The Japan Dietetic Association

The Japan Dietetic Association

Outline of the Japan Dietetic Association

The Japan Dietetic Association (JDA) was founded in 1926 for the purpose of preventing the spread of beriberi, a typical nutrition-related disease that had existed in Japan for a long time.
Thereafter, the JDA has contributed significantly to maintaining the nation's health through various activities designed to improve nutrition. Since 1959, the JDA has been affiliated with the International Dietetics Association.
In 2015, the JDA had about 50,566 members who were either registered dietitians or dietitians licensed by the National Government.

English name The Japan Dietetic Association
President Teiji Nakamura
Address MCV building, 6th floor, 5-13-5 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan Access
Legal foundation May 21st 1945: Establishment of the Dainippon Eiyoshikai (forerunner of the Japan Dietetic Association)
November 13th 1959: Approval of the Japan Dietetic Association by the Ministry of Health and Welfare
July 23rd 2012: Certification of the Japan Dietetic Association as a public-interest association by the Prime Minister of Japan
Tel
Fax
03-5425-6555
03-5425-6554
URL https://www.dietitian.or.jp
Number of
members
49,027(at the end of March 2024)

Professional Development

The Japan Dietetic Association provides a lifelong, continuous education system which improves the ability of registered dietitians and dietitians. It is also committed to fostering specialists with advanced skills.

Professional career development through basic and advanced education
The lifelong continuous education system is divided into basic and advanced education divisions. The basic education division aims at helping participants to master the essential skills in the professional fields of health, medical care, welfare and education, while the advanced education division provides courses designed to give the participants higher levels of expertise. Overall, the professional development system guarantees the professionalism of registered dietitians and dietitians by providing support throughout their careers.

The issuing of certifications in the certification system for registered dietitians and dietitians in specific areas
The certification system is based on credits gained and skill achievements. Starting from 2016, the Japan Dietetic Association has been in charge of the assessment and the provision of certifications for qualified members. These certifications include those related to clinical nutrition, school nutrition, health/sports nutrition, school lunch management, public health nutrition, community nutrition, and welfare for the elderly/handicapped and children. Extended education certifications are also provided in four additional practical activity areas in association with related organizations.

Special Certifications for Registered Dietitians and Dietitians

1.Registered Dietitians in Charge of Specialized Health Guidance

These registered dietitians aim at providing high quality guidance through strong leadership to rectify lifestyles

2.Registered Dietitians for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (TNT-D)

These registered dietitians apply acquired practical skills to overall nutritional management, including enteral nutrition management and intravenous nutrition management in the field of medical care.

3.Home-visiting Registered Dietitians

These registered dietitians cooperate with other occupations related to home care and provide home-care nutritional diet guidance and support related to diseases, medical conditions and the nutritional state.

4.Certified Sports Dietitians

Registered dietitians certified as Sports Nutritionists provide support for competitors by providing nutrition education to enhance the self-management skills related to diet and also to improve the food environment.

5.Registered Dietitians and Dietitians for Food Allergy

These registered dietitians and dietitians have the correct knowledge of food allergies and can provide safe food and support with risk management considerations.

A Projet Promoting Professional Development as Certified Specialists for Registered Dietitians

Commissioned by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, in 2013 the Japan Dietetic Association began a project promoting Professional Development as Certified Specialists for Registered Dietitians. Currently, it provides support for professional dietitians working in the fields of cancer and kidney disease, issuing certifications in collaboration with the Japan Society of Metabolism and Clinical Nutrition. Starting in 2016, the field of Dysphagia Rehabilitation was added as a new elective study field.

1.Certified Specialist of Registered Dietitian for Cancers (CSRDC)

These experts deliver proper nutrition and diet therapy for cancer patients using advanced expertise, highly-developed skills and clinical experience based on the progress of the cancer treatment and contribute to the medical care and welfare of cancer patients by cooperating with the families concerned, the local community, as well as medical, long-term care and healthcare facilities.

2.Certified Specialist of Registered Dietitian for Kidney Diseases (CSRDK)

These registered dietitians have professional skills and clinical experience in the pathology and nutrition related to kidney diseases.

3.Certified Specialist of Registered Dietitian for Diabetes (CSRDD)

These registered dietitians have professional skills and clinical experience in the pathology and nutrition related to diabetes.

4.Certified Specialist of Registered Dietitian for Dysphagia Rehabilitation

These experts provide proper nutrition and diet therapy for dysphagia patients through advanced expertise, skills and clinical experience, and they also contribute to the medical care and welfare of dysphagia patients by cooperating with the families concerned, as well as the community, medical, long-term care and healthcare facilities.

