[First Event] "Therapist of 88 Years" Michiyo Akiyoshi Book Signing Event to be Held

"Therapist of 88 Years" Michiyo Akiyoshi

This year marks her 88th birthday. Delivering the warmth of her hands as a practicing therapist.

As a leading figure in Japan for "Therapeutic Care," a mind-body care method devised by the British Red Cross, Michiyo Akiyoshi, the "Therapist of 88 Years," is actively involved in volunteer work at elderly care facilities and hospices, and has also visited the Noto Peninsula earthquake disaster area.

In fact, Akiyoshi was a full-time housewife until she was 60, dedicating her life to housework, raising three children, and caring for her visually impaired mother-in-law at home since her marriage at age 22.

A Turning Point at Age 60

In 1999, when Akiyoshi turned 60, she encountered the completely new care method "Therapeutic Care" from the British Red Cross during a trip to the UK, which she visited as a volunteer at a care facility.

Entrusted by the inventor of the care method to promote it in Japan during her stay, Akiyoshi made a resolute decision.

Since then, while continuing her volunteer activities at care facilities, hospices, and palliative care wards, she has traveled across the country to deliver this care to as many people as possible and has also begun training volunteers.

September 1999

A fateful encounter with "Therapeutic Care" at the British Red Cross, where she visited for study (Front row, right: Akiyoshi)

From Full-Time Housewife to Chairperson of a National Organization at 66

In 2005, at the age of 66, she established an NPO.

The organization later grew into a national body with approximately 800 members.

Akiyoshi's way of life, dedicating her second life to social contribution, was featured as "Therapist of 80" on RKB Mainichi Broadcasting's "Kyokan TV" in 2019.

Akiyoshi caring for disaster victims at temporary housing in the Noto Peninsula (June 2025)

Her First Book Signing Event

And now, Akiyoshi will hold her first-ever book signing event for her own book.

On the day of the event, she will personally sign copies of Akiyoshi's books purchased at the venue of the "8th Annual Meeting of the Japan Association for Home Care Medicine."

At the same conference, you can also experience Therapeutic Care firsthand.

We encourage you to attend.

Michiyo Akiyoshi Profile

Born in Saga Prefecture in 1938.

In 1999, at the age of 60, she visited the British Red Cross alone as the Chairperson of the Special Service Committee of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Fukuoka Branch, to study volunteer work. During her stay, she was entrusted by the inventor of Therapeutic Care to promote it in Japan.

Since then, alongside her volunteer activities, she has dedicated herself to human resource development and public awareness by giving lectures and training sessions as a representative instructor of the Therapeutic Care Association.

Received the Dazaifu City Citizen Activity Award for 2020 (Social Welfare Contribution).

Book Signing Event Schedule

Date and Time: July 5, 2026 (Sun) 13:00 - 13:45

Venue: "8th Annual Meeting of the Japan Association for Home Care Medicine"

Sapporo Convention Center (1-1-1 Higashi Sapporo 6-jo, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo)

Entrance in front of the 1F Grand Hall

*Books will be sold at the adjacent Kinokuniya booth.

Admission to the book sales and signing event venue is free for everyone, so it is possible to attend only for book purchase and signing event without participating in the conference.

Books on Sale on the Day

The Warmth of Hands is the Warmth of the Heart

Therapeutic Care: A Drama of Encounters

Author: Michiyo Akiyoshi Price: 1,650 yen

Publisher: Mokuseisha May 2013 / Standard Paperback, 168 pages

This latest book delves into the origins of Akiyoshi's volunteer spirit, who has been dedicated to promoting Therapeutic Care as a leading figure in Japan. <Contribution> Effects of Therapeutic Care Treatment / Professor Hajime Yamaguchi, Obirin University

Therapeutic Care from the UK

Gentle Communication Conveyed with Both Hands

Author: Michiyo Akiyoshi Price: 1,760 yen

Publisher: Mokuseisha December 2003 / Hardcover, 152 pages

This book details the encounter with Therapeutic Care, which is only briefly touched upon in the latest book. Reading it in conjunction with the latest book will deepen your understanding of Therapeutic Care.

Therapeutic Care Experience at the "8th Annual Meeting of the Japan Association for Home Care Medicine"

Date and Time: July 5, 2026 (Sun) 9:00 - 16:30

Venue: Sapporo Industrial Promotion Center 3F Seminar Room 6

Hands-on Seminar 10 "Dignity and Happiness for All People Through the Warmth of Hands"

*Although categorized as a "seminar," this is a care experience.

Treatment Fee: Free

*No prior reservation required / Approximately 15 minutes per person / Can be received while wearing clothes.

Participation in the conference requires a participation fee. Please check the official website for details.

https://www.aeplan.jp/jahcm2026/

What is Therapeutic Care?

Meaning "healing care," it is a "hand treatment" devised by the British Red Cross that heals the mind and body with the warmth of hands.

Without using medication or tools, it gently strokes the shoulders, back, hands, legs, etc., through clothing, to relax a tense mind and body and provide comfort.

It is used in all stages of life, from prenatal and postnatal care, childcare support, terminal care, elderly support, disaster relief, to welfare experience classes in elementary, junior high, and high schools.

Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release

Certified NPO Japan Therapeutic Care Association

Head Office Secretariat Fukuoka Prefecture Dazaifu City Gojo 2-6-1-202

TEL: 092-928-1546 (Weekdays 10:00 - 16:00)

e-mail: info☆therapy-care.net (Replace ☆ with @)

Contact: Higuchi

http://therapy-care.net/