Mental Health Licensing & Regulation in Japan: 2025 Guide

In Japan, the regulation of mental health professionals is a complex system blending national licensing, private certification, and unregulated practice. While psychiatrists are medically licensed, psychologists follow different standards, including the official "Certified Public Psychologist" license and various private certifications.

This guide explains the requirements for each role, how to verify a provider's credentials, and what to look for to ensure you receive qualified care.

Official Legal Framework

Primary Legislation:

• Certified Public Psychologist Act (2017): Establishes national licensing for Certified Public Psychologists
• Medical Practitioners Act: Regulates psychiatrists and medical professionals
• Social Worker Act: Regulates psychiatric social workers and mental health social workers
• Professional Association Standards: Various professional certification systems

Regulatory Authorities

1. MINISTRY OF HEALTH, LABOUR AND WELFARE (MHLW)

Role: Government authority for Certified Public Psychologist national licensing

Authority: National government ministry with statutory licensing powers

Functions:

• National Licensing: Administration of Certified Public Psychologist national examination and licensing
• Professional Standards: Setting national standards for Certified Public Psychologist practice
• Regulatory Oversight: Government oversight of licensed mental health professionals
• Public Protection: Ensuring professional competency and public safety
• Healthcare Integration: Integration of psychology into the national healthcare system
• Quality Assurance: Maintaining professional standards and competency requirements

• National Examination: Authority to conduct national licensing examinations
• License Issuance: Power to issue and maintain Certified Public Psychologist licenses
• Professional Standards: Authority to set national professional practice standards
• Disciplinary Authority: Government disciplinary powers for licensed professionals
• Healthcare Regulation: Integration with broader healthcare regulatory framework

2. JAPANESE PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION (JPA)

Authority: Professional association with a voluntary certification system

Functions:

• Professional Certification: Certified Psychologist certification for psychology professionals
• Academic Standards: Setting academic and professional standards for psychology
• Professional Development: Continuing education and professional development programs
• Research Promotion: Advancement of psychological research and knowledge
• Professional Identity: Promoting professional identity and expertise among psychologists
• International Relations: International cooperation and professional exchange

• Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor's degree or above in psychology or related field
• Japan Residence: Lived in Japan for 2+ years since age 16
• Academic Credits: Specific academic credits designated by the JPA certification committee
• Professional Standards: Compliance with JPA professional standards and ethics

3. JAPANESE ASSOCIATION OF CERTIFIED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS (JACCP)

Authority: Professional association with a clinical psychology certification system

Functions:

• Clinical Certification: Certified Clinical Psychologist certification and credentialing
• Clinical Standards: Setting clinical psychology practice standards and requirements
• Professional Training: Clinical psychology training and supervision programs
• Quality Assurance: Ensuring clinical competency and professional standards
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development for clinical psychologists
• Professional Ethics: Clinical psychology ethics and professional conduct standards

• Established in 1988: Japanese Certification Board for Clinical Psychologists founded
• Largest Association: Largest professional psychology association in Japan
• Clinical Focus: Specialised focus on clinical psychology practice and training
• Professional Standards: Comprehensive clinical psychology professional standards
• Renewal Requirements: Ongoing certification renewal and continuing education

4. INTERNATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS JAPAN (IMHPJ)

Authority: Professional organisation (not licensing body)

Functions:

• Professional Support: Support for international mental health professionals in Japan
• Professional Standards: Professional competency standards for international practitioners
• Networking: Professional networking and support for international professionals
• Cultural Competency: Cultural competency training and support
• Professional Development: Professional development opportunities for international practitioners

Professional Categories and Scope of Practice

1. CERTIFIED PUBLIC PSYCHOLOGIST (公認心理師)

License Required: National license through MHLW examination

Scope: Comprehensive psychology practice with national recognition

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor's degree with required psychology courses
• Graduate Education: Master's degree or equivalent with required psychology courses
• Practical Training: Required practical training and supervised experience
• National Examination: Pass national Certified Public Psychologist examination
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development requirements

• Route 1: Bachelor's + Master's with required courses + practical training
• Route 2: Bachelor's with required courses + 2+ years practical experience + additional training
• Route 3: Existing professionals with equivalent experience and additional training

• National Examination: Pass Certified Public Psychologist national examination
• Educational Compliance: Complete required educational and training requirements
• Professional Registration: Register with MHLW as a licensed professional
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development and education
• Professional Standards: Compliance with national professional standards

