自由及び幸福追求に対する国民の権利について
は、公共の福祉に反しない限り、立法その他の国政の上で、最大の尊重を必要とする。

It was established in 1963, started as“Meeting for Parents andChildren.”They had a sketching event, a Christmas party, a

第３部

るための基礎的な条件であり、平等な生活を確保する最低限の行政25

24

home visit, and a tutor service for children of deaf parents. In 1966, in response to a query from the
Ministry of Health and Welfare, they answered;“Sign language volunteer groups cannot be possible
without welfare officers for the deaf and training institutions of officers with sign language skill.
Volunteers are just supporters and are not in an administrative position. Nevertheless, in Japan, toomuch heavy roles are vested in volunteers, which cause problems.”In wake of this appeal, the Ministryof Health and Welfare started the Training Program for Sign Language Volunteers in 1970.
We tried to solve some social problems through sign language club activities which led establishmentof some social systems. It was not always satisfactory, though; sign language clubs have kept
advocating better systems. In other words, the social system never came spontaneously. Continuoussocial activities with deaf community contributed establishment of new systems.
The proposal of construction of the deaf center, driver's license permission, posting sign language
interpreters at government offices, Civil Code Article 11 amendment,“I Love Communication”
pamphlet distribution, (after distribution of 1,200,000 copies, Sign Language Interpreting Skill Certifying
Examination was established), signature collection to revise discriminatory laws, and so on. Thesenationwide activities to solve problems have promoted the revision of deaf-related welfare policies inJapan.
Now we are promoting“We Love Communication”pamphlet distribution and collecting signatures.
Communication is a right to live. We want to promote this nationwide and have an adequate law.
Central Headquarters for Institutional Reform for the Deaf, consisting of various groups including
NRASLI, has started its action. In order to achieve distribution of 300,000 copies and collecting 1,200,000
signatures, cooperation between local deaf associations and sign language clubs was necessary.
Getting support by local communities, promoting unified action simultaneously can help to solve various
problems. Sign language clubs need to be more active in the society than before by showing empathy
with nationwide issues. I hope each of us to keep moving, as a NRASLI member, as a sign language
club member, or as being a part of a local action body.

For all communities to accept Sign Language conversation

To break communication barriers in the society, development of laws by national and local
governments is necessary. Sign language clubs play an important role in making all the communities
accept sign language conversation, by spreading and deepening understanding nationwide. Each deaf
shows us what deaf people's life is like. Then we can promote sign language conversation in the society.
This is the very basics of sign language clubs.
5Sign; What an Intriguing Language
signs by SAITOH Ichiko

6

translation

The students one by one got into the train (bound for the School for the Deaf).
One day when we were chattering in sign language, we were stared at and laughed at by somehearing passengers. So I asked the conductor to let us get on the freight cars so that we could
sign freely.

a steam locomotive( other students )(I)
get on the train get on the train

connection vehicle

deafhearing people we were stared at uncomfortable

sign language

chattering

we were laughedatawkward7

explanation

When she signs her riding on the train, her right hand and left hand express different students.
Exchanging signing hands makes us understand who gets into the train. The shift of the hands
can express the subject's change. In her vivid face, we can see that she signs freely on the freight
car different from the passenger car.

what
the conductor( what shall I do )I say

we all go

sign language

8

freight car

chattering

possibletranslation

On the way to school, some women peddlers got on the train with fish and fish cakes to sell, whichsmelled bad, but we were there together.

on the way

fish cakes

women peddlers

sell

for

in the basket

fish

smell badbut

we went together

explanation

Some women peddlers were also on the freight car. While they met each other every day, they
became friends. On the DVD you can see their relationship.

9

translation

When the principal on the stage talked to us at the morning meeting, he spoke only by his voice.
We pretended to understand him. We could not really see his mouth moving though. Now I know
it was something funny. We, deaf, were just looking at him. We didn't know what he said. It was
the time of oralism.

morning meetingstage

speak only by his voice

10

time

the principal

student

standreallycan't seestand in line

everyoneknow(now) think

deaf

don't know

everyoneoralism

respect

situation

funny

just looking

explanation

Her eyes look like following the principal's mouth which is moving very far. In her face, we cansee how they were taken there and how they were standing.

11

translation

When I went to my friend's house we could sign while her mother was out. But once her mothercame back, my friend told me to stop signing because her mother would scold her. I was so
surprised.

I

go to my friend's house

we chatted in signmothermotherwent out

my friend said something

scold me

what?

