Acupuncture and Physical Therapy
Teacher Training School,University of Tsukuba

1. A Unique Mission to Support the Visually Impaired

Our institution is the sole provider of teacher training for Japanese acupuncture and physical therapy (Riryo) instructors under the Education Personnel Certification Act and the Ordinance for the Enforcement of the Education Personnel Certification Act.

We specialize in career curriculum education at Special Needs Education Schools for the Visually Impaired.

This is the only school dedicated to training teachers in Japanese acupuncture and physical therapy. Approximately 90% of our students are visually impaired, and nearly all graduate to become teachers.

Since they will work at special needs education schools for the visually impaired across Japan, our curriculum forms the foundation for Riryo education nationwide.

2. The Purpose of Establishing the University of Tsukuba

Rules concerning the organization and operation of the National University Corporation, University of Tsukuba (Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Teacher Training School)

Article 73

A physical therapy teacher training facility shall be established at the University of Tsukuba as a facility for training teachers who will be in charge of physical therapy at special needs schools (for the visually impaired) and for promoting research on physical therapy.

3. A Brief History of the Special Needs Education School for the Visually Impaired

• May 1875: Rakuzenkai founded as a philanthropic society.
• December 1876: Educational Institution for the Blind established.
• February 1880: Two children enrolled, classes began.
• May 1884: Renamed to include Deaf students.
• November 1885: Came under Ministry of Education.
• October 1887: Renamed Tokyo Blind and Deaf School.

4. A Brief History of the Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Teacher Training School

• March 1903: Teacher training course founded.
• May 1949: Became National Education School for the Blind.
• April 1950: Affiliated with Tokyo University of Education.
• April 2004: Renamed under University of Tsukuba.

5. Occupations for the Visually Impaired

54.8% of job seekers with visual impairments engage in professional/technical work (mostly physical therapy).

73.7% of severely visually impaired are in the same field (Hello Work data).

15.1% of university/junior college graduates shifted to acupuncture fields (1988–1995, Tsukuba University data).

Acupuncture is a particularly suitable career path for the visually impaired.

6. Relationship between the University of Tsukuba and the School for the Blind

Students from 62 schools for the blind across Japan come to our facility, and many go on to serve those same schools. They also advance to fields like Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Disability Science within the university.

7. Admission to and Advancement from the University of Tsukuba

Graduates of schools for the blind enroll with acupuncture licenses and study for two years. Afterward, they acquire teaching licenses and begin work.

• 152 out of 197 employed at schools for the blind.
• 12 go on to higher education.
• 7 work in treatment centers.
• 6 become teachers at technical schools.

8. Post-War History and Scientific Legitimization

After World War II, the General Headquarters of the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers (GHQ) regarded acupuncture as unscientific and issued a ban on acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and related practices in Japan.

In response, Dr. Katsusuke Serizawa, the first director of our institution, pioneered scientific research in acupuncture. He became the first acupuncturist to earn a doctoral degree, and his work established academic legitimacy and helped preserve the tradition of acupuncture in Japan.

9. Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Teacher Training at the University of Tsukuba: A Diverse Student Journey

Our students vary widely in age, background, and visual acuity. Many come from specialized courses at schools for the blind. In the past 9 years, 17 entered master’s programs and 6 entered doctoral programs.

10. Graduate School Students from the University of Tsukuba Physical Therapy Teacher Training Institute

• 2017: 1 blind, 1 sighted (master's)
• 2019: 1 blind (master's), 1 sighted (doctoral)
• 2020: 2 low vision, 1 sighted (master's)
• 2021: 1 low vision (master's), 1 blind (doctoral)
• 2022: 1 low vision (master's)
• 2023: 1 blind, 3 low vision (master's), 1 blind (doctoral)
• 2024: 2 blind, 1 low vision (master's)
• 2025: 2 blind (master's), 2 blind (master's), 2 sighted (1 enrolled, 1 admitted),

11. Olympic and Paralympic Medalists from the University of Tsukuba

• 41 Gold Medals: 25 Olympic, 16 Paralympic
• 44 Silver Medals: 20 Olympic, 24 Paralympic
• 48 Bronze Medals: 22 Olympic, 26 Paralympic

The majority of Paralympic medalists are from our facility and the School for the Blind.

12. Players Circled by Red Lines are from This Facility

Players circled by red lines are from this facility.

13. Players Surrounded by Yellow Lines are from the University of Tsukuba School for the Blind

Players surrounded by yellow lines are from the University of Tsukuba School for the Blind.

14. Red and Yellow Line Athlete Summary

Players circled by red lines are from this facility. Players surrounded by yellow lines are from the University of Tsukuba School for the Blind.

15. Career Opportunities for the Visually Impaired

The Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Teacher Training School at the University of Tsukuba offers a variety of career paths for the visually impaired.