• Psychological Assessment: Comprehensive psychological assessment and evaluation
• Psychological Support: Psychological support and intervention services
• Consultation: Professional consultation with individuals, families, and organisations
• Education and Training: Psychology education and professional training
• Research: Psychological research and knowledge development
• Healthcare Integration: Integration with healthcare system and medical professionals

• National License: Nationally recognised professional license
• Healthcare Integration: Recognised within the national healthcare system
• No Renewal Required: License does not require renewal (lifetime license)
• Professional Protection: Protected professional title and scope of practice
• Government Recognition: Full government recognition and support

2. CERTIFIED CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST (臨床心理士)

License Required: Professional certification through JACCP

Scope: Clinical psychology practice and mental health services

Education Requirements:

• Graduate Education: Master's degree in clinical psychology from approved program
• Clinical Training: Comprehensive clinical training and supervised practice
• Professional Examination: Pass JACCP certification examination
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development and education
• Renewal Requirements: Regular certification renewal and continuing education

• Graduate Education: Complete approved clinical psychology graduate program
• Clinical Training: Complete required clinical training and supervision
• Professional Examination: Pass JACCP certification examination
• Professional Registration: Register with JACCP as a certified clinical psychologist
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development and certification renewal

• Clinical Assessment: Clinical psychological assessment and diagnosis
• Psychotherapy: Individual, group, and family psychotherapy services
• Mental Health Treatment: Treatment of mental health conditions and disorders
• Crisis Intervention: Mental health crisis intervention and support
• Clinical Consultation: Clinical consultation with healthcare professionals
• Professional Training: Clinical psychology training and supervision

• Established System: Well-established certification system since 1988
• Largest Association: Largest professional psychology association in Japan
• Clinical Specialisation: Specialised focus on clinical psychology practice
• Renewal Required: Certification requires regular renewal and continuing education
• Professional Recognition: Widely recognised in healthcare and mental health settings

3. CERTIFIED PSYCHOLOGIST (認定心理士)

License Required: Professional certification through JPA

Scope: General psychology practice and professional services

Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor's degree or above in psychology or related field
• Japan Residence: Lived in Japan for 2+ years since age 16
• Academic Credits: Specific academic credits designated by JPA certification committee
• Professional Standards: Compliance with JPA professional standards

• Educational Compliance: Complete required academic credits and education
• Residence Requirement: Meet Japan residence requirement
• Application Process: Submit certification application to JPA
• Professional Standards: Demonstrate compliance with professional standards
• Certification Issuance: Receive JPA Certified Psychologist certification

• General Psychology: General psychology practice and services
• Professional Services: Psychology professional services to individuals and organisations
• Research: Psychological research and knowledge development
• Education: Psychology education and training
• Consultation: Professional consultation services
• Applied Psychology: Various applied psychology specialisations

• Professional Identity: Promotes professional identity and expertise
• Academic Foundation: Strong academic foundation in psychology
• Voluntary System: Voluntary professional certification system
• Professional Development: Ongoing professional development opportunities
• International Recognition: Some international recognition and cooperation

4. PSYCHIATRIST (精神科医)

License Required: Medical license plus psychiatric specialisation

Scope: Full psychiatric medical practice

Education Requirements:

• Medical Education: University medical education and degree
• Medical Training: General medical training and internship
• Psychiatric Specialisation: Specialised psychiatric training and certification
• Medical License: National medical license from MHLW
• Continuing Education: Ongoing medical education and professional development

• Medical Authority: Full medical authority, including prescription and procedures
• Psychiatric Diagnosis: Comprehensive psychiatric assessment and diagnosis
• Medical Treatment: Psychiatric medical treatments and interventions
• Hospitalisation: Authority for psychiatric hospitalisation and treatment
• Emergency Care: Psychiatric emergency care and intervention
• Medical Integration: Full integration with medical healthcare system

5. PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER (精神保健福祉士)

License Required: National license for psychiatric social work

Scope: Mental health, social work and support services

Education Requirements:

• Social Work Education: Social work education and training
• Mental Health Specialisation: Specialisation in mental health and psychiatric social work
• National Examination: Pass the national psychiatric social worker examination
• Practical Training: Required practical training and supervised experience
• Professional Registration: Registration with MHLW as a licensed professional