I see

explanation

She was never scolded when she was signing at home.
But at her friend's home the parents had educated their daughter in strict oralism.
We can see how much she was surprised from her face. Please watch how their conversation looks
like on DVD.
12

translation

When the local government were planning to build an information service center for the deaf in
Shimane Prefecture, the federation of the deaf had carried on negotiations with them to build thecenter next to the office of the federation. However, they didn't accept it. The center and the office
were built separately on the 3rd floor and the 5th floor. She had to walk up and down every time
she asked for interpreters.

the federation of the deaf

impossible

no wayinterpreterask

officebuilt separately
on the 3rd floor
and the 5th floor

negotiation

somethingerrandgo up and down

explanation

She worked as an official for the federation and were busy walking up and down in the building of
the welfare center. Her sign, running around the workplace, enables us to imagine her situations atthat time.
13

translation

I have taught many people at the sign language interpreters training course but still we have few
interpreters. It's because they can't get a job as an interpreter after their graduation. Even if theypassed the exams and got certificated, they couldn't be always hired as an interpreter.

sign language interpreters

graduation

14

they come one after anothertraining

teach

now

interpretation

possible

few

place

nowherereasonpass

employment

explanation

She has been involved in the training of sign language interpreters for 10 years. We can see in her
signs that she trained many people and they completed the course. Now she faces the problem of
their not getting a job as an interpreter and shortage of deaf trainers.

15

ENERGY TO LIVE ON- step up to the new stage from reconstruction NAGAYAMA Aya NRASLI Research Journal Division
Miyagi Prefecture, the nearest area to the epicenter of the Great East Japan Earthquake, washit by a massive tsunami on the coast which was caused by the earthquake and killed many
people. The casualties only in Miyagi Prefecture are much more than the ones in the Great
Hanshin Earthquake. When I visited there just two years ago, there were heaps of debris andbroken houses everywhere. I also found a fishing boat on the field. That was a real graphic
disaster area then. Three years have passed since the earthquake. I asked our peers in Miyagi
what they had been going through and where they were going to share their feeling.

Reporting area: Mimi-sapo Miyagi, Sendai City

(mimi:“ear”in Japanese, sapo: Japanese abbreviation of a word“support”)“Miyagi Information Support Center for the affected deaf”(known as: Mimi-sapo Miyagi,
hereinafter called: Mimi-sapo) situated in Sendai
City, Miyagi Prefecture, is assigned as a disaster
rescue headquarters from Miyagi Prefecture ona single-year basis. There is no waiting room or
meeting room in the office because the workers in
Mimi-sapo work mainly outside the office. I talked
with Ms. SHOJI Yoko, the secretary general,
who had been working for the office since its
establishment, about what they had done until thenand the vision for the future.

Mimi-sapo Miyagi

Develop Contacts

At the beginning, Mimi-sapo had a main role of going the rounds to evacuation centers andtemporary houses of the deaf and giving information to them. However, as the deaf had been verystrongly united together before, Mimi-sapo made municipal governments which take care of their
inhabitants' basic life needs recognize the needs of the deaf. It was because they were amazed at
the fact that some workers even in a welfare division at a ward office had never met the deaf.
Ms. Shoji had been playing an active role in NRASLI Miyagi Chapter and movement with thedeaf and started this job. She became aware of a need that government itself had to change
its consciousness of the deaf. Then she came up with the idea for a salon(social lounge) for the16deaf which the local government can lead the management ofand organize to practice“Fax 119”(emergency fax) with thefire department. She considered what caused them trouble
and what kind of system could make their life easier, thenshe urged proposals which could empower the deaf. Somelocal governments agreed with her so that she could put her
proposals into a practice a few times in a year. After that she
received inquiries from the local governments from the next
year to ask what they were going to do. She believed that her
action was right.

