On August 2 and 3, 2025, an unprecedented event took place in Brazil: the 1st Symposium on Traditional Japanese Therapies. The event brought together various teachers, professionals, and students (including those studying Shiatsu). The Symposium brought together Japanese knowledge, art, culture, and experiences, as we believe that experiencing culture together with teachers and students (as happens in Japan) is essential. The event united and strengthened the community of students, teachers, and therapists who study and work with Japanese techniques such as Shiatsu in Brazil.
The symposium was conceived and organized by Teacher/Sensei, Shiatsu Therapist, and Acupuncturist Paulo Pierin Luz, with the support of important entities such as JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and ASBBJ (Southern Brazilian Association of Scholarship Students in Japan), represented by Mr. Luciano Campos Rodrigues (who is president of ASBBJ) and the Nipocultura group (which promotes Japanese culture and supports events of this size in Brazil), represented by Hisae Yagura Kaneoya, as well as Dojo Fukunaga (represented by Sensei Alice Rumi Fukunaga and René Cardozo) and Praktos College.
The event was created for Shiatsu therapists or anyone who works with Traditional Japanese Techniques, with the aim not only of learning/refining techniques, but also of experiencing Japanese culture and bringing together teachers and students of Traditional Japanese Techniques in Brazil to strengthen ties and create networking opportunities.
We had several teachers and topics covered, listed below:
- Sensei Alice Rumi Fukunaga (Lectures on: Shiatsu, Anmá, Seitai e Taiheki);
- René Cardozo (Lectures on: Seitai e Taiheki – Spontaneous Movements);
- Eric Fagundes (Lectures on: Manaka Acupuncture and Japanese Ontake Moxibustion Therapy);
- Issao Tabioka (Lectures on: Ashitsubo – Japanese Foot Therapy);
- Margareth Takarada (Lectures on: Method Yura e Kenko Taiso);
- Anderson Okamura (Lectures on: Omotenashi, Kaizen e 5S)
- Sensei Yoshihiro Odo and Sensei Victoria Cerezo – Escola Shinkyu (Masterclass on: Acupuncture and Moxibustion, the ancient art of Nihon);
Despite the long relationship between Brazil and Japan (in 2025, we will celebrate 130 years since the signing of the “Treaty of Friendship, Trade, and Navigation” regarding diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two countries, and 117 years since the beginning of Japanese immigration to Brazil) the history of Traditional Japanese Therapies (including Shiatsu) is still in its early stages in Brazil.
Therefore, even though the event is considered small (especially since it is the first edition), we believe that it achieved its goal by bringing together professionals from different parts of the country, helping to strengthen the roots of Shiatsu, deepening the path, and flourishing knowledge.
It is important to remember that the partnership between Brazil and Japan involves cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, with a particular focus on medical sciences and health (which includes Shiatsu). In addition to being practiced in offices, SPAs, and private clinics, Shiatsu is included in Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) as an Integrative and Complementary Practice, and is even offered free of charge to the general population at some public health facilities in the country.
That is why it is important to promote Traditional Japanese Techniques in Brazil, to publicize and encourage more events like this to be held in the country, with the aim of studying the theoretical foundations in greater depth, applying and refining the techniques, and exchanging experiences of treatment, so that in the future we can consider events dedicated exclusively to the technique of Shiatsu in Brazil.
This will enable us to have a greater number of professionals practicing Shiatsu, as well as better and more skilled therapists, since these professionals will be able to honor the fundamentals and work correctly and appropriately with Traditional Japanese Therapies, whether in public or private healthcare establishments (inside and outside Brazil).
The event can be considered a milestone in the country, paving the way for future interactions between professionals from Brazil and Japan (especially in techniques considered traditional and at the same time contemporary, as is the case with Shiatsu).
Author
Lucilaine Stein
- 1st symposium on traditional Japanese therapies in Florianópolis (Brazil) - 3 September 2025
