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Service workers not classified elsewhere

How to become a Reflexologist

Uses mainly the hands and fingers to stimulate customers' soles, hands and ears, helping them stay healthy and recover from tiredness.

Main tasks

Workers in this job say high school is common. From job tag's survey of people in each job, who could give several answers. It shows what workers see as common, not how many workers hold each level.

How to become one

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but almost everyone has learned reflexology skills and knowledge at a specialist training institution, trained and gained a private qualification. For example, at the Japan branch of the International Federation of Reflexologists (IFR) and the Reflexologist Training School of Japan (REFLE), students learn anatomy and physiology, practical reflexology, counselling and holistic medicine, plus subjects such as aromatherapy, herbs and healing music. Those who sit and pass the professional reflexology licence practitioner exam (written and practical) certified by the Japan Healing Relaxation Association receive that qualification. At the Japan Reflexologist Accreditation Organization, people who complete the set study for each licence and pass the certification exam can obtain licences such as Regular (basic treatment skills), Master (able to give lifestyle advice) and Top Instructor (able to teach techniques). Some reflexologists gain other relaxation qualifications or build experience so they can offer a wider range of services alongside reflexology. Massage, however, requires the national qualification of anma massage and shiatsu practitioner, and cannot be done without it. As well as specialist reflexology knowledge and skills, this job involves dealing with people, so communication and customer service skills are needed.

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Reflexologist?

No particular education or qualification is required to start, but almost everyone has learned reflexology skills and knowledge at a specialist training institution, trained and gained a private qualification. For example, at the Japan branch of the International Federation of Reflexologists (IFR) and the Reflexologist Training School of Japan (REFLE), students learn anatomy and physiology, practical reflexology, counselling and holistic medicine, plus subjects such as aromatherapy, herbs and healing music. Those who sit and pass the professional reflexology licence practitioner exam (written and practical) certified by the Japan Healing Relaxation Association receive that qualification. At the Japan Reflexologist Accreditation Organization, people who complete the set study for each licence and pass the certification exam can obtain licences such as Regular (basic treatment skills), Master (able to give lifestyle advice) and Top Instructor (able to teach techniques). Some reflexologists gain other relaxation qualifications or build experience so they can offer a wider range of services alongside reflexology. Massage, however, requires the national qualification of anma massage and shiatsu practitioner, and cannot be done without it. As well as specialist reflexology knowledge and skills, this job involves dealing with people, so communication and customer service skills are needed.

How much does a Reflexologist earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥4,026,700 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Other service workers, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become a Reflexologist?

Not always. In this job's census occupation group, 28% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of a Reflexologist?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026