Interpersonal psychotherapy in Japan

Abstract

This chapter discusses interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) in Japan. It follows how Dr. Hiroko Mizushima published the Japanese translation of the first manual to Interpersonal Psychotherapy of Depression. After establishing an IPT study group, Dr. Mizushima built the Japan chapter of the International Society of Interpersonal Psychotherapy (ISIPT). The chapter then details the adaptations to IPT before considering its subsequent barriers and facilitators of implementations, which references the National Health Insurance Plan not covering IPT. It mentions the plans to make IPT-JAPAN an official academic society composed of clinicians and researchers, which can give points to maintain professional qualifications after the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the plan.