Japan Emergency Life-Saving Technicians Association Announces New Leadership for Second Term: Tomoya Kirono Reappointed as Chair to Strengthen Cross-Sector Collaboration and Address the '2040 Challenge' in Emergency Medical Care

The Japan Emergency Life-Saving Technicians Association (JELSTA, head office: Tokyo, Chair: Tomoya Kirono, hereinafter 'the Association') has completed its second year since establishment and has now entered its second fiscal term. In this context, the Association held its General Council and Regular Board Meeting on June 6, 2026, and approved new executive appointments consisting of 17 board members and a new executive leadership structure.

Tomoya Kirono (Kokushikan University), who led the organization as its founding chair, will continue to serve as chair for the second term. Three vice-chairs have been appointed: Noriyasu Fukuoka (Aichi Shukutoku University), Manabu Kitahara (National Center for Global Medicine), and Minoru Kannonuma (Fuji-Goko Fire Department).

Under the new leadership, the Association will advance efforts to enhance the professionalism and working environment of emergency life-saving technicians across diverse fields—including fire departments, medical institutions, the Japan Coast Guard, the Self-Defense Forces, private sector organizations, and educational institutions—while also promoting the social value of their profession.

Second-Term Leadership and Committee Assignments

To achieve more effective operations and stronger governance, the Association has newly established two committees.

Chair: Tomoya Kirono (Kokushikan University)

Vice-Chairs:

Noriyasu Fukuoka (Aichi Shukutoku University)

Minoru Kannonuma (Fuji-Goko Fire Department)

Manabu Kitahara (National Center for Global Medicine)

Board Members:

Yoshihiko Ichinose (Kishiwada City Fire Department)

Hiroki Ueda (Kokushikan University)

Sho Oishi (Asahi University)

Nagisa Kato (Tokyo University of Science)

Seiji Kikuchi (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force)

Koichi Kitamura (International TBC School of Nursing, Medical Care, Child Welfare, and Social Services)

Shioami Saito (Kyoto Tachibana University)

Jin Sawada (Asahi University)

Takatoshi Nakagawa (Hirosaki University of Health Sciences Junior College)

Shiori Hasegawa (Japan Emergency Systems Co., Ltd. / JEMS Link Co., Ltd.)

Takato Mikkami (Yoshida Gakuen Medical and Dental College)

Isao Miyazaki (Japanese Red Cross Ise Red Cross Hospital)

Tomikazu Yoshii (Izumo City Fire Department)

Committee Assignments:

General Affairs Committee: Hiroki Ueda, Takatoshi Nakagawa

Academic and Research Ethics Committee: Yoshihiko Ichinose, Minoru Kannonuma

Education and Training Committee: Sho Oishi

Interprofessional Collaboration Committee: Takato Mikkami (including the Japan Hospital Emergency Life-Saving Technicians Network Working Group)

Public Relations and Career Support Committee: Shiori Hasegawa, Jin Sawada

International Committee: Seiji Kikuchi, Manabu Kitahara

Disaster and Public Welfare Committee: Isao Miyazaki, Nagisa Kato

Emergency Operations Committee: Tomikazu Yoshii, Shioami Saito (including the Medical Transport Safety Measures Working Group)

Occupational and Professional Ethics Committee: Jin Sawada

Policy and Systems Committee: Koichi Kitamura, Noriyasu Fukuoka

Second-Term Strategic Goals and Addressing the '2040 Challenge' in Emergency Medical Care

The Association was established to create an environment where emergency life-saving technicians can transcend organizational boundaries and fully utilize their expertise to contribute to public safety and peace of mind. In its first term, the primary focus was on organizational development and establishing operational frameworks. The Association made significant progress by participating in advisory panels at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and building collaborative relationships with government agencies and parliamentary alliances.

For the second term, building upon this foundation, the Association has set the following strategic goal:

"Strengthening the organizational foundation with a view toward greater public recognition and organizational expansion"

By closely collaborating with government agencies, parliamentary alliances, and related organizations, the Association will promote institutional reforms and enhance education systems to support professional development. It aims to become an organization that empowers every emergency life-saving technician working in the field.

Addressing Societal Challenges in Emergency Medical Care (The '2040 Challenge')

With the elderly population peaking and the 18-year-old population declining, a significant increase in healthcare professionals is unlikely. To overcome the worsening shortage of personnel and the continuously rising demand for emergency services, the Association will advance further professional development of emergency life-saving technicians, deepen collaboration across professions and sectors, and improve the efficiency of emergency operations.

'Gathering of Emergency Technicians 2026' to be Held in Kagoshima

As part of efforts to energize regional activities and support mutual collaboration among members, the Association will host a national gathering as follows:

Date: Sunday, September 6, 2026

Venue: Raika Nangoku Hall, Kagoshima City, Kagoshima Prefecture

Special Website for 'Gathering of Emergency Technicians 2026'

Message from Chair Tomoya Kirono

"Following the first term, I am once again entrusted with the leadership of the Association as Chair for the second term, and I feel a renewed sense of responsibility. The Association was founded to transcend the boundaries of various sectors—fire departments, medical institutions, the Japan Coast Guard, the Self-Defense Forces, private organizations, and educational institutions—and to create an environment where emergency life-saving technicians can fully demonstrate their expertise and contribute to public safety and peace of mind.

In the first term, under the slogan 'Uniting the Hearts of Emergency Technicians,' we focused on cross-sector collaboration and building the foundation of our organization. Thanks to these efforts, we have made progress in establishing collaborative frameworks with the national government and relevant ministries, including participation in advisory panels at the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and engagement with parliamentary alliances supporting emergency life-saving technicians.

In the second term, to build even stronger momentum on this foundation, we have set as our key goal 'Strengthening the organizational foundation with a view toward greater public recognition and organizational expansion.' At the same time, to further promote professional development and the social value of emergency life-saving technicians, we will work closely with government agencies, parliamentary alliances, and numerous organizations related to emergency medical care to fully advance institutional development, environmental improvements, and the enhancement of education systems. Through these efforts, we are committed to building a solid and resilient organization that continues to empower every emergency life-saving technician in the field.

Today, emergency life-saving technicians are active in diverse fields. However, as the '2040 challenge'—marked by aging and population decline—becomes increasingly urgent, the roles we must fulfill and the challenges we must address are mounting. In this second term, we will unite as an executive team and dedicate our full efforts to creating a society where emergency life-saving technicians can continue to work with greater pride and to shaping the future of emergency medical care in Japan."

Japan Emergency Life-Saving Technicians Association Official Website

<About the Japan Emergency Life-Saving Technicians Association>

Name: Japan Emergency Life-Saving Technicians Association (JELSTA)

Purpose: To contribute to public safety and peace of mind by advancing the development and deployment of emergency medical care fields that meet diverse societal needs, based on the expertise of emergency life-saving technicians rooted in education and continuous training, thereby improving the quality of emergency medical care and promoting an environment where the well-being of citizens can be continuously pursued.