Ms. SHOJI Yoko

Participating in a meeting of the local government, she made a request that the deaf shouldorganize an emergency evacuation drill together from the beginning and the prefectural officeanswered“not only the deaf but also the blind together.”She found that in a disaster, only a deaf
community is not enough to help each other, and that it is necessary to get involved in the relatedsocieties and other persons with disabilities.
The session had been held on a weekday by Mimi-sapo salon. She tries to work on other relevantbodies if only a little. For example, she made a suggestion to the Fire Headquarters,“Why don't
you hold the Fax 119 training session? If you do it, we can work together.”Even if it is notrealized soon, she doesn't mind. She always promotes Mimi-sapo outside so that somebody may
remember it whenever needed.
One day, they had a session how to use a disaster message board through E-mail at the entrance
lobby of Ishinomaki City Hall. Unexpectedly, a lot of people came close and saw the session. Thattime it was very effective for the City Hall to organize events in such open areas. These kinds ofgood ideas, such as to have a session in the entrance lobby, often come to their minds during achat in lunch time. Actually, they have a lot of trouble and have a hard time to realize such ideas,
but it is challenging and worth accomplishing.
They built a website and now we can search for it
by“Mimi-sapo.”The deaf, hard-of-hearing, and theirfamilies see it and come to ask for some advice, andit's getting more and more popular. Then we foundpost-lingual deaf and age-related deaf as well as thoseborn deaf would like to get much information. They
let a hard-of-hearing association known to them, andthey recognized how comfortable they were to bewith and to talk to people with the same disabilities.
The members of the association have been increasing.
Mimi-sapo has made an effort to arrange such contacts.
Support map of Mimi-sapo Miyagi

17New Development

Considering the deaf, Mimi-sapo, which started with the disaster, is now aware of the fact thatthe communities have to change themselves and is shifting its activities from individuals tosociety. They are now willing to support others and develop their activities instead of having been
supported since the disaster. In 2014 they will become an information service center through a big
effort of people concerned.
Preparing for the foundation of the information service center, nine parties concerned got together
and set up a preparatory committee, Miyagi Deaf Related Parties Council. Some members cannot
imagine what the center is and how it works. They are talking over what they want to do andwhat they can do at the information service center with each other.
After establishing the information service center, it is not certain if the name“Mimi-sapo”willremain. However, they are sure that they'll keep working in outreaching style which they havebuilt to date.“We completed the activity for its foundation and we'd love to add some more toit. We will promote Mimi-sapo, where everyone can get advice about deafness, and we'd like todiffuse a good environment in which everyone can imagine that a person walking in front could be
deaf,”said Ms. Shoji. Let's encourage the development of Mimi-sapo in future together!

Reporting area: Ishinomaki City
The wind from the beach is so icy as if it were piercing my cheeks. It is still such a severe
situation that if you stay outside just for ten minutes, you may nearly lose your consciousness, but
it is the fact that refugees have to be suffering from such situation as living in temporary houses
made of thin zinc iron.
This time, I talked with some members from San Juan Group (in Ishinomaki Region) and others
including six deaf, fifteen in total. Their high laughter was ringing in the room in which theheating facility was broken.

Looking back at the disasterHow did they feel or what did they do in the aftermath of the disaster?
・I was just struggling to save my own life.
・I believed that as adults' behavior or conducts had been bad, God gave us punishment, or theearth got angry with us.
・I strongly wished the furious shake stopped immediately.
Ms. Ishigaki, the leader of the group, thought,“I'm single, and I shouldn't give trouble to others.
I have to go back home anyway.”She drove toward the beach and parked her car. Walking into
her house, she was made to stop strongly by her neighbor. She changed her mind and drove her
nearby friends to evacuate to a higher hill. She spent the whole night with some friends enduring
18

aftershocks, the cold and hunger. She still remembers
the blinking starry sky on the day very clearly which
flickered and lighted the blackout city because thetsunami had swept away all the houses and lights. On
the next day, she found cars and ships lying in theditches and she felt she was unfamiliar with the place.
She couldn't understand what the hell had happened
there and just drove her car to her house. However,
Welcome board

Self-Defense Forces stopped her and for the first time
she learned the tsunami had engulfed the city.

Ms. Abe saw the city being swept away by the tsunami. She can't get over the fact and can't
still watch the image in a news program. However, what brings tears to her eyes is not suffering
but happiness. Here is an episode. A few days after the disaster, she got information about thetemporary public bath, and she went to take a bath and refreshed herself to her satisfaction. On
her way home she murmured to herself,“I won't be able to take a bath for some time.”Then astaff member answered,“You can come again this evening.”She was so moved and could not stop
crying because their warm kindness came straight to her heart.
Mr. Kimita, deaf, said,“I wanted to go to an elementary school soon which is designated as anevacuation center, but the water remained there, so I waited for it to recede for four days. I got
the information from civil servants that sign language interpreters had come here. I was very
glad I could talk a lot with the interpreters sent from across the nation. They interpreted suchinformation related to my daily life as faulty electric equipment or tatami mat and so on. That was
useful to begin and promote the interpreter placement system. I was really appreciated from thebottom of my heart that they dispatched sign language interpreters from all over the nation.”