5.Certified Specialist of Registered Dietitian for Home Care Nutrition

These registered dietitians can support QOL through home care nutrition management based on the living conditions of patients treated at home with nutritional problems, and can build a nutritional management system needed to collaborate with other (multiple) professions in the community involved in home nutrition management.

Nutrition Care Stations

Overview of the Nutrition Care Stations

Nutrition Care Stations are community-based hubs providing nutrition care.
Including the nutrition care stations of the Prefectural Dietetic Association, 356 stations care stations were established across the country by the Prefectural Dietetic Association (as of April 1,2021). They provide day-to-day nutritional consultations, specific health guidance, seminars and lecturers, and cooking classes, not only for local residents, but also the local governments, health insurance unions, private companies, as well as medical institutions and pharmacies.
※ The term "nutrition care station" is a registered trademark of the Japan Dietetic Association.

Introduction of Nutrition Care Services

  • Consultations on nutrition
  • Specific health guidance
  • Seminars / the dispatch of lecturers
  • Nutritional guidance in sports
  • Cooking classes
  • Nutritional diet guidance in cooperation with medical institutions such as hospitals and clinics
  • (nutrition diet guidance for hospitalization, nutrition diet guidance when visiting home-care patients, etc.)

The Japan Dietetic Association – Disaster Assistance Team(JDA-DAT)

The Japan Dietetic Association-Disaster Assistance Team was established after the "2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami" hit the northeastern coast of Japan on March 11, 2011 in order to provide prompt support for activities related to nutrition and diet when a large-scale natural disaster occurs.

List of activities for disaster assistance

Support activities for the Torrential rain in July 2018

The Japan Dietetic Association assisted with the following activities after the torrential rain in July, 2018.

Date Activities conducted by the Japan Dietetic Association
July 9th 2018 Set up the disaster response headquarters of the Japan Dietetic Association at 9:00.
Request for confirmation and report about the situation of disaster.
Coordinate with Okayama Prefecture Dietitian Association, Hiroshima Prefecture Dietitian Association and Ehime Prefecture Dietitian Association to set up a Special Nutritional Foods Stations.
Supporting member companies and others offered to provide relief supplies. (July 9: 1 company, July 10: 6 companies, July 11: 1 company)
The President of the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology requested cooperation in dealing with food allergy patients. (Distribution of food with food allergy)
JDA-DAT "Toas" (disaster relief medical emergency vehicle) is transported to the disaster area.
Installation of a Special Nutritional Foods Station at the Okayama Prefecture Dietitian Association (Location: Okayama Prefecture Dietitian Association, Kurashiki Sakuyo University)
Okayama Prefecture JDA-DAT begins assessing the situation at shelters.
July 10th 2018 Arrangement and delivery of special nutritional food products started.
<The special nutritional foods>
・Nutritional supplements (dietary fiber, vitamins, etc.)
・Soft food for the elderly
・Vegetable juice, etc.
July 11th 2018 Issued a letter to all supporting members requesting them to prepare for cooperation.
Set up a Special Nutritional Food Station for the Hiroshima Dietitian Association.
The Ministry of Defense "Hakuo" approached us about cooperating with the hotel ship.
July 12th 2018 Set up a Special Nutritional Food Station for the Ehime Dietitian Association.
The Ministry of Defense requested the cooperation of the hotel ship. (Nutritional assessment and guidance on food choices for food allergy patients, etc.)
July 13th 2018 Attendance at the Liaison Conference on Health Support for Disaster Victims
Conducted a web conference with the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology to report on the current activities of the Japan Dietetic Association. (Special Nutritional Food Stations have been set up in three prefectures)
July 14th 2018 Held the second meeting of the Disaster Response Headquarters.
<Agenda>
・Support activities in Ehime Prefecture
・Dispatch of JDA-DAT by counterpart (All Shikoku Dietitians Association)
・Meal support for the Ministry of Defense "Hakuo”
・JDA-DAT dispatched by Hyogo Dietitian Association and Osaka Dietitian Association.
July 15th 2018 Request for mobilization to JDA-DAT leaders in Kochi, Tokushima and Kagawa prefectures.
July 17th 2018 Kochi JDA-DAT is dispatched.
July 20th 2018 Tokushima JDA-DAT is dispatched.
July 31th 2018 Discussion on the support of the Ministry of Defence "Hakuo".
August 3rd 2018 Ministry of Defense "Hakuo" food support started by Osaka Dietitian Association JDA-DAT.

