I Like Health and Sports

① Participating in Sports Training, Watching Competitions

Even in language or math class, one eagerly waits for PE. As long as the body can sweat, there is a sense of comfort. Whenever watching a baseball or soccer match, one becomes so excited that time slips away unnoticed.

08 Health & Sports

Enjoying “Health & Sports,” Being Interested in “Health & Sports”

Professional Athlete

Dreaming alone is not enough—through action and constant training one can become a professional athlete. However, the definition of “professional” varies depending on the sport. In baseball and soccer, professionals are those paid through their teams; in other fields, the title is given based on passing qualifying standards.

• Soccer: Around 1,000 professionals. Most are scouted by league clubs and tested. Income comes from base salary, appearance fees, and bonuses.

• Golf: About 2,200 have passed the professional test, but only a small portion live solely off prize money. Most also work as corporate players or coaches.

• Baseball: Central and Pacific League teams together employ about 800 players. Most are drafted or scouted; pay includes signing bonuses and annual salary.

• Tennis: Around 300 registered professionals. Very few live entirely off prize money.

• Wrestling & Martial Arts: Around 100 professionals, supported by organizations and tournament prize money.

• Boxing: About 2,800 licensed professionals, but only a tiny fraction survive on match earnings alone.

• Sumo: Around 700 wrestlers. They train in stables and rise through ranks; those at Jūryō division and above earn salaries plus bonuses.

• Motorsport: Various categories, with some qualifications required. Most are paid by teams. In Japan, about 20–40 make a living purely from competition earnings.

• Horse Racing: Around 900 jockeys. To race centrally, one must graduate from jockey school and earn a license; local racing requires an exam. Earnings come from allowances, prize money, and stable contracts.

• Bicycle Racing (Keirin): About 3,000 athletes, all trained at Keirin School and tested. Paid through race winnings and subsidies.

• Boat Racing: About 1,500 athletes, trained at Yamato Boat School and licensed. Earn prize money and subsidies.

• Bowling: Japan Pro Bowling Association has 1,121 members. Income from prize money, coaching, and sponsorships.

In addition to these, many Japanese companies operate “corporate teams.” Athletes in these groups are technically amateurs but are treated as professionals, earning salaries for competing. Japanese corporate athletes are considered among the strongest amateurs worldwide. Yet, with funding shortages, such teams face decline—even in athletics and swimming.

Sports Agent

A sports agent represents an athlete, team, or organization, negotiating contracts and managing publicity. This role began in the U.S. alongside the rise of the sports economy. In Japan, baseball is most prominent, but agents’ involvement has been tightly restricted. With the increase in overseas transfers for soccer and baseball players, however, agents are gaining recognition.

For example, FIFA agents require licensing, and many are also lawyers. Across sports, law knowledge is indispensable, as are skills in foreign languages, business, and marketing. In Japan, most agents operate as small firms, sometimes hiring experts with these combined skills.

Sports Columnist

Sports columnists, usually freelancers, write for newspapers and magazines. Traditionally, announcers or journalists handled sports reporting, while commentary columns were often given to retired athletes. With the growth of sports media, demand has risen for professional writers with deeper knowledge.

Generally, one first gains experience at a newspaper or publisher, then transitions to freelance work.

Sports Coach

The work of a coach varies widely by sport, but fundamentally involves training and guiding athletes or teams. Many coaches are retired professionals or experienced competitors, and personal networks are crucial.

Some also coach at schools. Even teachers can take on coaching as a main duty, depending on the school’s focus. There are certification systems—for example, football coaching licenses range from amateur to professional, and tennis has tiered qualifications. Knowledge of sports science, design, and even marketing tied to athletics is increasingly important.

Large corporations sometimes openly recruit sports staff. For those who love sports and possess specialized expertise, opportunities can be advantageous.

Referee

Only a few sports provide refereeing as a full-time career—professional baseball, sumo, some combat sports, horse racing, and motorsport. In pro baseball, both Central and Pacific Leagues recruit periodically.