Good Associates, Before and Always

Right after the disaster, they didn't know where each of their friends stayed, and the hall where
they always gathered was used as an evacuation center, therefore, they couldn't operate the sign
language club for the time being. They couldn't charge their mobile phones, fax machines were
washed away and they lost their friends' numbers. Worrying about their deaf friends or associatesof NRASLI Miyagi Chapter, they had been struggling for a living on their own. Some time later,
the hall where they had used as a rendezvous point of the club was made free to use. Because new
temporary houses were built, they didn't need the evacuation center any more. Gradually theycalled each other and they could restart the sign language club activity. They were really glad toknow that they had gotten through the days and to see each other again and said,“I could comeout of depression.”
Mr. Wakayama, deaf, said,“The relationship between the deaf and the club members has neverchanged before and always. Even a disaster couldn't devastate it.”You can see your friends, getinformation and have a pleasant time in the club anytime. It wasn't long before they gathered at19

the place and began to operate the activity.

New Encounters Brought by the Disaster

During the time, they received many offers to interact with them from all over the nation. They
got an invitation,“Please come to our place to feel at ease,”and then they made a bus trip
once. They met a deaf rider by chance on the way and they still keep in touch with each other.
Supporters from abroad visited them and offered some help. They would love to welcome visitorswith their best hospitality because visitors will come to contact and interact with them, so they
have gatherings and meetings besides their regular activities. They sometimes have a conflict of
extra spending for the occasion, but supporting and encouragement is more than happy to themand they always have a wonderful time.
They still keep contacts starting from the disaster. Whenever they meet visitors, they wear
T-shirts with“Fight! Miyagi”printed on them. The T-shirts were made for a charitable purpose
and Ms. Miyazawa, Chapter Chief, sent them to the members. At first, they hesitated overaccepting the plan which offered them exemption of membership fee of NRASLI, but they changed
their mind and decided to receive the goodwill, being bold and obedient.“I am grateful for all yourhelp,”said Ms. Ishigaki and smiled wiping her eyes.

Changing

Ms. Endo said with deep emotion,“We will face the real suffering of the disaster.”That means that
gradually cities are recovering and so they will see the gap between the rich and the poor, and thegap of the environment. Short after the disaster, there was almost nothing and everyone was even.
They were happiest to recognize that they themselves survived and their acquaintances werealive. Sharing just one rice ball together and getting warmed around a heater with random chat
was the most precious time then. However, those who had empathy with each other will brake up
little by little as the recovery advances. Change is no surprise, but there are some people who areleft and forgotten behind recovery. It's very difficult to live a life every day having to worry about
the future constantly.
Their current sincere hope is that they would like tohelp and encourage others a lot in return.“However,
we have neither houses nor jobs nor money.
Therefore, we would like to repay you showing ourcheerful life. It will take us a long time and a lot ofeffort to recover the city completely, but it's OK, we
are doing fine. Please come and see us in Ishinomaki!”It's been three years since the disaster, and peoplein Miyagi are now on the way to rise up again bythemselves.
Colleagues in Ishinomaki

20What I want to appeal in the movie“Messages of Life”
HAYASE Kentaro,

Director

This movie was made for the purpose of showing at the United Nations world conferences on
disaster reduction.
It was intended to be a 30 minute movie, but finally completed a 37 minute movie. This 37 minutemovie, including extra 7 minutes, is my completed work.
Most movies and TV programs we see has no subtitles. At the time they are completed, they havea barrier to the deaf and the blind. So, a voice guide, a subtitle, and sign language interpretation
should be put into a completed work.
Since subtitles are put in later, the number of the words depends on where they are put and how
long they are shown. The same is true when you put sign language interpretation in the wipe.
And wiped sign interpretation may be forced to be small due to the limit of position shown. A
voice guide for the blind, what is worse, may be difficult for them to understand because of thetime limitations.
The movie“Messages of Life”was edited considering that we would put subtitles and a voice
guide in it. I edited the movie in order that it could have sufficient time for subtitles and a voice
guide. As for a sign language narrator, a sign language interpretation was expected to be inserted
when shooting. When editing, I put a sign interpreter who in size is easy to see for the deaf, notin the wipe. That is why the completed movie is 37 minutes. I'm sure this is truly a barrier-freemovie.
My main aim to make this movie was to show persons in charge of disaster reduction in the world
what is a barrier-free movie like as well as to have the content of the movie understood.
Lots of the deaf were killed in the Great East Japan Earthquake. I believed when I collectedmaterials for the movie that a little information might have saved those victims. Think of theinformation by a radio disaster prevention system set up in the town, for instance. No information
through the system was delivered to the deaf. It is not significant that the deaf could not get suchinformation but that the presence of the deaf, in the first place, had not been recognized at thetime the radio system was built. The radio disaster prevention system itself was a barrier for thedeaf. The situation might have changed if they had been aware of the fact that the deaf also lived
in the region, or if some people had thought about how to send disaster information to the deaf.
21

