Kanae Usui

Our Consultants
Kanae Usui

Senior Consultant, Director of Health Tourism Research Institute

Researching the health benefits of travel for both mind and body. From the perspectives of health, wellness, and sustainability, we are engaged in developing programs that utilize local resources, promoting community development, and advancing government initiatives.

専門領域

経歴

Graduated from Waseda University in 2001 (majoring in psychology).Certified Health and Fitness Instructor (certified by the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Health and Physical Fitness Promotion Foundation) and Certified Hot Spring Utilization Instructor (certified by the General Incorporated Foundation Japan Health Development Foundation). After working as a therapist specializing in natural therapies, particularly thalassotherapy, and at a consulting firm, she joined the JTB Group’s Health Tourism Research Institute in 2007 (currently serving as Director).While involved in the operations of medical tourism, she also participated in projects such as the Health Tourism Quality Assessment Project and established the Health Tourism Certification System. Most recently, through projects with the Ministry of the Environment and the Forestry Agency, she has been researching new forms of travel and healthcare services based on sustainable interactions between people and nature.

主な要職・公職

Shizuoka Prefecture · Shizuoka Wellness Project Advisor2025–
Tokushima Prefecture Healthcare Business Support Advisor2022–2023
Lecturer in Introduction to Health Tourism at the University of the Ryukyus2018–2020

プロジェクト実績

主な実績

Survey on Revitalizing Hot Spring Resorts by Leveraging Hot Spring Resources (Ministry of the Environment / 2017)

担当プロジェクト

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare

2025年

FY 2025 Health Promotion and Other Programs for the Elderly

A Research Project on the Design of Events to Promote Social Participation Among Older Adults Through Sports and Cultural Activities

Senior Consultant, Director of Health Tourism Research InstituteKanae Usui
Associate Senior ConsultantKaoru Onodera

Aichi Prefecture

2025年

Survey on the Creation of a Forest Service Industry as Part of the FY2025 Higashi-Mikawa Revitalization Vision 2030 Priority Projects

With the aim of creating a service industry that leverages forest spaces in the Higashi-Mikawa region, we refined existing model plans, developed new ones, provided human resource development, and offered business support to local operators. In addition, we worked to attract visitors through the creation of promotional materials, participation in events, and test tours, thereby contributing to the self-sustainability of local businesses and the establishment and expansion of the forest service industry.

Senior Consultant, Director of Health Tourism Research InstituteKanae Usui

Ministry of the Environment

2025年

Reiwa 7 FY: Nikko National Park Enjoyment Project—Formulation of the Next Step-Up Program and Related Tasks

Regarding the initiatives of the “Enjoy Nikko National Park” Project, we summarized the achievements and progress of the Step-Up Program 2025 and, through repeated consultations with stakeholders, formulated the next Step-Up Program 2030. We established quantitative and qualitative goals and evaluation metrics, and clarified future policies aimed at strengthening collaboration between the local community and businesses and enhancing the value of the national park.

Director, Regional Consulting Co-creation DepartmentTatsunobu Hashimoto
Senior Consultant, Director of Health Tourism Research InstituteKanae Usui

Ministry of the Environment

2025年

FY 2025 Project to Establish an Adventure Travel Reception System Centered on the Tokunoshima World Heritage Center

An initiative to establish an infrastructure for hosting adventure travel (AT) with the Tokunoshima World Heritage Center as its base. Through collaboration with local businesses and experts, we refined tours that allow visitors to experience stories unique to Tokunoshima and developed new content.

Director, Regional Consulting Co-creation DepartmentTatsunobu Hashimoto
Senior Consultant, Director of Health Tourism Research InstituteKanae Usui

Minamata City, Kumamoto Prefecture

2025年

FY 2025 Minamata Onsen Promotion Project

In preparation for the launch of the "Sports × Hot Springs" recovery program—which combines Minamata’s hot spring resources with sports—we expanded the program’s content, conducted test tours, and explored ways to establish a sales infrastructure. Based on expert advice, we developed a model plan designed to enhance the program’s value for physical and mental recovery.

Director, Regional Consulting Co-creation DepartmentTatsunobu Hashimoto
Senior Consultant, Director of Health Tourism Research InstituteKanae Usui

Forestry Agency

2024年

FY 2024 Forest Content Development and Promotion Project

This initiative aims to revitalize mountain villages by promoting the forest service industry—which views forest resources not merely as a source for the timber industry but as "forest spaces" to be utilized across various sectors such as health, tourism, and education. To facilitate partnerships between mountain villages and companies or organizations interested in utilizing forest-based content, the initiative produces informational brochures and videos, evaluates the effectiveness of participating companies, and hosts forums.