Physiotherapy in Japan was the focus of the first inspiration session on the final day of congress.
World Physiotherapy chief executive officer Jonathon Kruger asked Tomonori Ito, head of the Department of International Affairs from the Japanese Physical Therapy Association (JPTA), to share insights about the association and physiotherapy in Japan.
There are more than 180,000 physiotherapists and more than 270 schools of physiotherapy in Japan. Tomonori said the majority of physiotherapists in Japan work in hospitals or long term care facilities, but increasingly physiotherapists are also moving into the community to treat people in their home – particularly the elderly.
Tomonori explained the physiotherapist education system in Japan and said annually more than 10,000 people take a national physiotherapist exam.
Jonathon and Tomonori also discussed advocacy and the key role that JPTA was playing to supply a team of over 700 physiotherapists to support the athletes at the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.
Jonathon concluded the session with a short light-hearted quiz to find out how well Tomomori, and the audience, knew him and his love of Japanese culture before encouraging people to visit Tokyo for #WorldPhysio2023.
Congress sessions are available on demand to all registered participants until 8 July 2021.
Save the date
- World Physiotherapy general meeting: 30-31 May 2023
- WorldPhysio2023: 1-4 June 2023
