Toshikazu Ogawa, representative of the Seya Ward Sign Language Circle Cedar Association, who was awarded the Medal with Green Ribbon (May 27, 2024).

　In this spring, the members of the Seya Ward Sign Language Circle Cedar Association were awarded the Medal with Green Ribbon to those who have been volunteering for a long time and have achieved outstanding achievements. On behalf of Mr. Juichi Ogawa (Toshikazu) attended the communication ceremony on Monday, May 13 and received a certificate of commendation. . On Friday, May 17, Mr. Ogawa visited the Director General Office with a certificate of commendation and heard the story.
　Since 1977, the Seya Ward Sign Language Circle Cedar Association has been working to promote understanding of people with hearing impairments by actively promoting information sharing with hearing-impaired people and creating opportunities for interaction with hearing-impaired people. At the beginning of the organization, it was not easy to obtain information on the Internet as it is now, so the activities of the Seya Ward Sign Language Circle Cedar Association were very useful. At present, it has been changed so that various information can be obtained on the Internet, but we are continuing to actively promote information sharing and exchange opportunities for living in the area, which is the purpose of the group.
　In my talk, even if you say "sign language", it is different from various things in the world, and even in Japan, the way of expressing the same word is different like dialects I heard that sign language was very deep and felt that the activities of the association were important to promote understanding.

　In addition, they showed the actual certificate of commendation, and asked about the communication ceremony and valuable stories on the day of the audience. (It seems that it was the front row among many people during the audience!)

　When I received the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare Award in FY2022, I received a certificate of commendation due to COVID-19, but I am very pleased that this year I received the Medal with Green Ribbon and the activities of organizations active in Seya Ward will be known to more people in Japan. In addition, we want to wrestle as much as possible to support and spread such activities as ward office. I wish you all the best in the future.
　Mr. Toshikazu Ogawa, representative of the Seya Ward Sign Language Circle Cedar Association, thank you for visiting us during your busy schedule.

May 27, 2024
Director General of Seya Ward Ueki Yachiyo