How do Japanese view mental health?
One of the reasons for the low penetration of counselling in Japan is the ingrained belief that enduring what is unacceptable is a virtue. Japanese people are reluctant to confide their mental difficulties to those closest to them and try to survive and overcome their mental illnesses.
Shame and Stigma. The word most often used to mean “mental illness” in Japanese is kokoro no byouki (こころの病気). In Japan, people with mental illnesses are considered deviant, weak, outside the norm; their existence itself is a barrier preventing them from becoming a full member of society.
Mental illness is extremely common around the world, but many countries haven't recognized certain illnesses like depression until recently. Depression in Japan was not widely recognized until the late 1990s.
Results: Lifetime/12-month prevalence of any DSM-IV common mental disorders in Japan was estimated to be 20.3/7.6%. Rank-order of four classes of mental disorders was anxiety disorders (8.1/4.9%), substance disorders (7.4/1.0%), mood disorders (6.5/2.3%) and impulse control disorders (2.0/0.7%).
Sweden tops our positive mental health index, and with good reason. The Nordic nation ranked high for the percentage of green space, as it plays host to lush coniferous forests that take up the majority of its land providing the perfect environment for relaxation and mental wellbeing.
World Health Organization global study
The United States, Colombia, the Netherlands and Ukraine tended to have higher prevalence estimates across most classes of disorder, while Nigeria, Shanghai and Italy were consistently low, and prevalence was lower in Asian countries in general.
Introduction to mental health services in Japan
Note that psychiatric services are generally covered under Japan's National Health Insurance Scheme, but counselling is not covered.
Depression has been described as “kokoro no kaze” (a cold of the soul) and only recently it is being accepted in Japan as a medical condition that shouldn't provoke shame in those suffering from it. Depression is a state of low mood which can affect a person's thoughts, behavior, feelings and sense of well-being.
A common view is that accidents and illnesses are divine punishment (tatari) or even can be understood as a form of revenge. Such a view presumes in most cases that there is a relation between the afflicted person and the spirit, which in many cases clearly is not the case.
Prescription Medication
It is not a prohibited or controlled drug in Japan.
What culture has the highest rate of depression?
- Major depression goes undiagnosed and untreated at disproportionally greater rates in majority Black and Hispanic communities, leading to unnecessary suffering. ...
- Rates of treatment for major depression are lowest in Hispanic communities and lower in Black communities than in White communities.
# | Country | Depression Rate |
---|---|---|
1 | Greece | 6.52% |
2 | Spain | 6.04% |
3 | Portugal | 5.88% |
4 | Palestine | 5.75% |

The most depressed country is Afghanistan, where more than one in five people suffer from the disorder. The least depressed is Japan, with a diagnosed rate of less than 2.5 percent.
So which countries offer the best mental healthcare in the world? Coming out on top is Sweden, which received a positive mental wellbeing score of 7.13 out of ten.
Each year, around 1 million people die from suicide in the world, of which some 63,000 are in the Americas. Depression is the most common mental disorder in the world.
- Delaware.
- Maine.
- Vermont.
- Alaska.
- Rhode Island.
- Connecticut.
- Oklahoma.
- New Mexico.
While many countries still struggle with opening the discussion around mental health care, the United States was ranked third for burden of mental and behavioral disorders, adjusting for population size, by the World Health Organization.
They might go to their elders for advice. Counselling and psychotherapy based on Western psychology include aspects of personal development, but the Japanese are more likely to use activities such as martial arts, flower arrangements or the tea ceremonies for this purpose.
What is Tokyo syndrome?
Is it low self esteem? Even with all their accomplishments, they still seem to have a lack of self worth, something that might be called Tokyo Syndrome. After speaking to many Japanese people, I learned they feel that the West is where all the real high fashion comes from.
Currently (as of 2017) the three most sold antidepressants in Japan are duloxetine, mirtazapine, and escitalopram (Lexapro). The three most sold antidepressants by the end of 2010 were paroxetine with a value market share of 37%, sertraline with a share of 20% and fluvoxamine with a share of 15%.
A form of severe social withdrawal, called hikikomori, has been frequently described in Japan and is characterized by adolescents and young adults who become recluses in their parents' homes, unable to work or go to school for months or years.
Every person with disability, as a member of the society, shall be entitled opportunities to participate in social, economic, cultural and all other activities in the society. No one shall be allowed to discriminate against persons with disabilities or violate their rights and benefits on the basis of disability.
