"Therapist of 88 Years" Michiyo Akiyoshi This year marks her 88th birthday. Delivering the warmth of her hands as a practicing therapist. As a leading figure in Japan for "Therapeutic Care," a mind-body care method devised by the British Red Cross, Michiyo Akiyoshi, the "Therapist of 88 Years," is actively involved in volunteer work at elderly care facilities and hospices, and has also visited the Noto Peninsula earthquake disaster area. In fact, Akiyoshi was a full-time housewife until she was 60, dedicating her life to housework, raising three children, and caring for her visually impaired mother-in-law at home since her marriage at age 22. A Turning Point at Age 60 In 1999, when Akiyoshi turned 60, she encountered the completely new care method "Therapeutic Care" from the British Red Cross during a trip to the UK, which she visited as a volunteer at a care facility. Entrusted by the inventor of the care method to promote it in Japan during her stay, Akiyoshi made a resolute decision. Since then, while continuing her volunteer activities at care facilities, hospices, and palliative care wards, she has traveled across the country to deliver this care to as many people as possible and has also begun training volunteers. September 1999 A fateful encounter with "Therapeutic Care" at the British Red Cross, where she visited for study (Front row, right: Akiyoshi) From Full-Time Housewife to Chairperson of a National Organization at 66 In 2005, at the age of 66, she established an NPO. The organization later grew into a national body with approximately 800 members. Akiyoshi's way of life, dedicating her second life to social contribution, was featured as "Therapist of 80" on RKB Mainichi Broadcasting's "Kyokan TV" in 2019. Akiyoshi caring for disaster victims at temporary housing in the Noto Peninsula (June 2025) Her First Book Signing Event And now, Akiyoshi will hold her first-ever book signing event for her own book. On the day of the event, she will personally sign c