公益社団法人 日本義肢装具士協会

About Us

The Japanese Academy of Prosthetists and Orthotists (JAPO) was founded in May, 1993, as a professional organization consisted by national licensed prosthetists and orthotists. The mission of JAPO is to contribute to the welfare of handicapped, and towards medical and healthcare development. In addition, its aim is to fulfill our social responsibility by promoting scientific and educational attainments in the discipline of prosthetics and orthotics.

Background

In the 1970's when the rehabilitation medicine developed in Japan, related organizations such as The Association of Rehabilitation Medicine, The Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and Japanese Orthotic and Prosthetic Association started to work together on the establishment of the common license system for prosthetists and orhotists(P&O). Although there were a few national facilities which accepted a small number of P&O technicians for training, there were no systematic P&O education programs available in Japan. However, there were several P&O private companies and organizations, which facilitated workshops under their apprenticeship system.

On the other hand, the development of rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics and related health care fields had been conspicuous, and demand for P&O education was increasing. In 1983, the first Japanese P&O educational program started in The College of The National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled. This 3-year program became the base of P&O education in Japan. However, it took another 6 years to establish the Law of Prosthetists and Orthotists.

About the Law of Prosthetists and Orthotists

Under the Law of Prosthetists and Orthotists, the national license is given once a year to the candidates who passed the examination and graduated from fully accredited colleges. Table 1 shows the number of approved facilities in Japan. This year, the 31st national examination was held in Tokyo. The total number of candidates who have passed the examination so far is 5,323.

Name Year of Approval Capacity Program
The College of National Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled 1988 10 3 years (Diploma)
Japan College of Rehabilitation and Welfare Professionals 1988 30 3 years (Diploma)
Kumamoto College of Medical Science and Social Welfare 1989 25 3 years (Diploma)
Kobe College of Medical Welfare Sanda Campus 1997 30 3 years (Diploma)
Seibu Gakuen Bunri College of Nutrition and Medical Technology 2005 28 3 years (Diploma)
Hokkaido High-Technology College 2006 30 3 years (Diploma)
Hokkaido Institute of Technology 2006 30 4 years (Bachelor)
Niigata University of Health and Welfare 2007 40 4 years (Bachelor)
Kobe College of Medical Welfare Sanda Campus 2008 30 4 years (Advanced Diploma)
University of Human Arts and Sciences 2011 30 4 years (Bachelor)
Hiroshima International University 2013 30 4 years (Bachelor)

Table 1 Approved Facilities in Japan

Structural diagram

6 regional chapters and 9 committees are organized to run the Academy. Fig. 1 shows its structure.

Activities

Fig.1 JAPO Structural Diagram

Activities

JAPO provides information and holds educational events to the members through scientific meetings, seminars, and journals.

Education

Education Calendar

2019
May 10
National seminar
Necessary evaluation studies for Prosthetist and Orthotist Part4
Studies and biomechanics of orthosis, for knee osteo arthritis.

February 3
Southern Chapter
Understand other occupations Part 5
Prosthetist and Orthotist in foot care.
2018
November 24
Central Chapter
Orthosis therapy seminar for scoliosis.
〜from molding to fitting methods〜

October 21
Western Chapter
Basic knowledge of the sports artificial leg.

October 6-8
Eastern Chapter
Hand on seminar: Ischial Containment Socket Part 10 final

September 29
Hokkaido Chapter
Understand other occupations Part 5
Prosthetist and Orthotist in foot care.

August 25
Tohoku Chapter
Orthosis and Prosthesis supports life, purposes and
subjects of Orthotist and Prosthetist in the future Part 1.
~a stroke rehabilitation, in medical care and life period~

Publications

-The Journal of JAPO has been published quarterly.

Social Activities

-Cooperation with related organizations in the field of health care and medicine.

International Relationships

Membership Statistics

5,323 candidates have passed the national examination as of April 1, 2018. The Academy Membership Statistics is summarized in Table 2.

Type of membership Number
Regular 2,386
Subscribe 91
Supporting 33
Student 932
Honorary 1

Table 2. Membership Statistics

Contact

Gishikaikan #202, 32-7 5-choume, Hongou, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan
E-mail: hellopo@japo.jp
We accept E-mail only.

  • Japanese Orthotics and Prosthetics Association
  • Japanese Society of Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Japanese National Member Society of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics