ABSTRACT
The 2002 Japanese Council on Public Health report defined ‘social hospitalization’ as hospitalization of patients whose symptoms and social functioning are adequate for living in the community. The major reason for their continued hospitalization is the shortage of social resources to support their community life. Traditionally in Japan, the family is expected to support and care for the patient. This custom may persist because many people blame families for mental illness. Public opinion
is changing, however, and people increasingly believe that families of mentally disabled people should receive the services of professional caregivers and be free from the heavy responsibility of care.
