Committee for International Exchanges of
the Japanese Association for Research in Family Nursing (JARFN)

The Japanese Association for Research in Family Nursing (JARFN) was founded in October 1994 when its first academic meeting was held at the University of Tokyo. Since this inaugural session, annual academic meetings have been organized around unique themes.

At the time JARFN came into existence, family nursing was not yet fully acknowledged within nursing science, and our organization's initial efforts focused on disseminating the basic concept of reconsidering the "family" as the client of nursing care and practice. At the same time, we faced a major challenge of how to position "family nursing" within the broader area of nursing science, as well as to systematize it as a specialized field. In the course of these endeavors, to disseminate information on the academic activities of members, we began publishing the "Japanese Journal of Research in Family Nursing" from 1995. In addition, various committees were established within JARFN to educate members over a wider perspective; international activities have also been taking place through these committees.

In 1999, JARFN was registered as an academic society of the Science Council of Japan, and it continues active participation as a member of the Japan Society of Nursing Science. It already boasts over 1,400 members active in various areas of nursing science. Hence, the expectations toward JARFN, as well as the challenges we face, are enormous. JARFN's mission has progressed to the point of being firmly established in theoretical and practical academic areas. We will continue efforts to grasp what is currently desired from contemporary family nursing, advance in academic studies, and strive to become an organization that will contribute to society.

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The primary goals of JARFN are to promote research in family nursing and mutual collaboration between researchers and practitioners, and to foster communication among members and collaboration with internally and externally related institutions.

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The functions and structure of today's families are changing, and families are confronted with many issues. Nursing is no longer limited solely to caring for the ill and their distressed family members; it is now also expected to engage in preventive care and other activities to promote health.

The role of family nursing includes fostering the care functions that are adopted by families, thereby enhancing the health of all family members. It can thus be said to be a comprehensive approach that involves different areas of nursing science.

In addition, practitioners of family nursing must consider actions and measures for families that face diverse problems and issues, and JARFN aims to play a key role in guiding these efforts. Our mission also includes the creation of wisdom and development of skills for family health and improvement of family health care, and contributing to society by incorporating these assets.

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JARFN is composed of an administrative director, deputy administrative director, administrative officer, councilor, auditor, secretary and various committees. We perform such activities as editing of publications, research and education, public relations, international exchanges, and proposals for academic and policy-related measures. Members of the board serve a three-year term.

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JARFN activities include:

Academic meetings: JARFN holds one academic meeting each year under a unique theme, at which lectures on family nursing, symposiums, presentations and discussions on research and advanced practice are held. This contributes to the development of family nursing and improvement in practice.

Publications: The periodical "Japanese Journal of Research in Family Nursing" publishes articles covering a variety of topics related to family nursing, including original articles, reviews, research reports, notes, etc., as well as reports on activities by JARFN and its members. It is distributed to members and related institutions.

Lectures and training sessions:Periodic lectures, training sessions and seminars are held to improve research, practice, and education on family nursing as well as to promote family nursing.

Coordination with other societies and affiliated institutions: Through coordination with domestic and foreign academic societies and other related institutions, JARFN fosters exchanges of information on family nursing aimed at furthering the development of family nursing and contribution to society. Many of our members from Japan have participated in and made presentations at the International Family Nursing Conference (IFNC), and have been promoting international exchanges in the area of family nursing.

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1. Types of memberships

Regular members: Researchers, educators, and practitioners who apply for membership, demonstrating an interest in family nursing.

Honorary members: Members who have made contributions to JARFN and have been approved by the general assembly.

Supporting members: Individuals or organizations that support the aims of JARFN, have gone through the process of deliberation with the administrative board, and have then been approved by the membership at large.

2. Membership application

Those interested in joining JARFN are invited to submit a request for the application materials (application form, payment slip) to our secretariat. Send us back your completed application form and transfer the application fee as well as payment for the first year's membership. Once we have confirmed your application form and deposit, we will notify you of your membership number.

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This symbol, suggesting the joining of extended hands to represent a circle of family members, is intended to convey the meaning of strong family bonds. Its shape was inspired by the method of writing genograms.

In a vote open to members of the Japanese Association for Research in Family Nursing (JARFN), the design, proposed by Dr. Naohiro Hohashi was selected. His work was recognized with an award presented on September 2, 2006 at the 13th Annual Conference of Japanese Association for Research in Family Nursing, after which the logo was officially adopted.

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