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Symposium

Dissemination and Implementation Science
Symposium

Symposium 28 - Advances in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Japan: Cultural Adaptation within a Social Context

Friday, June 26, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM PDT
Location: Yerba Buena Salon 14, B3 Level
CE: 1.5

Keywords: Culture , CBT , Change Process / Mechanisms
Level of Familiarity: Moderate to Advanced
Recommended Readings: Takahashi M et al. (2023). Gaze and avoidant patterns of visual attention to aversive stimuli during fear habituation trial: A pilot eye tracking study Journal of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy 33(4), 227-235.,   Asami Y et al (2020). Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the kleptomania symptom assessment scale: A comparison between individuals with kleptomania and prisoners in Japan. Comprehensive psychiatry, 96(152133), 1-6.,   Komazawa A et al. (2020). Role of focusing on the positive side during COVID-19 outbreak: Mental health perspective from positive psychology. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy 12(S1), S49-S50.,   Moriyama S. (2023). Research Trends on Problematic Internet Use (PIU) in Adolescence and Family Factors. Japanese Journal of Alcohol Studies & Drug Dependence, 58(1), 31-47.,   Harada T et al. (2022). A 12-session relapse prevention program vs psychoeducation in the treatment of Japanese alcoholic patients: A randomized controlled trial. Neuropsychopharmacology Reports, 42(2), 205-212.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) has been increasingly implemented and empirically examined in Japan, accompanied by sustained efforts to adapt its theoretical models and intervention strategies to Japanese cultural and social contexts. These developments extend beyond surface-level cultural tailoring and include systematic investigations of therapeutic mechanisms, outcome processes, and implementation strategies. This symposium presents five lines of research that exemplify how CBT in Japan has evolved through empirical inquiry, methodological rigor, and contextual sensitivity.
The presentations cover diverse clinical and applied domains, including specific phobia, kleptomania, positive psychology–informed CBT, problematic Internet use, and motivational interviewing (MI). Rather than focusing solely on treatment efficacy, the symposium emphasizes process-oriented and implementation-focused research, highlighting how CBT-related approaches are being refined and extended in Japan through experimental, clinical, and preventive frameworks.
The first presentation examines CBT for specific phobia, focusing on empirically testing the psychological processes through which exposure produces therapeutic effects, as well as processes that interfere with its effectiveness. The study investigates mechanisms underlying exposure, contributing to a more precise understanding of how exposure works in practice.
The second presentation reports on group-based CBT for kleptomania. Treatment effects are analyzed in relation to recidivism risk, craving, and outcome expectancies, offering a process-oriented perspective on how group CBT may reduce reoffending risk.
The third presentation addresses CBT incorporating positive psychological elements in Japan. It overviews national research trends and introduces ongoing strengths-based CBT (SB-CBT) research. Preliminary findings from participants who have completed the study period, together with qualitative feedback from patients and therapists, illustrate culturally grounded strengths-based interventions.
The fourth presentation focuses on family-based prevention for problematic Internet use. This research examines how family involvement and preventive strategies may reduce risk for problematic use, shifting the focus from individual treatment to systemic prevention.
The final presentation presents findings from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of MI training across a wide range of professional occupations. The study examines whether MI training enhances skills and attitudes related to behavior change beyond traditional clinical settings.
Together, these presentations demonstrate how CBT and related approaches in Japan are advancing through empirical investigation of mechanisms, outcomes, and implementation, contributing to culturally responsive and evidence-based psychological practice.

Learning Objectives:

  • Explain how CBT can be empirically examined and culturally adapted within Japanese contexts.
  • Promote greater clinical sophistication in applying CBT and related approaches across diverse populations and practice settings in Japan.
  • Participants will be able to describe how CBT interventions are culturally adapted across at least two clinical or preventive domains in Japan.

Presentations:

  • 11:05 AM - 11:22 AM PDT
    (SYM 28) Title: Effects of a Brief Motivational Interviewing Training Across Professional Domains: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    Speaker: Takayuki Harada, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – University of Tsukuba

    Co-Author: Yudai Arino, PhD (he/him/his) – Tokyo Detention Center

    Co-Author: Takaaki Watanabe, PhD (he/him/his) – University of Tokyo Health Sciences

  • 11:22 AM - 11:39 AM PDT
    (SYM 28) Fear Assessment and Maintenance: Validation of the Japanese SMSP-A and Longitudinal Predictors of Insect Fear

    Speaker: Minoru Takahashi, M.Ed. (he/him/his) – Mejiro University

  • 11:39 AM - 11:56 AM PDT
    (SYM 28) Effects of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy for Kleptomania in Japan: Focusing on Craving and Outcome Expectancy

    Speaker: Yuka Asami, Ph.D. (she/her/hers) – Mejiro university

    Co-Author: Hironori Shimada, Ph.D. – Waseda University

  • 11:56 AM - 12:13 PM PDT
    (SYM 28) Positive Psychological Elements in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Japan: Focus on Strengths-based CBT

    Speaker: Asami Komazawa, Ph.D. – Mejiro University

  • 12:13 PM - 12:30 PM PDT
    (SYM 28) Development of a Family-based Preventive Program for Children's Problematic Internet Use: The Role of Parental Control and Family Relationships

    Speaker: Saya Moriyama, M.A. (she/her/hers) – University of Tsukuba

    Co-Author: Takayuki Harada, Ph.D. (he/him/his) – University of Tsukuba