Kan-Min Kogaku Column #28: Toward a City Where People Are Cared For and Care for Others: A Form of Nursing Only Possible in Kawasaki
The Kawasaki City Nursing Association celebrated its 30th anniversary this year. Among nursing associations organized at the national and prefectural levels, Kawasaki is the only one in Japan organized at the city level. We have continued our efforts to connect nursing professionals at the community level and support the health and well-being of our citizens through the power of nursing.
At the general meeting in June, an incident occurred that prompted us to reflect anew on these past 30 years. In my opening remarks, I introduced the association by saying, “We are the only city-level nursing association in the country, and this year marks our 30th anniversary.” When the guest of honor—the president of the Kawasaki City Medical Association—took the floor, he remarked, “It’s been 30 years, and there’s still only one?” “Uh… you’re right!” He was expressing surprise that other regions do not have city-level nursing associations.
Until now, we have explained “why a city-level nursing association was established in Kawasaki.” However, when we reframe the question to ask, “Why is it important for nurses to connect at the community level?” a new role comes into view. In an era of a declining birthrate and an aging population, it is difficult for nurses alone to meet the ever-increasing demand for care. Government, healthcare and long-term care providers, citizens, and the fields of science and engineering—we need to rebuild the very system itself so that these groups connect and collaborate within their local communities to support care.
We are participating in “Project CHANGE” and advancing initiatives that link challenges in nursing practice with the power of science and engineering. Furthermore, through “care education” for elementary, junior high, and high school students—who will shape the future—we are working to build communities where every citizen possesses the knowledge to care for themselves, their families, and those close to them.
How can we apply the experience we have cultivated in Kawasaki over the past 30 years to the future of community care? Together with our citizens, we want to create a new model of care—one that is only possible in Kawasaki.
And we hope that, as these achievements become best practices, the day will come when we can no longer say this is “the only one of its kind in the country.”
Chairperson, Kawasaki Nursing Association
Akie Hotta