We should have in mind that many deaf people still live all over Japan.
And the deaf live not only in Japan but also in every region in every country in the world. And
so do those with disabilities, such as the blind and the deaf-blind. The extra 7 minutes have mywish that people in the world should know the fact and consider barrier-free disaster prevention
system.
If most people in the world try to make it barrier-free from the beginning, I hope they can save somany lives of the persons with disabilities.
Already in a barrier situation, it is necessary to try an effort to make it free, as well. Most of thosedeaf who survived the Great East Japan Earthquake were told by their neighbors that tsunami
would come. It is essential to take ties with the local community into consideration when you think
about the disaster and persons with disabilities. Daily ties with the community can free the various
barriers surrounding the deaf.
However, the reality is that the deaf have difficulty in having ties with the community though
they know it is important and necessary to have them. Not a few deaf people are worried about
how they should have such ties. One of the reasons is that schools for the deaf far away from theirhome make it difficult for them to connect with the community, and then they are less likely to
be conscious of necessity of having ties with it. Some of the deaf who watched the movie thought,“Thinking of disasters, we ought to have ties with the community.”But it means that they are
obliged to connect themselves with the community in order to get help in case. Why shouldn't weconsider what we can do for others as a member of the community? We do what we can do andwe may get help to do what we cannot do. That is how we can live together in the community.
Why on earth is it necessary for us to have the tie with the community? Through making themovie, I felt that it could enrich our own life. We deaf people, as a member of the community,
want to experience many things, such as joy of constructing a town, fun having a good time in
the festival, and happiness to support the elderly and take care of the children together with theothers in the town.
Some deaf person survived though his house was swept
away by the tsunami. As soon as the earthquake occurred,
he dashed to help the elderly in a wheelchair living nearhim. He was informed of a tsunami coming and theyescaped together.
“Not to let any barrier be produced.”“To free existing
barriers.” Both of these challenges can be solved bybeing a little conscious that not only persons with healthy
bodies but also persons with disabilities live in the samecommunity.
And also, we deaf people should think about what we cando as a member of the community to make our society
better. To make our own life more wonderful, as well.
22

Disaster Prevention Efforts

Efforts of the Central
Headquarters for Disaster Relief
for Deaf People
ISHINO Fujisaburo

President, Japanese Federation of the Deaf
Chief, Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for
Deaf People

New System“Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief”
An earthquake might occur anywhere in Japan in the future. While many disasters such as capitalinland earthquake and Nankai Trough Giant Earthquake are a concern, the way of“first action,
safety and evacuation action support”has been a question.
After the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, three organizations, namely
Japanese Federation of the Deaf(JFD), National Research Association for Sign Language
Interpretation(NRASLI), and Japanese Association of Sign Language Interpreters(JASLI), with thehelp of other 15 organizations, organized Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for Deaf People
in the Great East Japan Earthquake and has continued the relief activities for the deaf and sign
language interpreters in the stricken areas for almost two years.
In December, 2012, thereafter, we reorganized it into Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for
Deaf People and decided its two basic activities as follows: continuous support to the areas affectedby the Great East Japan Earthquake, and support for future disasters. Then we decided its aimsof the activities as promotion of disaster prevention measures in the local areas and networking in
the regions. The Central Headquarters consists of three organizations, that is, JFD, NRASLI andJASLI.
New Central Headquarters has discussed how to give a mental support, and support on
employment, education, the whole life as well. And it was decided to hold a‘national disasterprevention meeting,’in which they would talk about the two main activities with regional
headquarters, and then we gave a specific discussion about the meeting. Other main contents ofthe meeting were that each board member should make use of ML to get over the problems fromthe national disaster prevention meeting, etc., that it was necessary to set up two divisions so as togive a more concrete support, and that study meetings about disaster prevention should be held in
the regions and lecturers should be sent for the meetings and then we confirmed new businesses
including the demand to the government based on the discussion of‘National Disaster Prevention
Meeting’in the next March.

