The Role of Oriental Medicine in Repeated Natural Disasters

Abstract

In Japan, where natural disasters occur repeatedly, it plays an important role in future disaster-related health management to pass on not only knowledge of disaster situation but also response strategies to future generations. The symposium “The Role of Oriental Medicine in Repeated Natural Disasters” was held at the annual conference of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine on June 2, 2024, and included presentations on the following topics “The Role of Oriental Medicine in the Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake,” “The Role of Oriental Medicine in Repeated Natural Disasters, Great East Japan Earthquake and Kumamoto Earthquake,” “Acupuncture and Moxibustion Massage Support in the Kanto and Tohoku Heavy Rain Storms,” “Use of Kampo in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake,” and “Summary of the Society’s Response: In the Event of the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.” The speakers presented and discussed the role of Oriental medicine in repeated natural disasters. Support through Oriental medicine is one of the activities that can contribute to addressing social issues in disasters. This report summarizes the contents of the symposium.