Yutaka Osugi (大杉 豊) is a prominent Japanese academic and researcher specializing in Deaf studies and sign language linguistics. He is a Professor at the Research and Support Center for Higher Education for Persons with Disabilities at the National University Corporation Tsukuba University of Technology. Osugi is also actively involved in international organizations, promoting the empowerment of deaf people and the preservation of sign language heritage.
Early Life and Education
Osugi's journey into the world of sign language began at the age of eighteen[4]. He later pursued his academic career, culminating in a Ph.D. from the University of Rochester in October 1997[1]. His educational background laid the foundation for his lifelong dedication to Deaf studies and linguistics.
Career
Throughout his career, Yutaka Osugi has held diverse roles in academia, the arts, and nonprofit organizations. He has worked as a member of a theater company and as an educator at a vocational school before teaching at a university in the United States[4]. He joined the National University Corporation Tsukuba University of Technology in 2008. In addition to his academic posts, he served as President of the NPO Japanese ASL Association from 2012 to 2022 and has held leadership roles in numerous committees[2].
Research and Academic Interests
Osugi's research interests are extensive and have significantly contributed to the fields of Deaf studies and sign language linguistics. His key research themes include:
- Sign Language Linguistics: He has conducted research on the Japanese Sign Language (JSL) vocabulary system and the creation of a JSL language map. His work also explores JSL morphology, grammar, and historical variations[3].
- Deaf Education and Accessibility: Osugi has been involved in research on developing educational materials for deaf individuals, including projects on "easy Japanese" and support for English language learning among deaf and hard-of-hearing students[2][3].
- Healthcare Communication: He has researched and published on the provision of medical care to deaf individuals, the role of sign language interpreters in hospitals, and communication support for patients[1][2].
- Deaf Culture and Society: His work delves into topics such as the empowerment of deaf people, the collection and preservation of materials related to the Deaflympics, and the social recognition of sign languages[2].
Global and Community Involvement
Osugi's influence extends globally through his extensive committee and leadership roles. He has served as Vice President of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD) since 2021[2]. He is also the director of the Japanese Sign Language Research Institute for the National Research Center for Sign Language Studies and a specialist committee member for the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics[2].
- Reseachmap (n.d.). Yutaka Osugi's professional profile.
- J-GLOBAL (n.d.). Yutaka Osugi.
- KAKEN (n.d.). Yusaka Osugi. Researcher Information. NII-RESD.
- CCBT (2025, February). Yutaka Osugi.
- 筑波技術大学 ウェブマガジン (2021, October 29). きこえない学生の内在する力や思いを引き出し、エンパワメントにつなげるために 〜「ろう者学（Deaf Studies、デフスタディーズ）」の視点から〜 （後編）. Retrieved from https://tsukumaga.com/teachers/202110291270.html
