Human Rights × Sports Workshop Selected as Official Program for the Asian Games: Diversity-Themed Classes Held at Nagoya Elementary School — Selected as an Aichi-Nagoya 2026 "Official Cultural Program Project"

A series of visiting classes themed on sports and diversity, conducted by the NPO Pride House Tokyo—which aims to raise awareness and realize an inclusive society—has been selected as an "Aichi-Nagoya 2026 20th Asian Games Official Cultural Program Project." The first session was held on February 5, 2026, at Nagoya City Sengoku Elementary School. In anticipation of the Asian Games starting in September, the organization will continue to implement programs that promote diversity in the sports sector, targeting educational institutions and sports organizations within Aichi Prefecture.

4-Yearly Asian Games Held Under the Slogan "Imagine One Asia": Classes Held at Elementary Schools as Part of the Official Cultural Program

In recent years, sports that everyone can enjoy, such as the Deaflympics, universal sports, and new sports, have been gaining momentum. This year, as the Asian Games—the largest sports festival in Asia held every four years—takes place, promoting diversity in the sports field has become essential from the perspectives of well-being and a symbiotic society, serving as a long-term, positive legacy generated by the event.

The Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Games, held under the slogan "Imagine One Asia," features a cultural program that introduces and promotes the history, arts, culture, nature, and industries of Japan and Aichi. Pride House Tokyo was selected for the "Official Cultural Program," where the organizing committee certifies initiatives by various organizations. On February 5, 2026, they conducted visiting classes for 3rd/4th graders and 5th/6th graders at Nagoya City Chikusa Elementary School. This initiative aimed to provide an experience of "a sports environment where everyone can participate safely and securely," serving as an opportunity for children to think about how to accept "differences" through sports and the importance of not making assumptions about what is "normal." The event featured guest appearances by former Japan national rugby player Airi Murakami, who is in charge of sports at Pride House Tokyo, and former professional women's soccer player Shiho Shimoyamada.

At the beginning of the event, a true-or-false quiz format was used to pose questions about gender and roles, allowing children to participate while thinking for themselves. In addition to questions such as "Rugby is a man's sport," "Soccer is a man's sport," "Preparing meals at home is a girl's job," "Carpentry is a profession for men," "Girls are strong-willed," and "Boys like blue," opinions were shared on themes such as "You can tell someone's gender just by looking at them" and "There are only two genders." The goal was not to determine right or wrong, but to help children understand that feelings and ways of thinking differ from person to person.

Following this, in a session using the "Gender Unicorn" diagram, special guest Shiho Shimoyamada spoke about gender diversity based on her own experiences. She shared that she was assigned female at birth, that she does not want to categorize her own gender identity, and that her self-expression, such as her clothing, often includes masculine elements. She spoke about her complex feelings regarding terms like "feminine" or "masculine." Additionally, Pride House staff members shared various examples, such as one staff member who prefers masculine clothing and hairstyles but feels very feminine on the inside, and explained that gender identity, expression, and sex assigned at birth can all differ.

When the story of a staff member whose appearance and gender identity are male but who was assigned female at birth was shared, the children expressed surprise, and they were seen nodding at Murakami's words: "Everyone is different, aren't they?" The class conveyed the message that there is diversity that cannot be seen through appearance or preconceptions, and that "differences are not something to be fixed" and "not making assumptions leads to creating a safe environment."

For the subsequent sports activity, the children and instructors set rules together, such as "Don't make fun of people based on skill," "Don't leave anyone behind," and "Don't laugh at others." Incorporating a human rights perspective, the activity was conducted while sharing important promises to "value differences," "move with peace of mind," and "enjoy it together." The children engaged in tag rugby and slide soccer—sports that anyone can enjoy—alongside Shiho Shimoyamada and Murakami.

Moving forward, we will continue our activities with the goal of promoting diversity in the sports field and realizing an inclusive society in conjunction with the Asian Games.