J@pan Inc Newsletter<br><div class="gmail_quote"><div><div class="Wj3C7c"><div class="gmail_quote"><br>The 'JIN' Japan Inc Newsletter<br>A weekly opinion piece on social, economic and political trends<br>in Japan.<br>
Issue No. 439 Wednesday November 7, 2007, Tokyo
<br><br>Alcoholism In Japan
<br><br>WHAT DO YOU THINK OF J@PAN INC?<br>We invite you to take a survey and win a high quality<br>prize for your troubles. Basically, we're interested to<br>know what readers think of J@pan Inc magazine, since we<br>
significantly boosted readers and content at the start of<br>this year. Tell us what you think: <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yof8sd" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/yof8sd</a><br><br>-----------Corporate IT Training in English----------------
<br><br>Frustrated by the lack of IT training in English?<br>InnoSoft Japan offers the following range of courses:<br><br>Application Developer - C, C++, Java/J2EE, .NET 2.0<br><br>Microsoft Infrastructure - Exchange, SPS, EPM, etc.
<br><br>Information Security - People, Process and Technology<br><br>All courses are conducted by industry professionals<br>with years of experience delivering advanced IT<br>training to corporate clients.<br><br>For more information please visit:
<br><a href="http://www.innosoft.co.jp" target="_blank">www.innosoft.co.jp</a><br>or call us at 050-6860-3194<br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>One of the most alcohol friendly countries in the world, Japan
<br>has a strong drinking culture, ranking 6th in the World for the<br>largest consumption of beer after China, the U.S., Germany, <br>Brazil and Russia. From 'Settais' (business dinners) to <br>'Bounenkais' (end of year parties-or literally 'forget the year'
<br>parties), all social occasions in Japan require a large <br>consumption of alcohol to fit in with your peers.. According <br>to a World Health Organization (WHO) survey in 2002, nearly <br>50% of men habitually consume alcohol
<br>(<a href="http://www.who.or.jp/AHP/docs/WHOReport_Vol6.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.who.or.jp/AHP/docs/WHOReport_Vol6.pdf</a>). <br><br>So it wouldn't be surprising to hear that alcoholism is on the <br>rise in Japan. The latest statistics show that the problem
<br>drinking rate in Japan currently stands at 240 million according <br>to the National Hospital Organization, Kurihama Alcoholism Center.<br>Even Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, the 61-year old cousin of <br>Emperor Akihito, has admitted that he suffers from alcoholism
<br>after repeated hospitalization for the problem. 'I am Prince <br>Tomohito, dependent on alcohol," he said at a speech in July. <br>He went on to say that 'I have been drinking alcohol since my <br>days in university and am dependent on it, so I find it rather
<br>surprising that I am seen to have been hit by it now.'<br><br>Dr Hiorakai Kono, former director of the National Institute of <br>Alcoholism in Tokyo, told us that 'there is no question that <br>alcoholism is increasing in Japan.' However, he goes on to say
<br>that 'what astonishes us is the size of the problem.' It seems <br>that alcoholism in Japan has largely been an undetected problem <br>and whether there is enough spotlight and support available on <br>the issue now is something that needs to be looked at thoroughly.
<br>Dave Milne, an expert on alcohol related problems in Japan, says <br>that 'although alcohol consumption is now decreasing in most <br>industrialized countries, it has quadrupled in Japan since <br>1960.' However, according to Milne, Japan still 'lags far
<br>behind Western countries in recognizing and treating alcoholism. <br>Fewer than 1200 hospital beds are available for alcoholic <br>patients, and the country's two national mental hospitals <br>provide only 200 beds. Private treatment centers are becoming
<br>more common, but no medical credentials or accreditation are <br>required to operate them.' <br>(<a href="http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/167/4/388" target="_blank">http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/167/4/388
</a>) <br>Of the 240 million alcoholics in Japan, only 23,800 of them are
<br>reportedly having treatment. <br><br>Moreover, it is very hard to admit someone into an alcoholism <br>Clinic - even if it is a very severe case and their surrounding <br>families and friends are in danger. The alcoholism patient
<br>would either have to decide to get help and admit himself <br>into hospital or their families would have to take the <br>drastic action of forcefully committing them a mental health <br>institute. We spoke to a relative of an alcoholic, Tomomi,
<br>who told us of her problems dealing with the Japanese system. <br>The alcohol dependent person was in a state of complete <br>dependency, consuming at least a 2 liter bottle of 'shochu' <br>(strong Japanese liquor) a day. He would often, in his
<br>intoxicated state, lash out at the people around him, causing <br>a severe threat to others as well as himself. Upon calling the <br>police, they replied that 'Unless he actually severely hurt <br>someone, we would be unable to intervene in a domestic such as
<br>this.' The first hospital Tomomi took him to admitted him <br>for one night for malnutrition but, despite the dangers and <br>the threats of abuse from the alcoholic, released him the <br>following day. Tomomi rang all the other alcoholism specialist
<br>clinics and they all said that the patient would have <br>to admit himself and they would not be able to contain him. <br>Unfortunately, the alcoholic was in complete denial and refused <br>to go into such a place. Because of the dangers of living with
<br>him, Tomomi decided that the only action to be taken was to<br>have her relative committed to a mental health institute, a place<br>that did not specialize in alcoholism and the only thing they <br>could offer was prohibiting any alcohol intake and some general
