Message from the chairperson
I wish to proudly inform you that the 59th Japanese Occupational Therapy Congress & Expo will be
held
in
Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture, over three days from November 7 to 9, 2025. Takamatsu is a port city
facing the Seto Inland Sea. From Takamatsu Port, located very close to the congress venue, islands in the
Seto Inland Sea can be seen both close up and in the distance, making Takamatsu a scenic city. The city,
which flourished as a castle town during the Edo period, is filled with attractions, including Takamatsu
Castle, Ritsurin Garden, and other historical sites and museums. Above all, it goes without saying that udon
noodles, on which the logo of this congress is based, are famous in this region.
As for the congress, its theme has been determined as "Generating Evidence to Enhance the Value
of
Occupational Therapy." Although the importance of evidence has long been emphasized in the implementation of
various treatments and assistance, it cannot be said that we have sufficient evidence that we can use in
daily clinical occupational therapy practice. In recent years, in addition to traditional outcomes, more
emphasis has come to be placed on QOL and other patient-reported outcomes (PROs), the impact on patients'
families and caregivers, and social impact. I personally believe that the value of occupational therapy is
infinite. I also believe that taking this value to a higher level, that is, disseminating evidence that
increases the value, will lead to improved effectiveness in daily clinical practice and the future happiness
of patients and their families.
The congress will be held in Shikoku for the first time in 36 years since the 23rd Ehime
Congress in
1989.
At that time, the numbers of certified individuals and JAOT (Japanese Association of Occupational
Therapists) members are 4,084 and 3,387, respectively. Today, these numbers have increased by 29 times and
18.5 times, respectively, which makes us marvel anew at the rapid growth of our industry. At the Ehime
Congress, 177 presentations were made, with 882 people participating. In considering this, at the Takamatsu
Congress, we hope that more than 10 times as many presentations will be made—although the number is not
commensurate with the growth of the membership.
The congress program will include many educational lectures and seminars, not to mention the
keynote
speeches and symposiums as usual. It is true that making general presentations is important and meaningful,
but the congress will also undoubtedly provide a good opportunity to acquire new knowledge and skills, as
well as the ideas and techniques of the more experienced, outstanding professionals. We hope to make this
such an attractive congress that you will feel like attending the lectures, making a presentation, being a
participant, or just visiting the site. Don't miss out! We sincerely look forward to your participation.
- The 59th Japanese Occupational Therapy Congress & Expo
(Takamatsu)
ChairpersonShinichi Noto
(Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation,
Niigata University of Health and Welfare) 