23

First‘National Disaster Prevention Meeting’held
For two days, on March 16 and 17, 2013, First National Disaster Prevention Meeting was held in
Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. 86 people from 40 Regional Headquarters participated in the meetingand had an enthusiastic discussion, inviting Mr. KIMISHIMA Junji, Chair of the Head of Support
Promotion Office, Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as a guest.
At the opening ceremony of the assembly on 16th, the participants observed a moment ofsilence for the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. Then, Mr. Ishino, Chief of the Central
Headquarters, said,“Two years have passed since the Great East Japan Earthquake, but the
support has not yet ended. We should continue to make efforts to support the affected areas andto establish measures for‘zero’disaster deaths from now on. I hope that this meeting will bemeaningful so that the general public as well as the deaf, sign language interpreters and signlearners can have higher disaster prevention awareness.”And Mr. Kimishima, Chair of the Headof Support Promotion Office, also said,“In the Great East Japan Earthquake,‘public assistance’
could not be expected because city halls and town halls were damaged severely while they
were supposed to give help to the people affected. We too would like to learn how to create acommunity so as to make most use of the power of the neighbors --‘mutual assistance,’for the
better government.” The meeting followed the speeches.
Then, Mr. Hisamatsu, Secretary General of the Central Headquarters, explained the new system,
Mr. Ishikawa, Vice Chief, reported the activities of Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for
Deaf People in the Great East Japan Earthquake, the current situation of the three affectedareas(Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima) were reported, the documentary film“Messages of Life –Twice as Many Persons with Disabilities Passed Away on March Eleventh”made by JDF (Japan
Disability Forum) was shown, and Prof. TANAKA Atsushi of the University of Tokyo Graduate
School gave a lecture“About local disaster prevention activities.”
On the evening of 16th, we were divided into two sectional meetings, whose subjects were“Great
East Japan Earthquake Support”and“Local Disaster Supports.”
Aggressive discussion was made based on the information from the assembly and regional efforts
with“the way of reconstruction assistance”and“Network development for disaster prevention”
as their main topics.
At the assembly on the afternoon of 17th, Mr. Ogura, Vice Chief, summarized,“We must learn
from the examples of the Great East Japan Earthquake and mustn't waste the lessons. Theremay be some regional characteristics in efforts of disaster prevention and disaster relief, but there
should not be any gaps. We should not only learn but also take action.”All the participants held a
new feeling in mind and the meeting was closed.

24Parts of the proceeds of book sales donated to Central Headquarters
for Disaster Relief
In March, 2013, JFD issued“Protect your LIFE! – for the firmand secure disaster prevention system for the Deaf”basedon“Deaf Disaster First Action Safety Confirmation Manual”
and“Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster Relief Activities
for Deaf People”by Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief
for Deaf People in the Great East Japan Earthquake. This
book was published with the hope that it would be used as a
textbook to establish the disaster prevention system in each region and to protect their life fromthe disaster for“zero”disaster deaths. At the same time, a booklet,“Disaster Prevention in Sign
Language”was published. Part of the proceeds of these two books sales will be donated to Central
Headquarters for Disaster Relief.
“Protect our LIFE!”has a page we should not forget, which was a note entitled“Tsunami Hit
Twice”written by Mr. HIRAYAMA Masakatsu, a member of Iwate Association of the Deaf. He
died of cerebral infarction on May 23, after its publication. We have a renewed determination tocarry on his wish and to make every effort for those who are needed evacuation support.

March Eleventh Statement – Three Years since Great East Japan
Earthquake
Three years passing since Great East Japan Earthquake, Central Headquarters for Disaster
Relief issued a following statement. It says to the whole country that to those who still have an
evacuation life three years after Great East Japan Earthquake, and to those in the affected areas,
we will never forget Great East Japan Earthquake and will learn from the disaster to make an
immediate effort for disaster relief for the deaf in case.

