Someone who is cheerful, cooperative, patient and inclusive. A person who finds it rewarding to do things for others. Physical strength and a sensitive and attentive mind are also important.

Physical therapists provide rehabilitation through physical therapy, such as exercise therapy, massage therapy, and electrical stimulation of the affected area, to people who have become physically disabled due to injury or illness. Occupational therapists, on the other hand, teach patients with physical or mental disabilities how to perform activities necessary for daily living and help them participate in society through tasks such as crafts, handicrafts, and gardening. The demand for these jobs is increasing every year as welfare services are being enhanced due to the aging of the population and other factors.

Neither a physical therapist nor an occupational therapist can become a physical therapist without passing a national examination. To qualify for the examinations, both physical therapists and occupational therapists must complete a prescribed period of study and earn credits at a university, junior college, or other training facility designated by the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare. The pass rate for both national examinations is high, at around 80%.

With the aging of the population, demand for both professions is increasing and there is currently a shortage of workers. However, as more and more people become certified each year, competition for survival may intensify in the future. Even if you successfully find a job, you should always aim to improve your skills by acquiring a certification as a "certified therapist" from the Japan Physical Therapist Association or as a "certified occupational therapist" from the Japan Occupational Therapist Association.

Although it varies somewhat depending on where they work, the national average annual salary for both physical and occupational therapists is 4,189,000 yen.

Both are basically regular two-day workweeks, but depending on where you work, you may have to work several nights a month.

Hospitals, health centers and rehabilitation centers, special nursing homes, and facilities for physically handicapped children.

It's a chart that shows at a glance the main routes to a job as a physical or occupational therapist!