There is growing momentum for getting all of Japan excited in the lead-up to 2020, not only through sports but also through culture, and growing discussion of the potential for artistic expression by people with disabilities and the need to create an environment in which everyone can enjoy art.

At the London Olympic and Paralympic Games held in 2012, the Unlimited initiative—a major effort to support the creative activities of artists with disabilities throughout the UK—was one of the main programs of the Cultural Olympiad. Unlimited, through its grant programs, created an environment that cultivated the development of artists with disabilities. Due to its success in raising awareness of the outstanding artistic activities of artists with disabilities and contributing to an expansion of opportunities for these activities, the program has carried on after the Games and continues to cultivate new artists and commission of new works.

This forum welcomes special guests Jo Verrent, who has served as senior producer of Unlimited since 2014; Chisato Minamimura, a UK-based choreographer and dancer; and numerous other speakers who are active in a range of fields such as art, design, and sports in Japan. Sharing information on changes in the cultural and artistic activities of people with disabilities and on changes brought about by Unlimited and by the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, we will search for clues for creating a more diverse society by expanding opportunities for artists with disabilities as we look forward to the Tokyo Games in 2020.