As the secretary-general of the NPO “JUDOs” chaired by Kosei Inoue, the Japan national team coach, I am working for the purpose of international exchange and the sound development of children through judo. I think that the fact that judo has been accepted in the world as a national sport of Japan has some meaning and is the result of the efforts of our predecessors who have continued to give meaning. So what. While exploring, I believe in the possibilities and move.

I feel that if I continue to play judo as a competitor and lose sports, I lose my humanity. In the first place, sports have the meaning of “play”, and the Olympics (Olympic Games) are called “festivals”, but I feel that the festival has the greatest power to burn people’s hearts and unite them.

In last year’s activities, we donated 50 judo tatami mats and 131 judo suits to the Hillary School at an altitude of 3790 meters in Everest, Himalayas, Nepal. By sea from Tokyo Port to Kolkata Port, India. We took Kathmandu by land and then by helicopter to the summit, and had the Sherpa (porter at a high place) carry it to the school. The whole city was pleased and it was just like a “festival”.

Judo is also used for education at the school. He interprets the teachings of the founder, Jigoro Kano, and learns trust in others through judo. I hope that the donation will help, and I am convinced that it has great significance in terms of education. Currently, judo is widespread in more than 200 countries and regions around the world, and France has a larger competitive population than Japan. There is “self-other mutual prosperity” in the teaching of Professor Kano. Creating a good society while helping each other as well as yourself. I want to make use of that basic spirit and realize peace through judo.

At the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in 2016, I was there with the support of the Japanese national team. There is the word “festival of peace”, but it is a fortune to be able to interact with people of various races and nationalities from the perspective of “sports”. At the Tokyo Olympics, I think we can discover some new value as the event is held in the country of origin of judo.

Looking at the domestic judo environment, I am keenly aware of the need to think after the Olympics. It is inevitable that the competitive population will decrease due to the declining birthrate, but I think the “meaning” of judo in society will be questioned. We will be involved in thinking about the value that does not end with a temporary fever to win medals. (332nd person)