After graduating from Kobe University, Daichi Watanabe worked as a physical therapist, providing clinical care to older adults in the community while simultaneously earning a Master’s degree in Health Sciences from Kobe University Graduate School. This experience deepened his interest in viewing rehabilitation medicine from a macro perspective.
He then joined the Secretariat of the Japanese Physical Therapy Association (JPTA), where he was responsible for executive support and contributed to initiatives promoting disaster rehabilitation and team-based healthcare. Additionally, he led the launch of new international projects in collaboration with domestic and global organizations to drive further progress in physical therapy worldwide.
During his tenure at JPTA, he was seconded to the Health Insurance Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), where he worked on promoting data-driven health initiatives and collaborative health initiatives for employee health insurers.
In September 2024, he joined Health and Global Policy Institute (HGPI), where he is engaged in policy advocacy and initiatives aimed at real-world impact.