NHK announces presenter and reporter with impairment ahead of Tokyo 2020

Japanese broadcaster NHK has announced the first two members of the team of presenters and reporters with an impairment ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Erina Chiba and Yuki Goto were presented on Monday, 23 October, during a press conference in Tokyo.

Hokkaido-born Chiba has cerebral palsy and has taken on a series of Para sports such as wheelchair curling and wheelchair football. Interested in history and fashion, the 22-year-old is also a Para sport instructor for beginners.

“I want to help viewers and listeners grow closer to people with an impairment through my work as a presenter and reporter. I would be delighted, if in some small way, I can provide the triggers that will change people’s awareness. I want to tell young people that there are many things they can do, whether they have an impairment or not. And I will do my best with a constant smile on my face,” Chiba said.

The 21-year-old Goto comes from Gifu, in Central Japan, and has a hearing impairment. She has competed in athletics and is also a specialist in sign language.

“I am very excited by this project for shining the spotlight on the sporting activities of persons with an impairment. I have a hearing impairment, which is invisible to the eye. I want to be a bridge between people with an impairment, including invisible ones, and those who are without [an impairment]. I am the kind of person who always hates to lose and I’ll do my best to apply that quality to making society an easy place for people with an impairment to live,” Goto said.

NHK, which is Japan’s only public broadcaster, will continue seeking applicants with an impairment for the positions of presenter and reporter.

NHK has acquired the rights for television, radio, internet, mobile and all other media platforms for the PyeongChang 2018, Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022 and Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.