In most other sports, refereeing is part-time, with pay calculated per event. Referees must know rules thoroughly, possess stamina and judgment, and usually hold certifications issued by associations. In soccer, there are four referee grades, plus a women’s grade. Top domestic referees and international referees are selected from the first grade. Globally, referees in popular sports are moving toward professionalization.

Sports Photographer

Sports photographers work for newspapers, news agencies, publishers, and photo agencies, or freelance. Freelancers often cover popular sports like soccer, tennis, or racing.

While once it required extreme technical mastery to capture fast-paced events, today’s advanced cameras have narrowed that gap. Still, sports photography demands quick reflexes, timing, and sports knowledge. With growing opportunities for overseas coverage, foreign language ability is a strong asset.

One path is joining a newspaper as staff; another is apprenticing as a photographer’s assistant.

Professional Wrestler

With legends like Rikidōzan, Giant Baba, and Antonio Inoki gone, the heroic era of wrestling has passed. In its place, wrestling that emphasizes combat technique has gained favor, distinct from traditional “show wrestling.”

The essence of wrestling is not only who is stronger, but the drama of training, skill, and staged rivalries. Wrestlers are usually at least junior high graduates. There are dozens of organizations, with both minor wrestlers and star players, plus many young trainees. Some retire early due to injury. Many professionals start from amateur wrestling, while others transition from sumo or judo.

Work is grueling: constant training and performance matches. Since the 1970s, women’s wrestling, with its agility and showmanship, has also attracted fans.

Martial Artists & Fighters

Combat sports take many forms worldwide. In Japan alone, traditional disciplines include judo, karate, kendo, aikido, and older schools of bushidō. Abroad, there is Russian sambo, Thai muay thai, Korean taekwondo, plus boxing and wrestling.

Career paths vary—some run dojos, some compete professionally, others belong to corporate teams or travel globally as instructors. Many martial arts emerged from interethnic struggles, meant for defense or victory. But Japanese bushidō has long emphasized not only winning, but moral cultivation. Its noble philosophy resonates worldwide, attracting learners across ages.

In Japan, one can learn various martial arts by joining a dojo. Motivations vary—self-defense, strength, or education. The earlier one begins, the more advantageous it is for turning this into a profession.

Other Related Professions

• Ballet Dancer (p.237)

• Flamenco Dancer (p.237)

• Cheerleader (p.238)

• Fitness Trainer (p.239)

• Rescue Team Member (p.291)

• SAT Police Special Forces (p.291)

• Stunt Double (p.320)

• Fight Choreographer / Action Actor (p.324)

• Racing Driver (p.335)

Essay | The Expansive Stage of Professional Sports

Koda Ikuo

Children who love sports naturally dream of becoming professional athletes. Yet in reality, it is extremely difficult. While the Japan Sports Association counts about 10 million participants, only about 10,000 can truly be called professional, and even fewer live entirely on competition earnings.

Unlike most careers, sports peak in one’s 20s or early 30s. Thus, professional training begins young—competition for professional tracks starts in one’s teens. For instance, in soccer, joining after high school makes it nearly impossible to reach the J.League. Selection often begins between ages 10–15, with even younger scouting pools. Tennis and gymnastics are similar.

In Europe, elite programs and club systems exist to identify and train prodigies early. Many sports value childhood training as essential. Successful professionals typically combine natural talent, early training, skilled coaches, and good fortune avoiding major injuries. For most others, ages 15–20 are the years of abandoning professional ambitions.

Still, participating in sports even without turning pro provides benefits—choices, opportunities, and sometimes careers in related fields.

From a business perspective, Japan’s sports market is still in transition. The J.League, for example, has generated entire industries—management, stadium operations, sports medicine, media, fashion, and merchandising. Sports can thus be “for spectators” and “for doing.” Yet compared to Europe and the U.S., Japan’s adult participation rate is much lower. With aging and rising medical costs, demand for better sports environments is growing.

If participation increases, many new markets and careers will follow—some volunteer, some corporate, some NPO-based. Ultimately, there are many paths to dedicate oneself to beloved sports.

