•••6SummaryThe True Role of Counseling In Japan, there is a serious challenge in that counseling for maintaining mental health is not as widespread as it is in Europe and the United States. Behind this issue lie social problems such as an increase in work absences due to mental health issues and a suicide rate that remains high among developed countries. The reasons hindering the spread of counseling are composed of the following three main factors:Cultural Background: "Gaman (Endurance) is a Virtue"and "Conformity Pressure" There is a deeply rootedculture that values enduring mental hardship on one'sown and makes people hesitant to show vulnerabilityto others. In addition, within a culture of "conformitypressure" that prioritizes group harmony, it is difficultto express worries or ideas that differ from the group,causing many people to suppress their emotions.Institutional Challenges: Financial Burden and theHistory of Qualifications Whereas much of counselingis covered by insurance in the U.S., in Japan it isprimarily paid for out-of-pocket, creating a financialhurdle of several thousand to over ten thousand yenper session. Furthermore, the national professionalqualification, "Certified Public Psychologist," was onlyestablished in 2017, meaning that the social statusand public recognition of counselors' expertise arestill developing. Counseling is not only for the treatment of mental illness (the treatment model) but also for resolving issues in interpersonal relationships, alleviating difficulties in living, and aiming for personal growth (the growth model). Counselors do not just give one-sided advice; they act as "companions" who, through dialogue, help clients sort out their own issues and find a path to resolution on their own.Educational Delays: Lack of Learning OpportunitiesUntil recently, there have been few opportunities tolearn systematically about mental health in schooleducation. The introduction of "Prevention andRecovery of Mental Illness" into high school healthand physical education in 2022 was a big step, butfuture challenges include implementing education atan earlier stage in elementary and middle schools anddeepening the understanding of educators themselves. It is a crucial task for the future of Japan to foster a society where this true role is widely understood and where anyone can feel comfortable receiving professional support when they need it.
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