World Physiotherapy has learned of the death of Isao Nara, former board member of World Physiotherapy, and former president of the Japanese Physical Therapy Association (JPTA).
Isao Nara was the first Japanese physiotherapist to study in the USA, and the first Japanese physiotherapist to become a professor by obtaining a PhD.
Through his role as chair, and in bringing the WCPT congress to Yokohama in 1999, he introduced Japanese physiotherapy to the international community, and encouraged Japanese physiotherapists to present and share their work at international congresses.
As president of JPTA for 16 years, he encouraged a system of continuous education for members, and activities to upgrade the standard of physiotherapy. He was instrumental in establishing the first doctoral level advanced degree in physical therapy in Japan, at Hiroshima University.
He was a member of the WCPT executive committee for eight years, from 1995 to 2003. He served as vice president of the World Physiotherapy Asia Western Pacific region for four years.
At the time of the WCPT congress and general meeting in 2007 in Vancouver, Canada, he was presented with a World Physiotherapy International Service to the Profession award in recognition of his exceptional contribution to the profession.
He has left a significant mark on the development and advancement of physiotherapy, not only in Japan but also on the international stage. He actively promoted exchanges with international academic and professional organisations, and strongly emphasised the importance of disseminating the standards and research results of Japanese physiotherapy to the international community, as well as developing human resources with an international perspective.
World Physiotherapy president Michel Landry said: 'Dr Isao Nara has left an indelible mark on physiotherapy, not just in Japan, but across the Asia West Pacific region and indeed the entire world. As I reflect on Dr Nara's contributions, I am reminded of what Sir Isaac Newton wrote in 1675: "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." The global physiotherapy community stands on the shoulder of legends like the late Isao Nara, and we are better because of him.'
