Japanese Federation of the Deaf

The (JFD) is the national organization of the Deaf in Japan. JFD is also a member organization of the World Federation of the Deaf. The JFD supports Deaf culture in Japan and works to revise laws that prevent the Deaf in Japan from participating in various professions and activities. In addition, JFD helps to incorporate Japanese Sign Language into education systems for the Deaf and supports the sign language interpreter system. The JFD is a politically independent national organization with limited financial resources. The 47 prefectural associations are organized in ways which constrain political action, but which are able to access to government funding which benefits its members and related constituencies. The JFD has influenced the government to pass laws for the welfare of the Deaf and implementation of the Sign Language interpreter system.