25

March Eleventh Statement

Three years since Great East Japan Earthquake
and Tsunami
The Great East Japan Earthquake occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday 11 March 2011, with theepicenter approximately 70 kilometers east of Sendai City, 130 kilometers east-southeast of the
Oshika Peninsula, Miyagi Prefecture.
This earthquake was the largest complex disaster in Japan after the war, which included anearthquake, a tsunami, liquefaction and land subsidence, a nuclear accident causing meltdown anda large amount of radioactive leakage by the hydrogen explosion at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear
Power Station of Tokyo Electric Power Company.
A Japanese National Police Agency report confirmed 18,520 deaths and missing (February 2014),
and it has become clear that the death rate of people with disabilities reached twice that of theentire population. Among them, many deaf people died without knowing that the tsunami wascoming because they couldn't hear disaster prevention radio.
In some parts of the affected areas, restoration is progressing to some extent; on the other hand, alarge number of people are still obliged to live in temporary housing. In addition, difficult-to-returnzones and restricted residence areas were designated in Fukushima Prefecture, as many as 270,000
people are obliged to live away from their home in either temporary housing or due to permanent
relocation.
Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for Deaf People visited the three prefectures, which are
the affected areas (Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima), and examined the current status of the deaf.
Most of them didn't hear disaster prevention radio and got little information to protect thelife and safety. They felt inconvenient and uneasy in communication in evacuation life as
well. Personal Information Protection Law was a wall for safety confirmation. Although sign
language interpreters and deaf counselors were essential for complex procedures for livelihood
reconstruction and life consultation for job hunting and so on, there were few sign language
interpreters and deaf counselors, so that the deaf couldn't get enough support. The survey brought
the insufficient situation of the deaf into sharp relief.
A lot of deaf people affected and sign language interpreters proved to be wounded in mind andstill suffering from the fear, anxiety and sense of helplessness after the earthquake. In addition,
we learned the necessity of preparedness at ordinary times through the study to enhance disasterprevention power of the deaf in the communities in local disaster prevention workshops andlectures by Japan Meteorological Agency.
What we should do to prepare for future disasters is that deaf associations have strong solidarity
to build a disaster prevention system centering deaf information service centers and have stronger
ties with the local government.

26

In order to protect our own life, we have to get acquainted with our neighbors and have daily
exchanges with them. It can also help them understand sign language and our disabilities.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Basic Law for Persons with
Disabilities defines that“language”includes signed languages, and Sign Language Regulations
have been made and suggestions to call for enactment of sign language law has been adopted inlocal assemblies. What is required in our society now is that information and accessibility can be
improved so that it is natural that sign language should be used as a language. If most people learn
sign language as a method of communication of the deaf, the barriers in our mind can be removed.
We believe, as a result, it can lessen the disaster damage.
Moreover, many deaf people have to have an inconvenient life because there are few sign language
interpreters and summary writers and then they can hardly get daily information. In order toovercome the situation, it is required that municipalities should build a system of training, placing,and dispatching sign language interpreters and summary writers as soon as possible.
Arranging social environment in this way enables the hearing and the deaf in their region to makea close relationship and to evacuate helping each other if anything happens.
It must not be repeated that the deaf died because they didn't hear the direction“Run.”
Today, it is three years from the Great East Japan Earthquake. Central Headquarters for Disaster
Relief for Deaf People now declare that we have determined to keep on making efforts to protect
the lives and security of the deaf, sign language interpreters, sign language club members, andother parties concerned, to ask the related agencies for further support to all of these parties, andto also listen to the victims sincerely and advance support activities for livelihood reconstruction
and reconstruction of the affected areas more than ever.
March 11, 2014
ISHINO Fujisaburo
Chief, Central Headquarters for Disaster Relief for Deaf People
Which Consists ofJapanese Federation of the Deaf
National Research Association for Sign Language Interpretation
Japanese Association of Sign Language Interpreters

27Challenge
Sign Language
Crossword

1

2
6

3

7
B

8
F

正解者から抽選で3名に図書カードをプレゼント

9

11

10

12

A

13
15

5

G

How to do the puzzle“＊”indicates it shows a clue sign word. Others
can be solved as common crossword puzzles.
When you complete it, put letters in boxes
from A to F in alphabetical order then you canfind the answer word. Write the answer on a
postcard and send it to us.

4

E

16
C

作：全通研富山支部

ヨコの
カギ

1

2

3

4

8

６．＊ 右 手 人 差 指 を 上 に
向 け て 伸 ば し、 顔 の脇で大きく回す。

14．＊ 立てた左手人差指
9マ に右手掌のつけ根をズ
ド
あてて伸ばした４指
11
10
ハ
ア シ
を振る。
A

９．原始時代の土でできた器物。
11．＊ 下に向けた左手２指を右手人差指で指
差す。

川上 陽子

13．
左手親指と右手小フ ＊キノG ト ウ
指 を 立6て、 左 右 か ら
7
ク 近づけてつける。
ホ ン ルB イ

１．春の訪れを告げる食べられる植物。

８．＊①丸めた
両手の掌を
上に向けて
前後に並べ
て振り動か
し、
 ②右手親指と４指を平行に伸ばし、
前へ出す。

D

14

5

ユ
ダ

シ ヨ ウ ボF ウ シ ヤ

13ケE ツ コ ン

キ
12
14

アD

ハ タ

16
15
15．療 養温泉。プールも併せ持つ「○○ス リゾート」は近年人気。
パ
ヨ コ ハC マ

16．ペ リーの黒船が来航したのはこの市
です。

作品
募集

あなたも作ってみませんか？

チャレンジ手話クロス作品を募集します。ただし、他に発表していないものに限ります。採用された作品
はこのコーナーで紹介しますが、一部修正を加える場
合があります。制作条件などの詳細は全国手話通訳問
題研究会までご連絡ください。

