Your own#
#Taking on the world as the Japanese national deaf football team,
Balancing university life with a fulfilling life
Balancing university life with a fulfilling life


#Student life at Asia University
Ryoto Takizawa
Faculty of Faculty of Law Department of Law, 2nd year, enrolled in 2022
Photographed in September 2023
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First time being selected for the Japanese national team
Feeling the weight of carrying the Japanese flag
Feeling the weight of carrying the Japanese flag
One of the features of deaf soccer is that players cannot communicate by voice like they can in soccer for able-bodied players, so communication is achieved through sign language, gestures and eye contact.
Before the Japanese national team names were announced, I had been training camp with the "final candidates for the national team," so I thought I would be selected barring any injuries, but I was still happy and relieved when the names were officially announced.
And from this World Cup, the national team uniform will be the same as the full national team uniform, made by the JFA. We will also be using the JFA Makuhari Yume Field for the training camp before the tournament. Until now, the same Japanese national team had different uniforms, but when we found out that we would be wearing the same uniform, most of the players, including myself, were happy, but the national team captain was crying as he remembered the hardships he had faced up until now. Seeing that made me want to fight while carrying the weight of the Japanese flag and the hopes of the national team members up until now.
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His specialty is dribbling.
Your technology is on the world stage
I'm looking forward to seeing how far it will go
Your technology is on the world stage
I'm looking forward to seeing how far it will go

I started playing soccer when I was in kindergarten at the age of 5, and joined a club team when I was in the third grade of elementary school. In addition to the club team, I also attended soccer school, where I improved my dribbling skills.
Soccer Club I belong to Asia University is blessed with good facilities and a high level of play, so I learn a lot every day. We all have the same desire to improve our soccer skills, and even though we're usually good friends, there are many of us who can speak up to each other on the pitch.
When I entered university, I was not good at off-the-ball defense, but I improved with the guidance of Coach Kojima of the Aichi University Soccer Club. The members of the Japanese national deaf soccer team also praised my improved defensive ability, saying, "You've gotten better."
I'll mainly play as a side half or forward, and will attack using my dribbling skills. I don't mind getting dirty, but I want to show my hunger for the goal. I'm looking forward to seeing how well the dribbling skills I've honed so far will work against opponents from around the world.
Soccer Club I belong to Asia University is blessed with good facilities and a high level of play, so I learn a lot every day. We all have the same desire to improve our soccer skills, and even though we're usually good friends, there are many of us who can speak up to each other on the pitch.
When I entered university, I was not good at off-the-ball defense, but I improved with the guidance of Coach Kojima of the Aichi University Soccer Club. The members of the Japanese national deaf soccer team also praised my improved defensive ability, saying, "You've gotten better."
I'll mainly play as a side half or forward, and will attack using my dribbling skills. I don't mind getting dirty, but I want to show my hunger for the goal. I'm looking forward to seeing how well the dribbling skills I've honed so far will work against opponents from around the world.
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She made many friends through sign language classes and other activities.
A fulfilling university life outside of soccer
A fulfilling university life outside of soccer
Actually, I started learning sign language seriously after entering university. Both of my parents are hearing impaired, and like me, my father can converse, but my mother cannot. Because of this, in the past my father would often translate in sign language what my father and I had talked about to my mother. However, after I started learning by taking Professor Ichiro Hashimoto's "Introduction to Sign Language" course at Asia University, I am now able to converse with my mother in sign language. Since entering my second year, I have been teaching the "Introduction to Sign Language" class.
I have made many friends outside Soccer Club, including in the "Introduction to Sign Language" class and as a peer supporter who helps students with disabilities, and my university life is very fulfilling.
I have made many friends outside Soccer Club, including in the "Introduction to Sign Language" class and as a peer supporter who helps students with disabilities, and my university life is very fulfilling.
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Your own career plan.
Two years later, after the Deaflympics,
In the future, he is considering playing for an overseas club
Two years later, after the Deaflympics,
In the future, he is considering playing for an overseas club

The Deaflympics, known as the Olympics for the deaf, are held every four years. The next tournament is scheduled to be held in Japan in 2025. One of his big goals is to be selected as a representative for the Japan Deaflympics. He also wants to try his hand at playing soccer overseas, such as in Germany or Australia, in the future, just like Kodai Hayashi, an alumnus of Asia University's Soccer Club who also has a hearing impairment but is still active in the German league. Another goal is to get a job at a company under an athlete contract.
Aiming for Asia University
To high school students and exam candidates
Message to prospective students

Both Soccer Club and student life are fulfilling, and I am truly glad that I chose to attend Asia University.
There are many international International Student at Aichi University, so you have many opportunities to make friends with International Student while you are in Japan. I hope you will participate in international exchanges at the university. Another attractive feature is that it is a one-campus campus, so it is easy to make friends.
There are many international International Student at Aichi University, so you have many opportunities to make friends with International Student while you are in Japan. I hope you will participate in international exchanges at the university. Another attractive feature is that it is a one-campus campus, so it is easy to make friends.