Working in Japan
General Information
Number of occupational therapists in Japan
118,471
Main language(s) spoken in Japan
Japanese
Other languages commonly spoken in Japan
Japanese
Registration
Occupational therapists are required to register with a federal/national organisation to practice
Required
For further information, please inquire of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/index.html (External) ↗
Medical Professions Division of Health Policy Bureau is in charge of OT license and registration procedures.
Medical Professions Division of Health Policy Bureau is in charge of OT license and registration procedures.
Occupational therapists are required to register with a state/regional organisation to practice
Not Required
It is compulsory to join the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists in order to practice as an occupational therapist
No
Practicing Requirements
Graduation from a WFOT approved programme is required to register to practice
Yes
Language(s) that are required for occupational therapists to practice
Japanese
Employment Opportunities
Occupational therapy is recognised as a shortage occupation
Yes
Sources of information for occupational therapist employment opportunities
Public Employment Security Office (managed by MHLW): https://jsite.mhlw.go.jp/hyogo-roudoukyoku/riyousha_mokuteki_menu/english/info_hellowork.html (External) ↗, https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000673003.pdf (External) ↗
Websites of some prefectural associations of occupational therapists Recruitment agencies’ websites and some major companies are as follows: Recruit Holdings: https://recruit-holdings.com/en/ (External) ↗ Persol Group: https://www.persol-group.co.jp/en/index.html (External) ↗ Mynavi Corporation: https://www.mynavi.jp/eng/company/ (External) ↗ PT-OT-ST.Net: https://www.pt-ot-st.net/ (External) ↗
Websites of some prefectural associations of occupational therapists Recruitment agencies’ websites and some major companies are as follows: Recruit Holdings: https://recruit-holdings.com/en/ (External) ↗ Persol Group: https://www.persol-group.co.jp/en/index.html (External) ↗ Mynavi Corporation: https://www.mynavi.jp/eng/company/ (External) ↗ PT-OT-ST.Net: https://www.pt-ot-st.net/ (External) ↗
Immigration
Immigration regulations or visa requirements to practice
Immigration Service Agency, https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/status/qaq5.html (External) ↗
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational therapy assistants exist in Japan
No
Disclaimer: This information was provided by Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists and was last updated on 3rd September 2024. WFOT is not liable for any inaccuracies, omissions, or changes in the information provided. This information is intended as a guide and should be independently verified before making any decisions.
Definition of Occupational Therapy in Japan
Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists's definition of occupational therapy in own language
作業療法は、人々の健康と幸福を促進するために、医療、保健、福祉、教育、職業などの領域で行われる、作業に焦点を当てた治療、指導、援助である。作業とは、対象となる人々にとって目的や価値を持つ生活行為を指す。
（註釈）
・作業療法は「人は作業を通して健康や幸福になる」という基本理念と学術的根拠に基づいて行われる。
・作業療法の対象となる人々とは、身体、精神、発達、高齢期の障害や、環境への不適応により、日々の作業に困難が生じている、またはそれが予測される人や集団を指す。
・作業には、日常生活活動、家事、仕事、趣味、遊び、対人交流、休養など、人が営む生活行為と、それを行うのに必要な心身の活動が含まれる。
・作業には、人々ができるようになりたいこと、できる必要があること、できることが期待されていることなど、個別的な目的や価値が含まれる。
・作業に焦点を当てた実践には、心身機能の回復、維持、あるいは低下を予防する手段としての作業の利用と、その作業自体を練習し、できるようにしていくという目的としての作業の利用、およびこれらを達成するための環境への働きかけが含まれる。
（註釈）
・作業療法は「人は作業を通して健康や幸福になる」という基本理念と学術的根拠に基づいて行われる。
・作業療法の対象となる人々とは、身体、精神、発達、高齢期の障害や、環境への不適応により、日々の作業に困難が生じている、またはそれが予測される人や集団を指す。
・作業には、日常生活活動、家事、仕事、趣味、遊び、対人交流、休養など、人が営む生活行為と、それを行うのに必要な心身の活動が含まれる。
・作業には、人々ができるようになりたいこと、できる必要があること、できることが期待されていることなど、個別的な目的や価値が含まれる。
・作業に焦点を当てた実践には、心身機能の回復、維持、あるいは低下を予防する手段としての作業の利用と、その作業自体を練習し、できるようにしていくという目的としての作業の利用、およびこれらを達成するための環境への働きかけが含まれる。
Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists's definition of occupational therapy in English
Occupational Therapy is occupation-focused therapy, guidance and support provided in fields such as medical care, public health, welfare, education and employment, with the aim of promoting human health and well-being. “Occupation” refers to daily activities that are purposeful and meaningful to each person.
(Notes)
1. Occupational therapy is grounded on the fundamental principle and academic evidence that “people’s health and well-being can be promoted through occupation".
2. “Clients” are individuals or groups of people who have or are expected to have difficulties in their daily activities as a result of physical, mental, developmental, or age-related disabilities or difficulty adjusting to their environment.
3. “Occupations" include daily activities such as activities of daily living, housework, work, hobbies, play, interpersonal interaction, and rest; and are founded on physical and mental components for each activity.
4. “Occupations” are activities that a person wants to, needs to, or is expected to do, and have purpose and meaning for each person.
5. Occupation-focused practice involves using occupations as ends to restore, maintain, or prevent the decline of physical and mental function, and occupations as means to practice and achieve occupational engagement, and modifying environment to support its achievement.
(Notes)
1. Occupational therapy is grounded on the fundamental principle and academic evidence that “people’s health and well-being can be promoted through occupation".
2. “Clients” are individuals or groups of people who have or are expected to have difficulties in their daily activities as a result of physical, mental, developmental, or age-related disabilities or difficulty adjusting to their environment.
3. “Occupations" include daily activities such as activities of daily living, housework, work, hobbies, play, interpersonal interaction, and rest; and are founded on physical and mental components for each activity.
4. “Occupations” are activities that a person wants to, needs to, or is expected to do, and have purpose and meaning for each person.
5. Occupation-focused practice involves using occupations as ends to restore, maintain, or prevent the decline of physical and mental function, and occupations as means to practice and achieve occupational engagement, and modifying environment to support its achievement.
Definition date: May 2018
Publications
Asian Journal of Occupational Therapy
AsJOT provides opportunities for researchers from Asia and other regions/countries to publish their influential research articles and reviews covering occupational therapy and its fundamental academic disciplines relevant to occupational therapy
Education Programmes
WFOT Approved Programmes in Japan
166