No.4138
The Judo Therapy, Acupuncture & Moxibustion, and Massage Therapy Market in Japan: Key Research Findings 2026
The Market for Judo Therapy, Acupuncture & Moxibustion, and Massage Therapy Was Estimated to Reach 1,007 Trillion Yen in 2025, Marking a 1.1% Growth
Yano Research Institute (the President, Takashi Mizukoshi) conducted a survey of the Judo therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion, and massage therapy market in Japan. The survey revealed the market size and trends, trends among market players, and future market outlook.
Market Overview
Treatments offered at clinics specializing in judo therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion, and massage therapy are provided by practitioners with national certifications. This differs from osteopathic and chiropractic treatments as well as treatments at orthopedic clinics, where practitioners of these treatments have private-sector certifications.
Based on sales of businesses, the market size for judo therapy, acupuncture and moxibustion, and massage therapy reached 1.007 trillion yen in 2025, marking a 1.1% increase from the previous fiscal year. This growth was driven by an increase in the elderly population, who make up the main patient base for these therapies. Additionally, the shift toward offering more out-of-pocket treatments at clinics providing these therapies also helped drive the market.
Noteworthy Topics
In Japan, the judo therapy, acupuncture & moxibustion, and massage therapy market is experiencing severer competition due to an increase in clinics providing these therapies. Additionally, the competition to attract patients has expanded to include the peripheral areas, i.e., salons with private-sector certificates and orthopedics. If these clinics continue to provide the same services using the same methods, it is highly likely that they will all end up failing.
Clinics providing these therapies must address the following challenges: 1) Decreased patients due to fiercer competition among similar and peripheral businesses, 2) Securing personnel by improving working environments and fostering talent through standardized education; and 3) Coping with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s 2026 revision of the “Ahaki” medical care fees (*1). "Ahaki" refers to massage therapy, acupuncture, and moxibustion.
*1) Source: The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s website, “Revisions to Medical Expenses Related to Treatments Provided by Acupuncturists, Moxibustion Practitioners, and Anma, Massage, and Shiatsu Therapists as well as Other Matters:
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/iryouhoken/iryouhoken13/01-02.html (Japanese).
Research Outline
2.Research Object： Clinics that provide Judo therapies, acupuncture and moxibustion, and/or massage therapy
3.Research Methogology： Face-to-face interviews (including online interviews) by expert researchers, interviews through telephone, mailed questionnaires, and literature research
The Market for Judo Therapy, Acupuncture and Moxibustion, and Massage Therapy
Judo therapy is a quasi-medical treatment (service) practiced by licensed Judo therapists who have obtained national certification. Acupuncture and moxibustion are also quasi-medical treatments (services) practiced by licensed acupuncturists or moxibustion practitioners with national certification. In this research, massage therapy refers to shiatsu massage therapy, a quasi-medical treatment (service) practiced by licensed shiatsu massage therapists with national certification.
This research focuses on the market of these quasi-medical therapies, treatments, and services as practiced by licensed therapists with national certification, rather than private-sector certification. Market size is calculated based on sales of businesses.
＜Products and Services in the Market＞
Judo Therapies, Acupuncture & Moxibustion, and Massage Therapies
Published Report
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