📌 Written in 2003

② Dance

Some people memorize dance steps perfectly, performing a routine without a single mistake, and afterward feel great joy. While dancing, all unhappiness is thrown aside. Whether it is classical ballet, jazz dance, breakdance, or aerobics, simply watching professionals move their bodies can be a delight.

Ballet Dancer

To stand gracefully on stage as a ballet dancer, many join ballet companies, though some work as freelancers. In general, anyone may audition for a company, though in some cases only affiliated training schools accept candidates.

When renowned companies hold auditions, elite students from many training schools gather, creating a tense atmosphere. If one has not joined a ballet school before age 10, becoming a professional is very difficult. Routines of strict training refine the basics, followed by advanced technique and expression. In addition to artistry, physical management such as weight control is strictly required.

Costs are high—tuition, stage costumes—but even professionals rarely earn much. Recently, however, Japanese ballet dancers have entered European companies and gained worldwide recognition, creating new opportunities for the profession.

Back Dancer

Back dancers perform behind singers, enhancing the stage atmosphere. The style of dance changes with the song’s mood. Recently, street dance has gained attention alongside popular music.

For one-off jobs such as commercials, recruitment is usually through auditions. For longer engagements like concert tours, recommendations from choreographers are common. Increasingly, dancers sign with groups. Few make a living solely as back dancers; most also work in musicals, as instructors in dance studios, or performers in theme parks.

Choreographers often also serve as back dancers. Some who began as back dancers later became choreographers. Success begins with auditions, building personal networks, and expanding opportunities. Flexibility across genres and the ability to complement singers are essential.

Flamenco Dancer

Flamenco, born about 200 years ago in Andalusia, southern Spain, is danced to singing and guitar, expressing the joys and sorrows of life. Said to have originated in the cries of oppressed Flamenco people, the art still carries that intensity.

Though many Japanese are passionate about flamenco, almost none live on it alone; nearly all also teach. There are no strict certification requirements, but many study in Spain. In addition to dance, one must also understand flamenco singing and guitar. Passion is indispensable—success depends on whether one’s performance can truly move others.

Musical Theater Dancer

Musical theater blends dance, singing, and acting. Dancers in musicals are trained not only in dance but also in performance skills.

Schools provide one- to two-year courses covering child development psychology, rhythm education theory, foundations, and practice. Graduates often find work through school networks. Musical theater dancers work mainly in cultural centers, dance studios, or as independents. Many continue even after marriage and raising children, making it an attractive career for those who love children and performing arts such as music, ballet, and dance.

Kabuki Actor

In the highly exclusive world of traditional arts, ordinary people who wish to become professionals have one route: the trainee program managed by the Japan Arts Council and the National Theater. Few outsiders become stars—perhaps only a handful like Bandō Tamasaburō in decades.

Training is full-time for two years, including kabuki techniques, movement, acrobatics, makeup, costumes, wigs, Japanese dance, music, voice, etiquette, and more. Requirements: male, under 23, at least junior high graduates. Recruitment is open every two years.

Trainees first take simple skill tests, interviews, and health checks. For six months their suitability is assessed; then they may be formally accepted. After training, they join the Japan Actors Association as reserve members of the Kabuki Preservation Society. They perform but usually without lines.

After a year, they may enter a troupe as supporting actors, but only about 25% rise further, and even then major roles are rare. Compared to children born into kabuki families, outsiders are disadvantaged. Still, exceptions exist—some troupes have relied heavily on talented trainees. Yet with competition increasing, entry is harder than ever.

Kyōgen Actor

Kyōgen, with a history of 600 years, is a traditional performing art closely linked with Noh. Unlike Noh’s strict and solemn style, kyōgen is light, witty, and humorous. As of 2009, there were 136 kyōgen actors in the Ōkura and Izumi schools. Even the same play is performed differently between schools.

Though hereditary traditions dominate, kyōgen is open to outsiders. The usual path is to apprentice under a master. Some begin even after age 30. Teaching cultural classes is also a path. However, compared with those raised in performing families, outsiders face steep challenges.

Stage Director

Stage directors lead theater and musicals, applying creativity and energy to stage productions. They guide actors, collaborate with designers, lighting, and sound staff, and create memorable performances.

