The Start Line Tokyo helps people with prosthetic limbs to run. It also serves as a community where people can exchange information about prosthetic limbs and seek consultations about the devices.

The Start Line Tokyo is a track club consisting mainly of prosthetic limb users. For approx. 30 years, this club has been letting prosthetic users learn the joy of running by holding training sessions. People from all over Japan with different levels of amputation, such as above-knee amputees and below-knee ones, as well as those with functional disorders, gather every month. They enjoy practicing walking and running, setting their own goals.

Fumio Usui (age 64), the representative of the club, has been involved in the manufacturing and repair of 5,000 prosthetic limbs as a prosthetist from the Gishi Sogu Support Center (prosthesis support center) of Tetsudo Kosaikai, a public interest incorporated foundation. He discovered prosthetic limbs for sports in Hawaii, which he visited for his honeymoon. He was attracted to them and became committed to the development of the devices. Now he is known as the leading figure in prosthetic limbs for sports. He established the track club in 1991, believing that, "Those who have lost their legs should know the joy of feeling the wind." Since then, he has continued to hold monthly training sessions, working close with participants. The club has also produced athletes who participated in international games such as the Paralympics.

In the training session, participants first stretch or exercise while wearing prosthetic limbs for daily use, before changing into artificial legs for sports to enjoy running. Unlike regular prosthetic limbs, whose users can receive subsidies from public funds, artificial legs for sports are expensive (hundreds of thousands of yen). They are therefore difficult for individuals to purchase. While some athletes create prosthetic limbs for sports by themselves, the club lends ones prepared by Tetsudo Kosaikai to other participants. As a prosthetist, Mr. Usui said, "The fact that they can run gives them confidence, allowing not only themselves but also their families to have cheerful, positive feelings."

The Start Line Tokyo is run by Mr. Usui, representative, and Norikatsu Mizutani, leader of athletes' union. The training session is held monthly at Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Center for the Disabled. Prosthetists, physical therapists, and sports trainers are also present in the training session as volunteers. They support participants, teaching them how to walk or run appropriately and adjusting prosthetic limbs for them. Because the club uses a facility that can be used for free, it does not charge a membership or participation fee. Prosthetic limb users can become members of the Start Line Tokyo by registering through the club's social media. Training sessions attract a wide age range, including participants from Hokkaido and Kyushu, from those who want to run for health to athletes. They practice running to achieve their goals. Currently, about 220 people have registered via social media. This group also serves as an online community for sharing information about training sessions and exchanging information or consulting about artificial legs. In recent years, the club also holds weekly training sessions at Yoyogi Park Athletic Field for people who want to run more.

Recently, an increasing number of hospitals and teams have begun to hold similar training sessions in various parts of Japan and are deepening exchanges. In 2015, a fashion show for changing the image of prosthetic limbs as something to hide was held as part of a summer festival in Ishikawa. Participants in the Start Line Tokyo played the leading role in the fashion show, showing their individually designed prosthetic limbs. Thus, they are carrying out a wider range of activities than before.

The activities, which began to allow people who lost their legs to feel the joy of running, are encouraging.

Activities for allowing people who lost their legs to feel the joy of running have continued for 30 years, which is wonderful. How many people were encouraged by this club? Mr. Usui, representative, wants to let such people know the joy of feeling the wind. This reflects his great affection. This is believed to be why the club attracts many runners from all over Japan. This club has a prominent presence these days, when sports for disabled people are attracting attention and there is a growing interest in building a barrier-free society.