Support activities related to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

The Japan Dietetic Association assisted with the following activities after the earthquake occurred on the 14th of April, 2016.

Date Activities conducted by the Japan Dietetic Association
April 14th 2016 The foreshock of the Kumamoto earthquake struck at 21:26.
April 15th 2016 The Kumamoto Dietetic Association set up a disaster response headquarters for the Kumamoto earthquake.
April 16th 2016 The main shock of the Kumamoto earthquake struck at 1:25
Set up the disaster response headquarters of the Japan Dietetic Association.
April 17th 2016 A preliminary on-site investigation was held by the JDA-DAT team of the Kagoshima Dietetic Association.
April 18th 2016 A request for nutrition supplement support was sumitted to the Kumamoto Prefectural Government office and delivery of goods was initiated by members of the JDA.
Requests were sent throughout the country for the dispatch of members of the Dietetic Association's JDA-DAT teams.
The Kawamura, JDA-DAT's Mobile Dietetics Station, departed from Osaka Port on its way to Kagoshima Shibushi Port,
and commenced activities the next day in Kumamoto.
April 19th 2016 The main JDA-DAT team arrived on-site and started activities (including volunteers).
JDA members attended a joint coordination meeting held at the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office to discuss the healthcare system required within the disaster area.
April 20th 2016 Construction of a "Counterpart method" system
  • The Kumamoto Dietetic Association: for Kumamoto-shi
  • The Fukuoka Dietetic Association: for Kikuchi
  • The Saga & Nagasaki Dietetic Associations: for Mifune
  • The Kagoshima Dietetic Association: for Uki
  • The Miyazaki Dietetic Association: for Aso
April 21st 2016 Set up a “JDA Special Nutritional Foods Station” within the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office
Started cooperation with the Japanese Society of Pediatric Allergy and Clinical Immunology for disaster victims
April 22nd 2016 Started support for the Ministry of Defense's Hakuou (Hotel Ship) for disaster victims.
April 28th 2016 Set up a Special Nutritional Satellite Station in Aso.
April 29th 2016 Set up a Special Nutritional Satellite Station in Mifune.
May 7th 2016 Completed the task of sending JDA-DAT team members from outside the Kyushu area.
May 27th 2016 Completed the task of sending JDA-DAT team members from the Kyushu area.
May 29th 2016 Completed the support task for the Hakuou.
Total number of 153 volunteers, JDA-DAT
June 30th 2016 Completed the support task conducted by the Kumamoto Dietetic Association-Disaster Assistance Team
(JDA-DAT Kumamoto) Total number of 1,010 volunteers, JDA-DAT
July 14th 2016 JDA members visited the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office to exchange courtesies on withdrawal, and to discuss next step support activities.
The Kawamura, JDA-DAT's Mobile Dietetics Station, completed it's task.

Support activities for the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami

The Japan Dietetic Association assisted with the following activities after the earthquake occurred on the 11th of March, 2011.

