Introduction to the Special Issue: A New Horizon for Social Policy for the Post-Olympic and Paralympic Games

Abstract

The Special Feature in this issue of Social Policy and Labor Studies includes two papers based on presentations at the plenary session of the JASPS 140^th Biannual Conference in 2020. This Introduction outlines the main points presented in the papers, and discusses the major issues raised by the paper presentations and subsequent discussion. With the vision of the 2020 Tokyo Games as the “Most innovative Olympics ever to stimulate positive global reform,” Diversity & Inclusion was set as the driving motive for realizing the vision. In Japan, expectations are high for the Games, especially regarding their economic impact. In addition, however, several problems have been pointed out, including the possibility that large-scale urban redevelopment could promote social exclusion. Therefore, in this Special Feature, we examine the negative aspects that could result from large-scale urban redevelopment and discuss the expected legacies, notably the promotion of social participation by the disabled and the advance of policies in support of gender/SOGI （Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity）.