The Tokyo Declaration

2011 Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture
-Toward Better Healthcare in Japan and the World in the 21st Century-

June 19, 2011

I. Preface

The Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture was adopted after due deliberation in the 60th Annual Congress of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and the 39th Annual Congress of the Japan Traditional Acupuncture and Moxibustion Society, both held on June 19, 2011, under the theme “Wisdom of Japanese Acupuncture and Moxibustion Concerning the Mind and Body.” The Congresses were sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare; the Japan Medical Association; the Foundation for Training and Licensure Examination in Anma-Massage-Acupressure, Acupuncture, and Moxibustion; the Japan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association; Zen Nihon Shinkyu Massage Shikai; the Japan College Association of Oriental Medicine; the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine; The National Society of the Principals of the School for the Blind; Japan Association of Massage & Acupuncture Teachers; All Nippon Hospital Physical Therapy Association; the Japanese Society of Oriental Physiotherapy; the Japanese Society of Ryodoraku Medicine, and the Japan Conference of Clinical Acupuncture Moxibustion.

The Declaration was prepared by the Drafting Committee of the Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture composed of twenty Japanese scientists in related fields. The committee’s deliberations began in early 2010 and the first draft was published on the website of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion in May 2011 for collecting public comments. The second draft prepared by the Drafting Committee was presented at the above-mentioned Congresses.

The Declaration was addressed to national governments of the world, related associations and academic societies, and the general public, and presents the current distinctive characteristics of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion based on their historical background. It aims to promote the further advancement of acupuncture and moxibustion as a component of medicine (or healthcare) in the world.