Date Activities of the Japan Dietetic Association
March 13th 2011 An emergency disaster response meeting was held in Kyoto, at the Doshisha Women's College of Liberal Arts.
March 15th 2011 Set up the disaster response headquarters of the Japan Dietetic Association.
March 26th 2011 【Collaboration with other organizations】
A preliminary investigation was held with the cooperation of the Japan Primary Care Association Society (Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture).
【Sending volunteers, delivery of goods】
Sent registered dietitians for disaster management and assistance and volunteers (starting from Kesennuma as a base)
April 5th 2011 【Sending volunteers, delivery of goods】
Started delivery of supplies to the disaster areas with the cooperation of the supporting members.
【Collaboration with other organizations】
Cooperation with the National Institute of Health and Nutrition, print and distribute leaflets and manuals about nutrition and diet at shelters for support after the disaster
April 12th 2011 【Sending volunteers, delivery of goods】
Sent registered dietitians for disaster management and assistance and volunteers. (Using Ishimaki as a base)
May 13rh 2011 【Sending volunteers, delivery of goods】
Sent registered dietitians for disaster management and assistance and volunteers. (Using Tono as a base)
【Establishment and training of JDA-DAT】
Began to prepare the Japan Dietetic Association's Disaster Assistance Teams
June 2011 【Activities of the Victims Health Support Council(*)】
The demands and proposals related to health support of the victims were submitted to the government by the Victims Health Support Council.
June 16th 2011 【Sending volunteers, Delivery of goods】
Completed the task of sending registered dietitians disaster for disaster management and assistance and volunteers. (Using Ishimaki as a base )
July 2nd 2011 【Sending volunteers, Delivery of goods】
Completed the task of sending registered dietitians disaster for disaster management and assistance and volunteers. (starting from Kisennuma as a base )
July 15th 2011 Opened a nutrition care station in Kesennuma, Miyagi prefecture.
July 16th to 18th 2011 【Activities of the Victims Health Support Council(*)】
Visits to the disaster area.
August 31st 2011 【Sending volunteers, Delivery of goods】
Completed the task of sending registered dietitians for disaster management and assistance and volunteers. (starting from Tono as a base)
November 2011 Held a nutrition seminar for the mind and body aimed at temporary housing residents as part of an assistance project in Iwate prefecture.
January 2012 【Establishment and training of JDA-DAT】
Established the Japan Dietetic Association-Disaster Assistance Team (JDA-DAT)
February 18th to 19th 2012 【Establishment and training of JDA-DAT】
The first JDA-DAT leader training session was held. (106 leaders)
March 16th to 18th 2012 【Activities of the Victims Health Support Council(*)】
Visits to the disaster area.
  • The Victims Health Support Council was formed by the Japan Medical Association, Japan Dental Association, the Japan Pharmaceutical Association, the Japan Nursing Association, the Association of Japan Medical Colleges, the Japan Hospital Association, the Japan Hospital Association, and the Japan Dietetic Association in order to study related issues and provide health support to the disaster victims

Support activities after the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami

After the 2011 Tōhoku Earthquake and Tsunami, we have performed the following activities.

Date/Place Disaster type /Activities of the Japan Dietetic Association and JDA-DAT
August 20th 2014
Hiroshima, Hiroshima city

Torrential rain

  • Assessed the conditions and notified the Hiroshima Dietetic Association.
  • Shared information with the JDA-DAT Management Committee and the JDA-DAT was put on "stand-by".
November 22nd 2014
North of Nagano

Earthquake(M6.7)
Assessed the conditions and notified the chairman of the Dietetic Association in Nagano prefecture JDA-DAT.

  • JDA-DAT leaders visited the affected site, then started collecting information for one week after which the JDA-DAT began support activities.
  • Confirmed the need for support to the Dietetic Association in Nagano.
February 6th 2015
South of Tokushima

Earthquake(M5.0)

  • Assessed the conditions and notified the Dietetic Association in Tokushima prefecture
  • Reported information to JDA-DAT leaders.
April 5th 2015
Suburb of Kathmandu, Nepal

Earthquake(M7.8)

  • The top three executives assessed the situation.
  • The situation was examined by the extraordinary executive committee.
  • Made the decision to offer a donation.
May 13rh 2015
Iwate(The epicenter was the coast of Miyagi)

Earthquake(M6.6)

  • Assessed the conditions and notified the Dietetic Association in Iwate prefecture.
May 25th 2015
Ibaraki(The epicenter was north of Saitama)

Earthquake(M5.6)

  • Confirmed the situation and notified the chairman of the Dietetic Association in Ibaraki prefecture.
May 29th 2015
Kuchinoerabu island, Kagoshima

Eruption

  • Confirmed the situation and notified the Dietetic Association in Kagoshima. Received a report from JDA-DAT leaders in Kagoshima.
  • Sent two leaders of JDA-DAT to Kagoshima to assess the site of the shelters.
  • Asked the chairman of the Dietetic Association in Kagoshima to contact the Dietetic Association in Yakushima town.
  • Support headquarters for the disaster victims were established in Kuchinoerabujima, Kagoshima.
May 30th
Ogasawara village, Tokyo / Ninomiyamachi, Kanagawa (The epicenter was off the west coast of the Ogasawara islands)

Earthquake(M8.5)

  • Assessed the situation and notified the chairman of the Dietetic Association in Tokyo.
June 4th 2015
South of Kushiro, Hokkaido

Earthquake(M5.0)

  • Assessed the situation and notified the Dietetic Association in Hokkaido.
September 9th 2015
Joso city, Ibaraki

Torrential rain

  • Sent the JDA-DAT to the disaster area and set up a food station at the Mikkaido gym.
  • Conducted support activities under the Ibaraki Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Prevention Section.

Contact

Address: MCV building, 6th floor, 5-13-5 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan
Tel: 03-5425-6555