On October 28 and 29, 2025, the UH Mānoa College of Education (COE) Department of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Science (KRS) hosted a delegation from Nihon Isen Vocational School, a Japanese institution in Shinjuku, Japan, specializing in acupuncture and judo therapy.

“This visit supported KRS’s commitment to advancing culturally-responsive and client-centered approaches to healthcare education and aligned with the COE’s strategic goals of promoting international collaboration, academic partnership, and community engagement through global learning initiatives,” said KRS Professor Kaori Tamura.

The visiting group included two chaperones and eight students who were led through events coordinated by Tamura and supported by KRS faculty members, Yukiya Oba and Kyoko Shirahata, as well as program specialist, Da Houl.

The first day of the program included an observation of a gross anatomy laboratory session led by Oba at the John A. Burns School of Medicine. Because opportunities for gross anatomy education are highly restricted in Japan by regulatory and ethical limitations on cadaver-based study, this session provided the delegation with valuable insight into U.S. approaches to anatomical instruction, emphasizing professional respect, ethical practice, and scientific precision.

On the second day, the delegation took part in an athletic facility and athletic training room observation guided by Oba, followed by lectures from Shirahata, who presented on athletic training emergency care, and Tamura who discussed scientific evidence on fascial anatomy and its potential connection to acupuncture and manual therapies.

“This academic exchange fostered meaningful dialogue on integrating traditional Japanese healthcare practices with contemporary sports medicine and rehabilitation science, strengthening mutual understanding and advancing culturally informed health education practices across international contexts,” Tamura said.