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Although Japan is a modern, industrialized nation, therapeutic recreation (TR) has not yet reached its full potential. In spite of the fact that Japan has a large and steadily growing elderly population, TR opportunities have not been fully explored, due in part to a lack of awareness of the role of qualified fukushi (welfare) recreation workers in Japan. This article describes the Leisure Education Program based on TR principles, noting how the program was adapted to suit Japanese culture. The article also describes the socio-cultural contexts in which TR has developed in Japan. To facilitate the development of TR in Japan, the authors suggest adjusting TR approaches to make them suitable for long-term care facilities and the use of culturally appropriate recreational activities.
KEY WORDS: TR, Japan, fukushi recreation, elderly welfare, LEP
What do you know about Japan and Japanese culture? Do you imagine a quaint island country of cherry blossoms and Mt. Fuji? Sushi and tempura? Bonsai and the tea ceremony? But do you know that although one in five Japanese people is older than 65 years old, and the life expectancy in Japan is the longest in the world, the word therapeutic recreation (TR) is not popular here. I would not be surprised if you did not know this. Through my experience living in the U.S.A., I have recognized that information from the mass media about Japan tends to focus on exotic Japanese culture or trade and the economy. Topics related to ordinary life in Japan rarely receive attention, so it is no surprise that recreation and TR in Japan are little known to the outside world. This observation was the initial motive to write this paper.
Japan is a highly developed country in terms of economy, technology, medicine, education, ecology, social welfare, and so forth. However, therapeutic recreation (TR) in Japan is still restricted within narrow limits, mostly to the area of elderly welfare. Both the importance and necessity of the advancement of TR in Japan are supported by the following evidence: The number of elderly aged 65 or older has reached a new high of 25.6 million. The percentage of the elderly in the total population also has increased to 20% (Cabinet Office, 2006). The number of the elderly aged...