THE INTRODUCTION OF THE JAPANESE HORTICULTURAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION

Horticultural therapy (HT) was introduced in Japan more than 20 years ago. Many training groups were formed and various welfare-related and medical care institutions have used HT. Universities and technical schools now offer HT courses. Several organizations have arisen to support this new profession at the national level and the prefecture level. Currently, at the national level, the Japanese Society of People-Plant Relationship focuses on promoting and facilitating multi-disciplinary research in people-plant relationships while the Japanese Horticultural Therapy Association manages the national qualification system for the professional horticultural therapist.