The 12th International Shiatsu Conference was held at the Chestnut Park Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A total of 500 people from Hawaii, USA, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and Japan attended.
The conference was opened on July 8 by Mr. Ron MacQuarie. Kensen Saito sensei of the Tokyo Academy of Shiatsu, Toronto, gave an address thanking those who had come a long distance to attend. This was followed by speeches from the Mayor of the City of Toronto, the Consul General of Japan, Yasuhiko Tanaka, and the Chairperson of Japan Shiatsu College, Tokujiro Namikoshi sensei. Next, a Shiatsu movie was screened, followed by a "demonstration" of Shiatsu in the sitting position in which the conference participants performed Shiatsu form each other. This was a very positive side of the international exchange.
In the afternoon, the following members presented papers on the results of their studies: Shiatsu Treatment for Lumbago between Japan and Spain: by Shigeru Onoda sensei, Centro de Shiatsu, Spain; "Shiatsu Treatment and Rehabilitation Exercises for Acute and Chronic Lumbago Symptoms" by Dr.Fulvio Palombini sensei, President, Sculoa Italiana Shiatsu, Italy; "The Current Position of Shiatsu in the U.S." by Fumihiko Indei sensei, President, Aisen Shiatsu School, Hawaii; "Shiatsu Treatment for Pregnancy and Delivery" by Denis Binks, Nippon-Nederlandse Shiatsu School, Netherlands, and "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome" by Kensen Saito sensei, Shiatsu Academy of Tokyo, Toronto, Canada.
Later, that evening, a lively reception party proved that everyone was enjoying the conference and that it was a great success.
On Sunday, July 9 at 2:00 p.m. at Ontario Place, a special "Memorial Demonstration for Toru sensei" was open to the general public. This was conducted in honor of Toru Namikoshi sensei who had passed away the previous year.
Indei sensei, Onoda sensei and other participants of the conference provided Shiatsu to the Shiatsu devotees. Chairperson, Tokujiro Namikoshi sensei, energetically presented practical instruction for Shiatsu in Zai (sitting) position. Afterwards, he gave interviews, enthusiastically, to newspaper and TV reporters. It was an impressive sight!! The event ended on a high note.