Advocacy in the medical and welfare field involves defending, representing, and supporting individuals, with a dual focus on protecting and checking the rights of those vulnerable to rights violations and supporting the exercise of rights and autonomy for involved parties.

The protective function of advocacy has evolved with mechanisms such as grievance resolution, third-party evaluations of welfare services, the adult guardianship system, and the Consumer Contract Act, which were introduced after the revision of the Social Welfare Act in 2000. These mechanisms serve to safeguard the rights of individuals receiving medical and welfare services. Conversely, the supportive function of advocacy entails enhancing understanding of information among individuals receiving nursing care, fostering self-determination in decision-making processes, and supporting autonomy in choices such as selecting treatment methods and services. The Japan Nursing Association’s Code of Ethics for Nurses emphasizes the importance of respecting and protecting people’s right to knowledge and self-determination, positioning advocacy as an ethical responsibility within the nursing profession.

Given their unique position at the intersection of medical care and welfare, nurses are well-placed to serve as advocates. As individuals who are closest to patients and maintain prolonged contact with them, nurses play a crucial role in advocating for patients by conveying their thoughts and voices, mediating from the patient’s perspective, and supporting their right to self-determination.

• Fry, S. T., & Johnstone, M.-J. (2010). Ethics of nursing practice: Ethical intention guide for decision making (Katada, N., & Yamamoto, A., Trans.; 3rd ed.). Japanese Nursing Association Publishing.
• Ishimoto, D. (2006). Special feature: Advocacy in nursing. Clinical Nursing, 32(14), Special Issue.
• Japanese Nursing Association (Ed.). (2006). New edition: Basic responsibilities of nurses: Definitions and concepts, basic law, ethics. Japanese Nursing Association Publishing.