Healthcare in Japan is both universal and low-cost. The country provides healthcare to every Japanese citizen and non-Japanese citizen who stays in Japan for more than one year. Japan's healthcare system is uniform and equitable, providing equal medical services regardless of a person's income.
The top cause of death and disability in 2019 is Stroke, of type Non-communicable diseases, which has increased by 3.55 percent since 2009. The axis shows the percent change from -30 percent to 42 percent.
The question is why? OTC melatonin has been banned for years in the United Kingdom (UK), European Union, Japan, Australia and most recently Canada.
ADHD Medication in Japan
As mentioned above, all medications containing stimulants are prohibited. This includes Adderall, a standard medication used to treat ADHD symptoms in the US. If you bring these drugs into Japan for any reason, you risk arrest and imprisonment.
As of 2021, among select Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, Iceland, Portugal, and Canada were the biggest consumers of antidepressants. At that time, people in Iceland consumed antidepressants at a rate of about 161 defined daily doses (DDD) per 1,000 people.
Race/Ethnicity among Anxiety (GAD-7) and Depression (PHQ-9) Screeners | 2019 Count | 2020 Percentage |
---|---|---|
Asian or Pacific Islander | 21,835 | 17.21% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 20,459 | 8.74% |
Hispanic or Latino | 28,341 | 12.72% |
More than one of the above | 10,487 | 4.51% |
What is the most depressed city in the world?
Welcome to Norilsk, also known as 'most depressing city' in the world. Norilsk is the most northerly city in Russia. It is located in Krasnoyarsk Krai region of Siberia, eastern Russia. The situation is so bad there that not even a single road goes there.
Many Native/Indigenous tribes embrace a worldview that encompasses the notions of connectedness (with the past and with others), strong family bonds, adaptability, oneness with nature, wisdom of elders, meaningful traditions and strong spirit that may serve as protective factors when it comes to mental health.
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By country.
Rank | Country | DALY rate |
---|---|---|
1 | Indonesia | 321.870 |
2 | Philippines | 317.079 |
3 | Thailand | 315.533 |
4 | Malaysia | 314.199 |
The United States has the highest lifetime rate of bipolar disorder at 4.4%, and India the lowest, with 0.1%. Bipolar disorder is characterized by cycles of depression and mania, a euphoric, high-energy state that can result in heightened levels of creativity or output as well as erratic or risky behavior.
Factitious disorder tends to affect less than 0.5% of the population. Also known as 'imposter syndrome' or Capgras Delusion. People with this mental health condition believe that someone in their life that plays a significant role what been replaced with an imposter.
Hawaii. Hawaii has the lowest depression rate in the U.S. of 11.76%. Hawaiians are generally in good health – low tobacco use rates, low obesity rates, and lots of exercise. Hawaii ranks 18th for access to mental health care.
A common view is that accidents and illnesses are divine punishment (tatari) or even can be understood as a form of revenge. Such a view presumes in most cases that there is a relation between the afflicted person and the spirit, which in many cases clearly is not the case.
Counselling and psychotherapy are based on Western concepts and the Japanese view them differently. When the Japanese provide or use counselling and psychotherapy services, they generally follow Japanese methods of forming relationships, which results in a hierarchical relationship between client and therapist.
As their diet is traditionally high in soy and fish this may also play a significant role in reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The Japanese also have the lowest rates of obesity among men and women as well as long life expectancy.
The japanese people are serious about their health, and a healthy diet has become a part of their lifestyle. The food they eat are so beneficial for their health that they rank among the top five in lists of countries with the best health, and highest life expectancy.
What are 3 things emphasized in Japan?
In Japan, some of the core values are thinking of others, doing your best, not giving up, respecting your elders, knowing your role, and working in a group. These concepts are taught explicitly and implicitly from nursery school into the working world.
Expressing Emotions: Displaying intense emotion is usually avoided in Japanese communication. This is especially the case in formal situations such as in the workplace or at school. People tend to avoid overt and intense displays of anger to preserve face.
In Japan, Kampo medicines (traditional Japanese herbal medicines), acupuncture, moxibustion, massage and dietetics have been used since the early Edo period (17th century) as “authentic medicine”. Currently, 148 Kampo formulas are covered by the national health insurance.
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