<br>counseling. After 4 months, the alcohol dependent relative left <br>the institution and quickly resumed drinking again.<br><br><br>Clearly, there is a lack of support for alcoholics and their <br>families in the Japanese system. However, what, if any, systems
<br>are in place for foreign residents in Japan?<br>We spoke to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Tokyo who have been in <br>Tokyo for about 50 years, supporting foreign residents in Japan <br>who either want help coming off alcohol or support in staying
<br>sober once treated for alcoholism.<br>Currently, they hold meetings on average twice daily in Tokyo <br>with more at the weekends. They can also hold Skype meetings <br>for those who do not live close by. Most members are originally
<br>from the US, Canada and Australia and about 80% of the members <br>seek the AA for support in staying sober after having already <br>come off the alcohol. Nick E, the public service relations <br>officer for AA Tokyo finds that most members complain of
<br>'Japan's social obligations to drink, and the ease in getting <br>liquor,' as well as the fact 'that drunkenness for a man is <br>often blamed on the spouse for not keeping him in line.' <br>However, Nick also stresses that as well as feeling solidarity
<br>with one another due to sharing an alcohol problem, with AA <br>Tokyo, 'there is definitely an ex-pat camaraderie.' Speaking to <br>a member and former alcoholic, John, he told us he was able to <br>get sober in Japan after having failed in the US. 'Stopping
<br>drinking is hard anywhere…but if you really want to stop, you can <br>do it whatever country you're in.'<br><br>By Anna Kitanaka<br>Journalist<br><br>++FEEDBACK<br>Want to comment? It is now even easier to voice your opinion
<br>than ever before! Simply visit <a href="http://www.japaninc.com/jin439" target="_blank">www.japaninc.com/jin439</a> and<br>post a comment below the article. Alternatively, you can email<br>it directly to the author at
<a href="mailto:anna.kitanaka@japaninc.com" target="_blank">
anna.kitanaka@japaninc.com</a><br><br>----------------------------------------------------------<br><br>Japan's First Family Social Network is here! <a href="http://www.piqniq.jp" target="_blank">www.piqniq.jp</a><br>
<br>Are you raising a family in Japan? Do you speak English?
<br>Would you like to meet other English speaking families in<br>your area? Piqniq is a Social Network Service tailored<br>specifically for you!<br>Our concept is "Families helping Families" and we invite<br>anyone that wants to meet other families, help other families,
<br>or discuss family-related issues pertinent to life in Japan<br>to come and join the Piqniq today!<br><br>For more information: <a href="http://www.piqniq.jp" target="_blank">www.piqniq.jp</a><br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------
<br><br>++EVENTS<br>--------Marcus Evans Events - Supported by J@pan Inc-------<br><br>Date :27th - 28th November, 2007<br>Venue: Hilton Tokyo Hotel<br><br>1) Creative Advertising and Media Marketing Strategy<br><a href="http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=12919" target="_blank">
http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=12919</a><br>This event features leading case studies from Fuji Xerox, KDDI<br>Corporation, Nissin Food Products, Kubota and Nihon Michelin<br>Tyre Co. There will be no future without effective advertising!
<br><br>2) Quality Sourcing and Strategic Procurement<br><a href="http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=12593" target="_blank">http://www.marcusevans.com/events/CFEventinfo.asp?EventID=12593</a><br>Come listen to best practices and case studies from renowned
<br>organisations like Pioneer Corporation, Bayer Healthcare, Fujitsu<br>and Mastercard.<br><br>'J@pan Inc readers are entitled to a 10% discount upon<br>registration with Ms. Esther Wong.'<br><br>For further details and brochures, please contact:
<br>Ms. Esther Wong<br>Tel No: +603 2723 6736 Fax No: +603 2723 6699<br>Email add: <a href="mailto:estherw@marcusevanskl.com" target="_blank">estherw@marcusevanskl.com</a><br>-<br>--------------------Celebrity Dinner--------------------
<br>
<br>Benefitting The Tyler Foundation for Childhood Cancer<br><br>November 8th, 2007, The Westin Tokyo 6pm - midnight<br><br>Mingle with international sport and entertainment celebrities<br>including Grammy-award winning-lyricist Sir Tim Rice, Australian
<br>cricketing legend Dennis Lillee, Japan rugby coach John Kirwan<br>and Japanese cyclist Fumy Beppu and more!!!<br><br>A triathlon of games, fantastic auction prizes and delectable<br>delicacies from Japan and the world presented in a matsuri
<br>atmosphere will make for an extra-ordinary dinner experience.<br><br>28,000 per person including dinner and drinks.<br><br>For more information contact <a href="mailto:julie@tylershineon.org" target="_blank">julie@tylershineon.org
</a>
<br>or see <a href="http://www.tylershineon.org" target="_blank">www.tylershineon.org</a><br><br>------------------ ICA Event - Nov 21 ---------------------<br><br>Event: Recent Trends in the IT Job Market -<br>Essential Insights for IT Career Management
<br><br>Overview: A Round-Table Discussion with Industry Specialists<br>Details: Complete event details at <a href="http://www.icajapan.jp/" target="_blank">http://www.icajapan.jp/</a><br>(RSVP Required)<br><br>Date: Wednesday, November 21, 2007
<br>Time: 6:30 Doors open, Light buffet, beer, wine, soft drinks<br>provided courtesy of ISG<br>Cost: 3,500 yen (members), 5,500 yen (non-members)<br><br>Open to all - venue is daynight in Otemachi<br><a href="http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/%7Edaynite/" target="_blank">
http://www6.ocn.ne.jp/~daynite/</a><br><br>-----------------------------------------------------------
</div><br><br></div></div></div>