In conjunction with the World Physiotherapy Congress held in Tokyo, we had the great honor of welcoming a distinguished delegation from Finland. The delegates represented both the Finnish Rehabilitation Educators Association and the Finnish Rehabilitation Entrepreneurs Association, bringing with them a wealth of expertise and insight into rehabilitation practices in Finland.
The visiting group was composed of a multidisciplinary team of rehabilitation professionals, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, psychotherapists, as well as experts in rehabilitation education and business. Their collective experience and diverse backgrounds contributed to rich discussions and valuable knowledge sharing throughout the visit.
As Japan is globally recognized as a “super-aged” society—with one of the highest proportions of elderly citizens in the world—the visit provided an excellent opportunity to explore how Japanese healthcare and rehabilitation services are addressing age-related challenges. The Finnish delegation visited several leading institutions, including rehabilitation hospitals, physical therapy clinics, and geriatric and gerontology research institutes. These site visits showcased Japan’s advanced approaches to elderly care, community-based rehabilitation, and innovative use of technology in patient support.
During the exchange, both parties engaged in in-depth conversations about the future of rehabilitation in aging societies, sharing best practices, strategies for interprofessional collaboration, and approaches to training the next generation of therapists and caregivers.
The visit strengthened the relationship between Japanese and Finnish rehabilitation professionals, highlighting the value of knowledge sharing in addressing the common challenges faced by both countries as super-aged societies. It also opened doors for future academic, clinical, and entrepreneurial collaborations.
We extend our sincere gratitude to our Finnish guests for their visit and look forward to continued partnership in advancing rehabilitation care worldwide.
We also warmly thank InterReha Co., Ltd. for their kind hospitality and the informative, well-organized tour.
Presentation at Tokyo Conference Center
Mr. Matsui, a physiotherapist, visited Finland 16 years ago to study the Finnish welfare system and elderly care practices. In his presentation, he shared valuable insights and firsthand experience gained through managing multiple senior care facilities across Japan. He currently serves as a Board Member of the Japanese Physical Therapy Association and is the founder of Hot Reha Systems—a company that has developed a comprehensive range of welfare and rehabilitation services from the ground up.
Finnish Delegates Visit Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology
At the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, the institute’s director and senior researchers shared their insights into the challenges of Japan’s aging society and presented the latest research—integrating physiotherapy, digital innovation, AI diagnostics, and population health strategies to address frailty and promote longevity.
Visit to Mirai Rehabilitation Hospital
Mirai Rehabilitation Hospital, a state-of-the-art facility that opened this April, welcomed the delegation. The hospital director, a physiotherapist specializing in rehabilitation, introduced the facility and its advanced devices.
Visit to Physio Center
Located in the heart of Tokyo, Physio Center is Japan’s first private rehabilitation facility within a university hospital operating outside the public health insurance system. It offers personalized care by combining expert physiotherapy, advanced equipment, and objective assessments.
Delegation Dinner and Cultural Exchange
A delegation dinner with Finnish representatives was also attended by Japanese physiotherapists, offering a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas and insights on therapeutic practices in both countries.