The Japan Directors Association lists about 580 registered members, with some active internationally. Career paths vary: Yukio Ninagawa began as an actor, later directing; Amon Miyamoto studied abroad after acting and choreography. Many direct as freelancers or form their own troupes.

Beginners often work as assistants, sometimes with little or no pay, or enter training programs and workshops. Talent is indispensable—but for theater lovers, the field offers limitless appeal.

Circus Performer

Aerialists, acrobats, clowns—circus acts are beloved worldwide. Yet mastering any act requires years of training. Circuses travel constantly, performing across regions, recruiting temporary staff along the way.

Many who begin as workers practice secretly at night, hoping to join the stage. Some circuses also recruit gymnasts through ads at sports schools. Mastery of a skill takes at least three years, and no one can master everything. Globe-of-Death riders, tightrope walkers, animal trainers—each trains under seniors.

Salary is paid by the circus. Men and women are equally represented. What matters most is not physical talent, but genuine love of circus and the will to perform. However, the wandering lifestyle and communal living do not suit those who prefer stability.

Traveling Performer

Traveling performers roam the country showcasing skills, sustaining themselves through itinerant art. Types range from theatrical troupes to street entertainers. Known as “touring players,” they perform kabuki or drama in small theaters or public spaces, staying a month or two per location.

Members are often children or relatives of performers, plus supportive audiences’ children. Anyone motivated may join. Though disabled people cannot become performers, they can work backstage. A troupe leader once said: “With passion and perseverance, education doesn’t matter.”

Street Performer

Street performers show unique talents in public spaces, earning money from tips. After World War II, street acts like monkey shows, fortune sales, and folk songs thrived.

Recently, restrictions have grown, and many municipalities banned them. Yet in 2002, Tokyo introduced a licensing system—“Heaven’s Artists.” Certified performers may work in parks and stations, legally accepting tips. By then, 328 groups were registered, ranging from juggling and mime to Chinese acrobatics and South American music.

Training is usually through apprenticeship with professionals or street-performance schools. Few survive solely as performers; many combine with part-time jobs.

Theater Troupe Member

Members of theater troupes include actors, lighting, set, props, and ticket staff. Belonging to large companies like Shiki Theatre is a badge of identity. In Taishō and early Shōwa periods, troupe membership was a symbol of intellectual life.

By the 1960s, underground theater flourished as part of counterculture, and “troupe member” even became derogatory. Today, countless small troupes exist, but only a few are financially viable.

Many young people join to seek purpose in uncertain times. Joining requires effort, learning, and rehearsal, but most productions lack outside critique or financial stakes. Members often confuse temporary fulfillment with meaningful success. Joining is simple—sometimes just a phone call—but income is usually absent. The real risk is failing to acquire skills and networks necessary for survival in society.

Magician

Magicians perform tricks with cards, coins, ropes, and other props. Most apprentice under a master, beginning as assistants. There are about 300 professional magicians today, most affiliated with entertainment companies.

Some also perform at product promotions. Income varies greatly—top magicians can earn millions of yen per show. Only with a mentor’s permission can one perform mastered tricks. To succeed, magicians need dexterity, technical skill, and original creativity to develop new illusions.

Stage Actor

Stage actors are professionals paid for performances in theater or musicals. Unlike unpaid troupe members, stage actors belong to professional companies that generate revenue.

Japan has countless theater troupes, but few survive commercially. Companies seek investors, members, or municipal support. Entering a troupe that pays actors is difficult. The path usually requires study at training schools, audition success, and proving oneself on stage. True stage actors are defined by their ability to earn pay through performance.

Puppeteer

Puppeteers manipulate puppets—marionettes suspended by strings or hand puppets controlled from below. Japan’s classical art Bunraku uses two or three puppeteers per puppet.

Most start as apprentices in puppet troupes, paying training fees. Some puppeteers also design and craft puppets. Work is usually in troupe productions, but also includes TV puppet shows. Puppeteers often tour schools, where performances are popular with children.

Few can live on puppetry alone; many hold other jobs. Dexterity is important, but imagination and passion matter most.

