About JSAP
≪Mission≫
Nearly a quarter-century has passed since the establishment of The Japanese Society for Adolescent Psychiatry (JSAP) in May 14th 1988. “The mission of JSAP is to promote and contribute to the development of treatment and care, research, and professional training in the field of adolescent psychiatry, and also serve as a sole national organization in Japan as a wing of the International Society for Adolescent Psychiatry (ISAP)＊1,” (a quote from the constitution of JSAP, article 3)
＊1 ISAP established in 1987 was later altered to the International Society for Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychology (ISAPP), when adding the reference of psychology.
≪Members≫
We have on the list close to about 380 members. Whilst most members were psychiatrists in the early days, the number of experts in the related area, including clinical psychologists, and educators/ teachers has been gradually increasing. Current president is Dr. Norimasa Ikuta (2018-), and previous presidents are Dr. Yoshimi Kasahara (1987-2000), Dr. Kiyoshi Ogra (2000-2013), Dr. Kuninao Minagawa(2013-2016), Dr. Kiyoshi Ogra (2016-2018).
To turn to ISAPP, since JSAP hasn’t enrolled as full members (national organization) of ISAPP, all of ISAPP members of JSAP are individual members. Although not accurate, approximately 20 percent of JSAP members, about 50 people, join ISAPP.
≪Past Congress≫
Since the organization meeting in 1988, annual meeting has been held every year. Past JSAP congresses are summarized in Table. In addition, workshop to discuss clinically relevant issues from a practical perspective has also been held since the 7th meeting of JSAP . These themes decided by governing board would indicate definitely what we JSAP aim for, which vary widely from theories of adolescent development to therapeutic theories and techniques. Interestingly, development of personality has been preferably focused on, rather than clinical features of each individual disorder, which is true for developmental disorders, one of the hottest topics for years. Behavioral problems such as aggression (including disruptive behaviour disorders), obsessive- compulsive syndrome, and hikikomori, has been repeatedly addressed. The topics and issues regarding social interaction during adolescence at home, school, a society, and an in-patients ward has also been raised, as well as individual therapeutic interaction with adolescents suffering from mental disorders.
We are keen to encourage non-members who work for schools, child welfare facilities, child guidance centers, and legal service as teachers and psychologists to participate each annual meeting, more than psychiatrists and pediatrician.
≪Publication≫
Since the first issue of Japanese journal of adolescent psychiatry appeared in April 1991, sponsored by Iwasaki Gakujutu Shuppansya, we have periodically brought our journal to publication twice a year. It is particularly worth noting that the journals are supposed to come onto the market, in order for those who have interests in adolescent psychiatry among reading public to become more readily available.
≪A road leading to the establishment of JSAP≫≪Background≫
Dr. Keigo Okonogi and Dr. Feinstein in ISAP assumed a leading role in the foundation of JSAP. Both psychiatrists and some advocates held several preparatory meetings for the establishment of JSAP. We had the 12th International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions: IACAPAP world congress in 1986 in Kyoto, Japan, which must have partly accelerated the process of establishing JSAP. Finally, the organization meeting of JSAP (President of JSAP; Dr. Yoshimi Kasahara, Congress president; Dr. Satoru Tsuji) was held in Osaka, in May 1988, obtaining broad support from professionals who engaged in adolescent psychiatry from the perspectives of dynamic psychiatry, psychopathology, psychopharmachology, and family therapy.
≪Agendas≫
JSAP’s goals are
・to establish the distinctiveness of psychiatry of adolescent, defined as the boundary between child and adult.
・to facilitate closer collaboration with other fields, such as education, public health, social work, pediatrics, and legal service.
・ to develop links with other region, including philosophy, social science, and neuroscience.