Adolescent health, development, and the public health response in Japan

Abstract

In Japan, adolescent problems became more severe during the 1990s with an increase in abortions, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and drug abuse, as well as other issues including truancy and psychological problems such as social withdrawal. In Healthy Parents and Children 21, goals were set and strategies were developed to overcome these adolescent health problems. Specific initiatives included strengthening the consultative capacity of school health promotion systems and schools; designing sex education programs with the assistance of experts; strengthening collaboration among school health organizations, health and welfare organizations, and related organizations; improving children’s understanding of the media (media savviness); and implementing peer education programs that allow children to learn information from others of their own generation. Some local governments and schools have also launched sex education programs led by university students.