#Japan #Tokyo #Deaf Community #C4C #DEFCON

DEFCON 2026: Shaping the Future of the Deaf Community through IT

On September 26, 2026, at the Akasaka Intercity Conference in Tokyo, the event "DEFCON - Deaf×IT: Updating Society's 'Norms'" will take place. Organized by C4C, a company focused on enhancing the social value of Deaf individuals, this conference aims to address the intersection of Deaf culture and technology.

The conference will feature influential speakers, including Rie Saito, a member of the House of Representatives; Susumu Iwata, CEO of Ilgulum Corp.; and the popular influencer with hearing difficulties, Nanchou Usagi. Together, they will explore the realistic challenges of employing individuals with disabilities and the transformative potential of technology in fostering inclusiveness.

The Need for Change in Employment for the Deaf

In Japan, approximately 14.3 million people live with hearing impairments, and global predictions indicate that by 2050, one in four individuals will experience some form of hearing loss (WHO). While the legal employment rate for disabled individuals is set to rise to 2.5% in 2024, only 46% of companies currently meet this standard. The goal of achieving quotas has overshadowed the fundamental issues that exist post-hire, such as communication barriers and job matching, leading to mismatched expectations between employers and employees.

Conversely, advancements in technology have the potential to radically change this landscape. Innovations in AI for real-time transcription, voice recognition, and sign language translation make it increasingly feasible for individuals with hearing impairments to communicate effectively. This reflects a significant shift in how organizations can adapt their workplaces to be more inclusive.

However, technology alone isn’t enough. C4C has been actively supporting the careers of Deaf engineers through its Deaf Engineering initiative. This commitment underscores the importance of understanding the lived experiences of Deaf individuals and fostering dialogue across various sectors. It is from this belief that DEFCON was conceived.

Bringing Together Different Perspectives

One of the defining features of DEFCON is the collaborative nature of its panel discussions, uniting lawmakers, corporate leaders, and community members. Each participant will share their insights and experiences, fostering an honest dialogue on the following key topics:

• - Policy development for enhancing accessibility in the workplace.
• - Utilizing technology to support communication and productivity among Deaf employees.
• - Strategies for aligning expectations between employers and Deaf individuals during the hiring process.

Meet the Speakers:

• - Rie Saito, Member of the House of Representatives: Born in Aomori Prefecture in 1984, she lost her hearing due to illness at the age of one. Saito has a significant political background, advocating for information accessibility in society. Since her election, she has worked tirelessly to bring about tangible changes in legislative practices, pushing for the use of electronic devices in parliament to ensure equal access for individuals with hearing impairments.

• - Susumu Iwata, CEO of Ilgulum Corp.: A visionary entrepreneur who founded his first company during college, Iwata transformed his business into a publicly listed entity by 2014. With a mission to support marketing innovations for businesses through the application of data and technology, he strives to create an environment where all stakeholders can thrive.

• - Nanchou Usagi, Influencer and Co-Organizer: A native of Matsue, Shimane, Nanchou was born with profound hearing loss. After embarking on a global journey at just 24, they've utilized social media to convey their experiences and advocate for better information accessibility. With over 800,000 followers, they actively collaborate with enterprises and local governments to foster a society where everyone can shine.

Event Details

• - Event Name: DEFCON - Deaf×IT: Updating Society's 'Norms'
• - Date & Time: September 26, 2026 (Saturday) from 14:00 to 17:00
• - Location: Akasaka Intercity Conference, 4F, 1-8-1 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo
• - Access: Directly connected to Tameike-Sanno Station and Kokkai-gijidomae Station via Tokyo Metro.
• - Tickets: General admission is ¥2,000; tickets for Disabled attendees (ID verification required) are ¥1,500; Networking session tickets are ¥3,000.

About C4C

Founded in 2010, C4C is an IT company grounded in the philosophy of empowering freedom of choice in life for all individuals. Through its Deaf Engineering Division, C4C is dedicated to promoting the hiring and training of Deaf engineers, thereby augmenting the societal value of the Deaf community.

For more information about this great conference, please visit DEFCON.