28

チャレンジ手話クロス

タテ の

カギ

７．○○○的とは故意に行うこと。
10．＊ つまんだ両手２指の 指 先 を つ け、 右 手
２ 指 の 開 閉 で「 葉 」の形を描く。

１．＊①右手親指と４指で顎を撫で下ろしながら５指を閉じ、
 ②左手拳の周囲を上に向けた右手掌で左周りに回す。

２．ずうずうしく横柄なさま。
12

312．悩んだ時に抱えるところ。
13．＊ 両手の開いた指を下 に 向 け、 少 し 上 げ
ると同時に握る。

5

4

11．〇〇〇は上手、転ぶはお下手。

D

３．
6＊指のつけ根で両手を交7
A差させて２指を小刻みに
8
9
10
上下する。
E

12

11

14．＊ 右手人差指の指先で 頬 を 撫 で 下 ろ し、小指を立てて上げる。

13
B

14
４．一年が366日ある年のこと。
15

16

17

５．漢字では「猶太」と表す旧王国。
18
FC

第126号の答えと当選者 答えは「シチヨウリツ（視聴率）
」でした。
1

2

3

ド ヤ

7

4

5



ラ

抽選で次の３名（敬称略） 西本

テ イ キ コ ウD ド ク

6

リE

8

シA マ
9

ア
12

11

10

ミ シ ン

ト バ シ

14

13

ヨ チB

ホ ウ レ ン ソ ウ

15

シ ヨ ウ ブ
ツF

16

17

キ キ

18

マ ン シ ヨC ン

応 募 総 数90通 の 中 か ら 菊池ひろみ（千葉県）

恵子（福岡県）の方が当選されました。 江良まさ代（長崎県）


手話の問題とイラストは、㈶全日本ろうあ連盟刊『わたしたちの手話 学習辞典』より出題・転載しました。

応募の方法
本誌綴じ込みのハガキ、または官製ハガキに答えを書いて送ってください。なお、余白に、本誌や手話に関することなどをひとこと書き添えてください。

［締め切り］ 2014年５月10日消印まで。
［送 り 先］ 〒602-0901

京都市上京区室町通今出川下ル 繊維会館内

一般社団法人

全国手話通訳問題研究会

正解者の中から抽選で3名の方に図書カードをお送りします。

29

Reader's Column(extracts from the Journal No. 128)

I read the feature article“Present situation of the areas stricken by the Great East Japan
Earthquake and disaster prevention”and realized awareness of disaster prevention is dwindlingafter 3 years even among us who are living adjacent to the areas. I sometimes watch scenesof recovery in the disaster areas on TV. I think the reality of people living in temporary
housing is still uncertain. I am not able to visit the stricken areas because the fear of impending
tsunami images haunts me even now. However, I am always thinking what I can do for them.
(TAKAHASHI K., Yamagata Pref.)In the article“What I want to appeal on the movie‘Messages of Life’”by the Director Hayase,I find resonance with his words;“You do what you can do and get some help for what you can't
do. This is how you live helping each other in your community, not to have help from others whensomething happens.” I feel like I can become positive not only in disaster prevention but in every
aspect of my daily life. I am sending a card for the first time. I look forward to“Sign; What an
Intriguing Language,”(Anonymous, Chiba Pref.)I look forward to receiving the Journal every time. One week after I last wrote a card, due todeep snow up to head height I couldn't make it to the National Winter Workshop. I was stuck in
the house and took time to read the Journal thoroughly. I realized it again that I wanted to do all
I could do and advance step by step. (OHNO Y., Yamanashi Pref.)This crossword puzzle was difficult. I've finally completed it with the help of my son. I myself
went through the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in 1995. People in Tohoku District may
be having a really tougher time than we imagine. I wonder what I can do for them. Seniorinterpreters told me there had been many interpreters gathered in Hanshin-Awaji area from allover Japan to work hard in 1995. It would be important for us not to forget terrible disasters.
(Hanamaru, Hyogo Pref.)30

National Research Association for
Sign Language Interpretation
Sen i-Kaikan, Muromachi-Imadegawa-Sagaru,
Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto, 602-0901 JAPANURL: http://www.zentsuken.net/
Email: NRASLI@zentsuken.net