LIFE-STYLE CHANGES AND PSYCHOSOMATIC PROBLEMS IN JAPAN

After the Second World War, with economic prosperity and marked improv ement in medicine, hygiene environments and nutrition, and also by org anization of the medical insurance system in Japan, we have achieved t he worldxs longest life span of 80 years superseding the average of 50 years in the past. As to the structure of diseases, tuberculosis and acute infectious diseases have diminished, whereas life-threatening di seases such as cancer, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease s have been increasing. Despite the advancement of the standard of liv ing and material prosperity, environmental and ecological distortion h as been taking place in various forms, that is, nature has been on the verge of destruction, and industrialization has been bringing many pr oblems relating to environmental pollution. With regard to psychosomat ic aspects, particularly among school children, there are many reports on school refusal, violence in school and at home, juvenile delinquen cy, bullying and suicide. Eating disorders and personality disorders t end to increase in puberty and adolescence. In middle-aged males, work aholics and stress-related psychosomatic disorders, Karoshi (death fro m overwork), suicides due to depression are matters of great concern. In relation to the aged population which is on the rapid increase, how to care for bed-ridden and dementia patients is also drawing much att ention. The numbers of AIDS patients, kitchin drinkers and the rate of divorce tend to increase. The term ,,technostress'' is becoming popul ar among computerrelated workers.