Music and sound in the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games: an opportunity for social change

The Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games represented an opportunity for the social inclusion of disabled individuals through the media presence of its protagonists. Among its main events, the opening ceremony stood out with its special communicative significance in music and sound. This article aims to analyse the role of music and sound in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2021 Paralympic Games, exploring how they intended to influence the viewer's perception regarding adapted sports, the external image of Japan, and to compare its use with that of previous ceremonies. To achieve this, a sound content analysis template has been applied. The results indicate a distinctive orientation of Japan towards Western, especially technological, musical styles, and a progression towards the inclusion of disabled artists and athletes.