-abstract2011 Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture
 Toward Better Healthcare in Japan and the World in the 21st Century June 19, 2011

Preface

The Tokyo Declaration on Japanese Acupuncture was adopted after due deliberation of the60th Annual Congress of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustion and the39th 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 andLicensure Examination in Anma-Massage-Acupressure, Acupuncture, and Moxibustion; theJapan Acupuncture and Moxibustion Association; Zen Nihon Shinkyu Massage-shi Kai; theJapan College Association of Oriental Medicine; the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine; theNational Association of Presidents of Schools for the Visually Impaired; the Japan Associationof Massage & Acupuncture Teachers; the 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 onJapanese Acupuncture composed of twenty Japanese scientists in related fields. The
committee's deliberations began in early 2010, and in order to collect public comments, thefirst draft was published on the website of the Japan Society of Acupuncture and Moxibustionin May 2011. The second draft prepared by the Drafting Committee was presented at theabove-mentioned congresses.

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

Proposals

The historical background and current social status of Japanese acupuncture andmoxibustion were analyzed prior to preparing this Declaration. The great significance of thisDeclaration will be recognized by promoting an understanding of the characteristics andfuture issues of Japanese acupuncture and moxibustion among professionals in acupuncture
and moxibustion medicine, and in healthcare and healthcare administration. We hope thatsuch an understanding would influence the development of acupuncture and moxibustion
throughout the world in the future.

We hereby declare the following:1.

We shall extensively publish new findings in acupuncture and moxibustion tothe medical community and the general public for further comprehension andappraisal of acupuncture and moxibustion.

2.

We shall design a study, design capable of demonstrating the clinical significanceof acupuncture and moxibustion, in order to contribute to the advancement ofworldwide research on the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture andmoxibustion.

3.

We shall secure the appropriate position of acupuncture and moxibustion in theJapanese healthcare system.

4.

We shall promote understanding of acupuncture and moxibustion as part ofJapan’s precious cultural heritage and familiarize the public with the therapy.

5.

We shall facilitate exchanges among the acupuncture and moxibustion
communities of Japan and other countries, respect their characteristics, deepen
each other’s understandings of acupuncture and moxibustion, and endeavor tomaintain the inherit diversity of acupuncture and moxibustion practices globally.

6.

We shall take a holistic approach in offering acupuncture and moxibustion
therapy, thereby further contributing to the maintenance and improvement ofhealth as well as to the prevention and treatment of disease.

Contents of the Tokyo Declaration shall be subject to change over time because acupuncture
and moxibustion shall continue to develop and evolve in the future.