Because they have yet to pass national legislation protecting the chiropractic profession, Japanese DCs are in a similar situation that U.S. DCs faced. We were fortunate enough to be able to pass chiropractic licensure state by state. The DCs in Japan must accomplish this nationally, which has proved to be an extremely difficult task. And in spite of their efforts, Japanese DCs are currently faced with two chiropractic professions.
What Can YOU Do?
There is one point that I would like to make to every chiropractor in the world. Being a member of a recent strategic planning meeting of the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) has made me more aware than ever of the necessity of all DCs to have a national voice. I'd like to urge all DCs in the world to belong to some national organization!
Of course, neither the ACA nor the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) do everything we like. But those of you who are not ICA or ACA members had better wake up and begin to realize all the benefits we've achieved are the result of national representation through the years.
This decade is going to be the most crucial in our history. Don't ask, "What can the ACA/ICA do for me?" Ask, "What can I do for the ICA/ACA?" For, having that national voice is indispensable to our very professional life! And this is true in every country.