Essay | Dancing, Until Life Fades Away

Murakami Ryū

The first time I met Ana Luiza was in Havana, in the winter of 1991. Ana was a dancer, choreographer, and teacher, affiliated with the Cuban National Folkloric Dance Company. In my film KYOKO, she served both as dance director for the choreography and as the heroine’s instructor.

From her, one could see every strength and every flaw of Cuban women. In class she was strict, she loved jokes, adored good food, was open in personality, refused to let others twist her intent, was strong-willed, spoiled, and impossible to defeat in arguments. It wasn’t that she always wanted to win—it was simply that she would never yield. The only way an argument could end was if the other side gave way. Yet as a dancer, Ana was an undisputed genius.

It is no exaggeration to say that nearly all Cubans are dancers, but Ana’s talent stood above the rest. When I met her, she had just passed forty, and though she had gained weight, when she danced mambo she bounced like a rubber ball, impossibly light, her weight invisible. Just watching her lifted my spirits, filling me with joy and hope.

Great dancers—Maya Plisetskaya, Rudolf Nureyev, Fred Astaire—seemed almost to break free of gravity, flying toward freedom. Watching such talent, I always thought of Peter Pan and the fairy Tinker Bell. The grace of a true dancer heals us, redeems us.

Ana Luiza suffered from asthma. In the early 1990s, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba entered a time of severe hardship. Without Soviet purchases of sugar at above-market prices, imports vanished. Fuel, food, and medicine were scarce. Each time I went to Cuba, Ana asked me to buy her inhalers. Sometimes she had attacks even during class, stopping to inhale, stabilizing her breath, and then—immediately—returning to dance.

Inhalers burden the heart. I warned her many times not to dance after using one, but she always shook her head, laughed, and said: “Better worry about your actresses’ dancing than mine.” And then she would jump back into the rhythm of mambo or cha-cha, movements so vigorous that I worried for her. Yet her lightness, her bouncing like a ball, always lifted me too, until I forgot my worry.

The heroine of KYOKO changed twice; finally, Takako Tokiwa took the role with superb acting and dance, completing the film in 1995. Ana taught throughout those years, often teasing me: “Hey Murakami, are you ever going to finish this film?”

In December that year, KYOKO screened at the Havana International Film Festival as a special invited film. I invited Ana to sit at the center, in the best seat. Afterward she hugged me and said: “I thought you’d never finish this movie, but you actually did.” Then she kissed my cheek.

When I asked her how the actress’s dancing was, she laughed and said: “Very Cuban.” I was delighted. She shook me, laughing, and said: “Do you even know who trained those actresses?”

In the summer of 1996, just as KYOKO premiered in Japan, I received a fax from Cuba: Ana Luiza had died of a heart attack. During class she had an asthma attack, used her inhaler, recovered briefly, then began to dance again—only to collapse once more. On the way to the hospital in an ambulance, her breathing stopped.

I was devastated. But hearing that she had collapsed while dancing gave me some comfort. She had always lived for dance. After wine and good food, her body would spontaneously sway in rhythm. As soon as the music began, her expression revealed her total immersion in dance.

Every time I saw her dance, I felt happiness. In my room I still keep over five hundred videotapes of Ana’s classes, though I have never watched them again. Instead, I close my eyes and remember her mambo and cha-cha, her light, graceful, and gentle steps. Then I sigh, realizing: yes, in this world, there truly are people who are born to live for dance.

Written in 2003

Adventurer • Explorer

When Japanese people think of “adventurer,” the first name to come to mind is Naomi Uemura. He was the first person in the world to climb the highest peaks on all five continents. He also succeeded in reaching the North Pole alone with a dog sled. Later he crossed Greenland and scaled Mount McKinley (Denali). But he perished on the return, never to come back.

An unmatched spirit of exploration and challenge defines this profession. “First of humanity,” “unprecedented achievement”—such acts attract sponsorship from corporations and media, yet most adventurers still struggle to fund their expeditions. Even Uemura lived frugally, selling his adventure journals.

