Eight coaches from seven countries at the certificate ceremony marking the completion of the JUDOs International Judo Coaching Seminar. (©NPO JUDOs by Kosei Inoue)
As chairman of the certified NPO JUDOs, I host an International Coaching Seminar each year for judo instructors from around the world. The 2025 seminar ran from October 7 to November 3. Eight judoka representing seven countries joined us.
The program goes well beyond technical training. Participants engage in hands-on practice sessions and lead training at local schools and community dojo clubs. They also take part in programs that introduce them to Japanese history and culture. Among these, we place particular importance on the peace study session held in Hiroshima City.
Each year, we include this program to share something vital. From Japan ー the only country to have suffered atomic bombings in war ー we share the devastating reality of nuclear weapons and the importance of peace. This year was no exception, and the participants seemed to carry away many lasting impressions. Below are some of the reflections they shared.
From the Participants
"I'd learned about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima from TV programs and books. But actually being there ー visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park museum and atomic bomb dome ー was completely different. Seeing it with my own eyes brought up emotions I still can't quite put into words."
"What stayed with me most at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was how the history is presented as a memory for peace. It isn't about revenge or hatred. What I felt instead was a strong determination to build peace out of suffering."
One of the core principles behind JUDOs' work is the pursuit of mutual understanding and lasting peace through judo. Through their time in Hiroshima, I feel the participants gained a deeper appreciation of what this means.
A First for Japan: The Deaflympics
From November 15 to 26, the Deaflympics were held in Tokyo. This international multi-sport event is held for athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Tokyo Deaflympics belatedly commemorated the competition’s 100th anniversary (first held in France in 1924). And it was also the first time the Deaflympics were held in Japan.
Athletes from 81 countries and regions came together. Day after day, their outstanding performances brought energy and excitement to the venues.
I visited the judo arena myself and was impressed by the exceptionally high level of the athletes. The matches were captivating, one after another. Throughout the venue, athletes and officials communicated naturally in sign language. Students from nearby schools had come to support the event, cheering the competitors on with sign-language applause.
Seeing sign language ー and communication rooted in it ー used so naturally left a strong impression on me. I felt that the Games were being run with an athlete-centered approach. It was an approach grounded in respect for the needs of the athletes themselves.
The Deaflympics offered more than an opportunity to experience the appeal of judo or sport itself. They also showed, I believe, what sport can mean for society and what it is capable of giving back.
Looking Ahead to Tokyo Grand Slam 2025
Following the conclusion of the Deaflympics, the international judo tournament Tokyo Grand Slam will be held on December 6 and 7. Among the Japanese athletes scheduled to compete are Paris Olympic team members Hifumi Abe, Takanori Nagase, Sanshiro Murao, Ryuju Nagayama, Uta Abe, and Akira Sone.
With these athletes on the mat, we can expect a series of intense and exciting matches. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what kind of bouts unfold.
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- Kosei Inoue: Advancing Judo and Sports in Innovative Ways
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井上康生 理事長, 認定NPO法人 JUDOs. Learn more about the sport of judo and Kosei Inoue, former Olympic gold medalist and former national men's team judo coach who now serves in key positions for All Japan Judo Federation, on the website of JUDOs, a certified Japanese NPO. And find further columns by and about Kosei Inoue in English on JAPAN Forward and SportsLook.
