Hiroshi Tamon: A Champion for Disability Rights

Tamon speaks of his aspirations to Mayor Fukuda in sign language at City Hall

Hiroshi Tamon, a 57-year-old lawyer from Miyamae Ward, Kawasaki City, has been elected as a member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Tamon, who is congenitally deaf, will serve a four-year term starting from January next year. He is the second Japanese person to be elected to this committee.

Tamon’s election is a significant milestone, as he was voted in by representatives of 191 countries and regions in June. He met with Mayor Norihiko Fukuda to discuss his aspirations and goals for his new role. Through a sign language interpreter, Tamon expressed his intention to closely monitor the situation and ensure that the human rights of people with disabilities are protected.

Tamon also highlighted the importance of responding to the needs of vulnerable individuals during disasters. He emphasized the need for individual evacuation plans to prevent disabled people and the elderly from being left behind. Additionally, he called for improvements in response, including the provision of written instructions and the dispatch of sign language interpreters at evacuation centers.

Mayor Fukuda expressed his pride in Tamon’s selection as a committee member, acknowledging the significance of this achievement for the city. Tamon’s dedication to protecting the rights of people with disabilities is a testament to his commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.