Naofumi Suzuki, PhD. Executive Director of Diversity Soccer Association and Professor (Sociology of Sport) at Graduate School of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University. His research and practical interest has been in how sport and play can contribute positively to creating inclusive social structures.
Diversity Soccer Association tackles a range of issues concerning social exclusion in Japanese society through football/soccer. Their vision is to realize a truly socially inclusive society where nobody is ever left out, using soccer as an effective tool to open up the paths for inclusion of those who suffer from homelessness, social withdrawal, psychiatric disorder, disabilities, addiction, discrimination and prejudice concerning sexual orientation and gender identity as well as ethnic and racial background, and so on.