Many adventurers begin by joining mountaineering or exploration clubs in university, training extensively and gaining experience. Their destinations may be the ocean floor, or even outer space. Unknown worlds still await.

Mountaineer

Some aspire to summit the world’s tallest peak. Others want to leave footprints on sheer cliffs, or simply climb as many mountains as possible.

In Japan, unlike abroad where systems for evaluating mountaineers exist, it is difficult to make climbing a profession. Most sustain themselves by signing consulting contracts with sporting-goods companies, or by teaching mountaineering. To be famous worldwide, constantly challenging new peaks under TV sponsorship, is extremely rare. Even publishing books seldom earns much.

Mountaineering has been called “a sport without spectators.” Climbers also struggle with solitude. Unless one truly loves it, pursuing it professionally demands profound mental readiness.

Mountain Rescue Worker

Rescue workers patrol dangerous mountains, saving stranded climbers, carrying the injured down, sometimes by helicopter. Across Japan, many volunteer rescue organizations exist, usually made of forestry or mountain-related workers.

To make it a profession, the clearest path is joining the police. In some prefectures, police form mountain rescue teams for hazardous ranges. Many young people also volunteer, training daily in terrain, weather, judgment, and physical strength. Above all, passion for saving lives is essential.

Some airlines also maintain departments equipped with helicopters for mountain rescue, offering another path.

Park Ranger

Park rangers, officially called National Park Administrators, work under the Ministry of the Environment at Japan’s eleven regional offices for national parks and wildlife. They guide and supervise developers, and conduct surveys and planning for environmental protection.

As national civil servants, they must pass the Personnel Agency’s exams. Currently, there are about 200 rangers. Assignments change every few years, from Hokkaidō in the north to Okinawa in the south—location is never known in advance. Deep commitment to nature and conservation is essential.

Porter

Porters carry supplies to mountain huts, transporting food and baggage over passes using special wooden-and-metal pack frames called haibago.

Rates average 400 yen per kilogram, though fees vary. Many are students in climbing clubs doing part-time work, or mountaineers in training. To make it formal work, one contracts directly with huts. Strong physique and good health are required.

Nature Guide

Nature guides lead tourists into Japan’s natural sites—mountains, seas, forests—helping them understand and experience the environment.

Names differ by region: in Yakushima they are called eco-guides. They hike with small groups, ensure safety, and explain ecology. Skills vary widely: some are beginners working at guesthouses, others experts who know every detail.

Certification systems are beginning to emerge. But the most important qualities are love of nature, deep local knowledge, and a desire to share it.

Outdoor Sports Instructor

Outdoor sports include climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, rafting, and more. Many organizations issue instructor qualifications, but there is no unified system.

Most instructors work for outdoor shops or tour companies, guiding visitors in experiences such as canoe trips, or serving as expedition leaders. Others work in sporting-goods manufacturing.

Currently popular are “nature experience instructors,” certified by the Council for Outdoor and Nature Experience (CONE). They teach camping, trekking, and wilderness travel in mountains, forests, rivers, and seas.

Ski Instructor • Ski Patrol

Ski instructors work at ski schools, often within resorts. Some are employed at hotels in tourist regions. Recently schools also teach sledding, cross-country skiing, and alpine skiing.

Staff may be full-time, also helping with resort operations, or part-time seasonal workers. But when the season ends, so does the job.

The largest qualification body is the Ski Association of Japan (SAJ). Another is the Ski Instructors Association (SIA). For example, SAJ requires candidates to be at least 20 for junior instructor, 23 for full instructor, and to have passed SAJ Level 1 technical exams. Ski patrol also requires first-aid certification and special SAJ training, usually with a president’s recommendation.

In practice, most instructors and patrollers farm or run inns, taking ski work only as a winter side job.

④ Thinking About Illness and Health

When seeing friends in poor condition, you cannot just sit by. When encountering people displaced or in hardship, your heart aches. And when you think of children in Africa and elsewhere suffering from hunger, you begin to wonder: what could I do to help?

