As Tokyo prepares to host the 2020 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, "an increasing number of Japanese companies are throwing their support behind athletes with disabilities," according to KYODO. From hiring athletes to developing clothing for them, "a wide range of firms are getting involved." Toyota Motor Corp. "recently became a supporter of Special Olympics Japan." Toyota "not only provided financial support for the event but also solicited volunteers from among its workers to support it." Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co. "founded a team of workers to support athletes with disabilities" in '14. Meanwhile, Line Corp., the operator of the free messaging app LINE, "hired three athletes with disabilities this year." Uniqlo Co. has signed wheelchair tennis champion Shingo Kunieda to an endorsement deal and developed functional clothing for the sport, "while sportswear maker Goldwin Inc. is working to upgrade the quality of garments for wheelchair rugby players and swimmers with disabilities in the 2020 Games." Construction company Shimizu Corp. "is developing an audio assist system for the visually impaired." NEC Corp., an official sponsor of the 2020 Games, "has released a messaging app for people with hearing disabilities" (KYODO, 5/19).
