1.Prospectus for the establishment of the Japan Nursing Ethics Association
Nursing care relates to human life and death, and also affects a nurse’s way of living. Nurses must interact with those who receive nursing care, and efficient care in nursing cannot be accomplished without ethical reasoning.
However, it is extremely difficult to find a universally accepted solution to ethical dilemmas in nursing as every individual has a different cultural, religious, and educational background and has their own set of values. Such diversity has led to profound examination and discussions on ethics and ethical challenges. Given the changing environment, the evolution of science and information technology, and increasing operational constraints, these challenges will continue to arise in the future.
Against this background, we have established the Japan Nursing Ethics Association to systematically build knowledge of nursing ethics.
Nursing ethics are already being discussed in clinical settings. Further, ethics are being taught in educational settings and being examined in research settings. At various academic societies, there have been several presentations focusing on the ethical challenges of nursing. Notably, interest in nursing ethics has continued uninterrupted over time. However, a systematic study of the subject has not always been pursued. We have also begun to see the challenges of academic inquiry, including issues of research methodologies in nursing ethics. Now that the readiness to systematize the diverse knowledge of nursing ethics is in place based on the extant studies, we believe presenting the results of our scholarly exploration and deepening the advancement of nursing ethics by establishing an academic society are important.
Nursing ethics affects the quality of nursing care itself. Therefore, it is essential to accumulate knowledge of nursing ethics suited to Japanese culture to ensure the quality of nursing care. With an increase in our accumulated knowledge, nursing professionals will share common language and insight into nursing ethics. This involves clarifying our role in society as professionals who care for human beings and identifying how we can better fulfill that role. We believe this is the social mission of the nursing profession.
We hope that you understand the role and mission of this society and support us in establishing it.
February 13, 2008
Founder (in alphabetical order)
Kazumi Hoshi, Yumiko Katsuhara, Emiko Konishi, Toku Ishii, Shigeko Izumi, Yuka Ozasa, Sanae Takata, Keiko Tamura, Akiko Williamson
2.Greetings from the JNEA Chairperson
I am Michiko Yahiro, and I have been appointed as Chairperson of the Japan Nursing Ethics Association (JNEA) for the fourth term of incorporation. During my two-year term, I hope to do all I can to foster nursing ethics for nursing practice. In 2027, we will celebrate our 20th anniversary. At this pivotal moment, I feel a sense of responsibility and determination to fulfill the significant role entrusted to me. I really look forward to your continued support.
Currently, more than 750 members of the Society are engaged in the practice and exploration of nursing ethics daily from their respective perspectives in clinical practice, education, and research. By revisiting the prospectus for the establishment of the JNEA as outlined by our founders in February 2008, I have once again recognized that ethics were already being discussed in nursing practice, ethics education was being conducted in educational settings, research ethics were being established in research environments, and numerous presentations focusing on ethical phenomena were being made at various academic conferences in nursing. Nevertheless, many nurses have joined this Society with the aim of systematically constructing, deepening, articulating, and disseminating nursing ethics knowledge tailored to Japanese culture. This reflects a strong interest in nursing ethics and a passionate desire for dialogue and connection. Article 3 of the JNEA’s bylaws states that the Society’s objectives are to “systematize knowledge of nursing ethics,” “promote exchange among practitioners, researchers, educators, and others,” and “make proposals regarding nursing ethics.” As Chairperson, I will keep the ideals stated in the prospectus and the objectives of the bylaws firmly in mind and work together with everyone to advance our Society’s activities while listening to your voices.
Regarding specific activities, during the fourth term of the corporation, we aim to build upon the many initiatives carried out under the previous Chairperson, Dr. Maeda Jukai, while further enhancing exchange activities centered around committees, support for human resource development, promotion of research activities, and collaboration with domestic and international entities. During the third term, previous Chairperson and other members of the board of directors implemented several initiatives to enable more individuals to contribute to the development of nursing ethics knowledge, including revisions to membership fee regulations, the establishment of independent categories for ‘Practical Report’ and ‘Case Report’ in the Society’s Journal, the creation of a research grant system, the establishment of a Research Ethics Committee (Society IRB), and the development of an abstract database. Additionally, we resumed in-person training sessions and launched e-learning programs to disseminate knowledge. I will continue to nurture the various initiatives that have been initiated.