Medical Staff

Medical staff work mainly on the health management of athletes, preventing accidents and injuries, and acting as a bridge between athletes, coaches, and doctors. Most are contracted to sports teams, though some are dedicated personal staff for top athletes, or dispatched from specialist agencies.

Because each sport and each body type requires different care, communication skills are as important as professional knowledge. Many come from sports universities or medical colleges, and hold qualifications such as physical therapist, acupuncturist, or judo osteopath.

Doctors specializing in sports injuries (sports physicians) often work in orthopedic clinics and maintain close ties with teams. Nutritionists also play a vital role, supporting athletes’ diets as part of the team.

Reflexologist

Reflexologists stimulate reflex zones on the soles of the feet through hand techniques to relieve stress, shoulder stiffness, poor circulation, or skin issues. In addition to massage, they also provide lifestyle advice, aiming at overall health management.

To become a reflexologist, one studies theory, anatomy, and nutrition, learning how organs correspond to zones on the foot. Jobs are often in beauty salons and spas, though many practitioners open their own clinics or offer home-call services. Work is usually billed by the hour, and income varies.

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers manage athletes’ health at the training site, focusing on injury prevention, emergency care, physical training, and rehabilitation support.

In the U.S. and elsewhere, this is a recognized profession; in Japan, it is increasingly present not only in professional teams and corporate clubs, but also in gyms for sports enthusiasts and rehab patients.

The Japan Sports Association certifies athletic trainers. Candidates must graduate from designated universities or colleges and pass certification exams. Many trainers also hold related qualifications (osteopath, acupuncturist, physical therapist), which strengthen their ability in rehabilitation.

Thalassotherapist

Thalassotherapy (from the Greek thalassa, meaning “sea”) began in 19th-century France and revived in the mid-20th century as a form of natural medicine. It uses seawater, coastal climate, algae, and sea mud to treat both body and mind.

Originally medical and rehabilitative, it is now applied to stress relief, beauty, weight loss, and athletic recovery. Training can be acquired at specialist schools or workshops, and most work in spas and wellness facilities.

Aromatherapist

Aromatherapy uses essential oils extracted from plants to improve conditions caused by stress and fatigue. Oils may be inhaled, diffused, or added to baths, or applied in massage to absorb through the skin.

Training is usually through certified schools, with qualifications granted by associations such as the Japan Aroma Environment Association, or international bodies like the IFA (International Federation of Aromatherapists) in the UK. Practitioners work in salons, clinics, or as independent therapists.

Yoga Instructor

Yoga, originally a spiritual discipline in ancient India, has evolved into modern “health yoga,” with stronger emphasis on physical exercise, especially under U.S. influence.

There is no single official certification, but many schools and organizations offer their own programs. Trainees study posture, breathing, anatomy, nutrition, and teaching methods. After certification, instructors may work at yoga studios, gyms, or cultural centers. Job postings often appear in health and fitness magazines.

Pilates Instructor

Pilates focuses on strengthening the body’s core, correcting posture and alignment with minimal strain. Unlike yoga, Pilates emphasizes movement with thoracic breathing and avoids meditation.

Instructor certification requires training at recognized Pilates schools, studying anatomy and physiology, and passing exams. Most instructors work in Pilates studios, gyms, or specialist academies.

Hot Stone Therapist

Hot stone therapy places heated basalt stones on the body to improve circulation and induce relaxation. It is said to work better than acupressure, and is popular among women seeking stress relief and beauty care.

Training is available at specialized schools, teaching both techniques and business management (how to open a salon, attract clients, etc.). Most practitioners are women, as strength is not heavily required.

Esthetician (Beauty Therapist)

Estheticians provide full-body beauty care other than hairdressing—skin care, hair removal, slimming, nails, makeup.

They tailor treatment to each client’s age, body type, and needs. Beyond technical skill, listening to clients’ troubles is part of the work. Training usually comes from vocational schools or correspondence courses.

Jobs are in beauty salons, spas, hotels, cosmetic companies, or fitness centers. Many also run independent salons. Japan does not yet have an official national esthetician license, but the Japan Esthetic Association provides recognized private certification. In Europe and the U.S., accredited programs and qualifications are more established.