His Majesty the Emperor received a courtesy visit from an executive of the IPC = International Paralympic Committee at the Imperial Palace and Palace before the Tokyo Paralympic Games.
Ten executives, including IPC Chairman Parsons, arrived at the "South Carriage" of the Imperial Palace and Palace after 2:00 pm on the 24th.
His Majesty the Emperor greeted each and every one of them during the "Spring and Autumn" of the palace and spoke in English.
In this, His Majesty the Emperor touched on the spread of the new coronavirus, saying, "Athletes with weak respiratory function and athletes with underlying diseases may have a higher risk of becoming more severe, which is different from the Olympics. I wonder if that is the case. "
On top of that, "I think that the Paralympics, in which athletes with disabilities from all over the world push their limits with various ingenuity, will be an opportunity to remind themselves of the irreplaceableness and preciousness of each individual's individuality." Was spoken.
In response, IPC Chairman Parsons said, "The Paralympics have the power to transform society, not just the pleasure of watching games," and His Majesty the Emperor nodded and listened.
His Majesty the Emperor will be declared the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Paralympics at the National Stadium on the night of the 24th as the Honorary Governor of the Games.
The relationship between the imperial family and sports for the disabled
The imperial family has been greatly involved in the promotion of sports for the disabled in Japan since the Tokyo Paralympics in 1964.
At this tournament, the emeritus, who was the crown prince, served as the honorary president, and he and the empress emeritus visited the venue every day to watch the competition.
At that time, the Emperor said, "I wish such a tournament could be held every year in Japan." became.
His Majesty the Emperor served as the Honorary President of the Games at the 1998 Nagano Paralympics, attended the opening ceremony with the Empress, and declared the opening.
At this tournament, there was a scene in which the Empress Emeritus, who was watching the competition with the Emperor Emeritus, participated in the event so that the wave by the spectators who praised the good fight of the players would not be interrupted.
Also, in 2018, His Majesty the Emperor is jogging together in the Akasaka site as a companion to Misato Michishita, who won a silver medal in a class with a disability in the eyes of the women's marathon at the Rio de Janeiro Paralympics.
His Majesty the Emperor also touched on the Tokyo Paralympics at the first press conference after his reign, saying, "It will be encouraging for people with disabilities, and the future potential of society for people with disabilities will be discussed throughout society. I hope that it will be a good opportunity to look further and broaden the circle of understanding and cooperation. "
However, in principle, all competitions will be held without spectators in this tournament, so all the games by the imperial family will be postponed.