Furthermore, this term, I would like to focus on two things: enriching opportunities for dialogue and reviewing the 20-year history of our Society.
It is said that ethics can only be effectively applied in practice through dialogue between the parties involved. I believe that expanding opportunities for interactive platforms will enable us to meet the needs of our members, and that this will also allow us to consider revising and improving ethical education and teaching materials for the next generation.
The second initiative, reviewing the society’s history, is still in the planning stages. If possible, I want to collaborate with colleagues to organize the JNEA’s history and add it to the “History (Overview)” section of the website, documenting the activities the society has undertaken since its establishment. I anticipate that this will serve as an important reference for collectively considering the direction the JNEA should take in the future.
I hope that the JNEA will continue to be a place where diverse perspectives are nurtured and people from beyond the boundaries of the Society can gather, learn, think, and discuss together. I ask for your continued support.
July 2025
The Japan Nursing Ethics Association
New Chairperson
Michiko Yahiro
3.History
| June 15, 2008 | The establishment of the Japan Nursing Ethics Association was approved at the General Assembly for the establishment (Chairperson: Sanae Takata, 12 directors and auditors, 63 councilors) |
|---|---|
| ditto | First Annual Conference Held at Hyogo Nursing Association Harmony Hall in Kobe Theme: “Tapestry of Nursing Ethics–Opening the Possibilities of Nursing Ethics” # Annual conferences have been held annually since then. |
| November 10, 2008 | Published the first volume of the Journal of the Japan Nursing Ethics Association # The Journal of the Japanese Society of Nursing Ethics was published annually thereafter (for details, see “Journal of the Japan Nursing Ethics Association”). |
| June 8, 2019 | Council and General Assembly approved the beginning of preparations to incorporate the Society |
| December 2019 – February 2020 | Presentation to members of the proposed articles of incorporation and rules and regulations for incorporation and solicitation of comments. Disclosure of responses to comments received and implementation of necessary revisions. |
| April 1, 2020 | Registration of the Japan Nursing Ethics Association as a general incorporated association in preparation for transition from a voluntary association to a general incorporated association (however, the activities of the voluntary association to continue until the transition is approved at the general meeting) |
| June 28, 2020 | General Assembly approves transition to a general incorporated association. |
| June 29, 2020 | Transition to the Japan Nursing Ethics Association as a General Incorporated Association. Dissolution of the voluntary organization |
4.Board of Directors (June 2025–June 2027)
| Role/position | Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| President | Michiko Yahiro | Saku University |
| Vice President | Katsumasa Ota | Tohto University |
| Chair, Editorial Committee | Harumi Katayama | Kawasaki University of Medical Welfare |
| Chair, Public Relations Committee | Yuka Ozasa | Institute of Science Tokyo |
| Chair, Committee for Clinical Ethics Guidelines | Yumiko Ogushi | Higashi Sapporo Hospital |
| Chair, Committee for Research and Promotion of Science | Miki Ono | Oita University of Nursing and Health Sciences |
| Chair, Task Force Committee | Sayaka Takenouchi | Kyoto University |
| Chair, Committee of the Nursing Ethics Conference Facilitator Training | Shoko Takahashi | The University of Shimane |
| Chair, Research Ethics Committee | Misae Ito | Yamaguchi University |
| Treasurer | Mariko Suzuki | Nagano University of Health and Medicine |
| External Relations | Jukai Maeda | Tokyo Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences |
| General Affairs | Naoya Mayumi | Tokyo Junshin University |
| Auditor | Hifumi Aoyama | Senri Kinran University |
| Auditor | Emiko Konishi | Kagoshima University |