• Mental Health Support: Mental health support and social services
• Case Management: Mental health case management and coordination
• Community Support: Community mental health support and services
• Family Support: Family support and intervention services
• Social Integration: Social integration and rehabilitation services
• Professional Coordination: Coordination with healthcare and social service professionals

6. UNLICENSED MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS

Practice Authority: Unregulated practice allowed

Scope: Various mental health and counselling services

Practice Characteristics:

• No Licensing Required: No government licensing or regulation required
• Professional Standards: Voluntary professional standards and ethics
• Practice Freedom: Freedom to practice without government oversight
• Professional Associations: May participate in professional associations
• Quality Variation: Wide variation in professional quality and standards

• No Government Protection: No government protection of professional titles or practice
• Consumer Responsibility: Consumer responsibility to verify professional qualifications
• Professional Ethics: Reliance on voluntary professional ethics and standards
• Quality Assurance: No government quality assurance or oversight

Verification Procedures for the Public

Verifying Certified Public Psychologist License:

MHLW Database: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare maintains licensed professional database.

Verification Process:

• MHLW Contact: Contact MHLW for license verification or visit https://www.jccpp.or.jp/Top.cgi
• Professional Status: Verify current license status and validity
• Professional Standing: Check professional standing and any restrictions
• Scope Verification: Confirm authorised scope of practice
• Educational Background: Verify educational qualifications and training

Verifying Professional Certifications:

• JACCP Verification: Contact JACCP for clinical psychologist certification verification
• JPA Verification: Contact JPA https://psych.or.jp/
• Professional Status: Verify current certification status and validity
• Continuing Education: Check continuing education compliance
• Professional Standing: Verify professional standing and any restrictions

Professional Information Available:

• License/Certification Status: Current professional license or certification status
• Professional Category: Type of professional license or certification
• Educational Background: Verified educational qualifications and training
• Professional Standing: Professional standing and any disciplinary actions
• Practice Authorisation: Authorised scope of practice and any restrictions

Complaint Procedures

For Licensed Professionals (Certified Public Psychologist):

Process:

• Formal Complaint: Submit a complaint to MHLW professional regulation division
• Investigation: Government investigation of professional conduct
• Disciplinary Review: Review against national professional standards
• Government Sanctions: MHLW disciplinary measures if violations found
• Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within the government system

For Certified Professionals (JACCP, JPA):

Process:

• Association Complaint: Submit complaint to relevant professional association
• Professional Investigation: Association investigation of professional conduct
• Ethics Review: Review against professional ethics and standards
• Professional Sanctions: Association disciplinary measures if violations found
• Appeal Process: Appeal procedures within association structure

For Unlicensed Practitioners:

Options:

• Consumer Protection: Consumer protection agencies for fraud or misrepresentation
• Professional Associations: If practitioner belongs to professional association
• Legal Action: Civil legal action for professional misconduct or damages
• Public Awareness: Public awareness and consumer education

Complaint Categories:

• Professional Misconduct: Violations of professional standards and ethics
• Scope Violations: Practising outside authorised scope or making inappropriate claims
• Educational Misrepresentation: Misrepresenting educational qualifications or training
• License/Certification Fraud: Fraudulent claims about professional credentials
• Ethical Violations: Violations of professional ethics and conduct standards

Protected Titles and Legal Framework

Protected Professional Titles:

• "公認心理師" (Certified Public Psychologist): Protected by Certified Public Psychologist Act (2017)
• "精神科医" (Psychiatrist): Protected under Medical Practitioners Act
• "精神保健福祉士" (Psychiatric Social Worker): Protected under the Social Worker Act

Unprotected Professional Titles:

• "臨床心理士" (Certified Clinical Psychologist): Professional certification, not legally protected
• "認定心理士" (Certified Psychologist): Professional certification, not legally protected
• "カウンセラー" (Counsellor): No legal protection, widely used by unlicensed practitioners

Legal Requirements for Protected Titles:

• Government License: Valid government license for protected titles
• Professional Registration: Registration with the appropriate government authority
• Educational Compliance: Appropriate educational qualifications and training
• Professional Standards: Adherence to government professional standards
• Continuing Education: Ongoing professional development requirements

Penalties for Unlicensed Use of Protected Titles:

• Criminal Sanctions: Criminal penalties for fraudulent use of protected titles
• Professional Sanctions: Professional disciplinary actions
• Civil Liability: Civil liability for professional misconduct and damages
• Practice Prohibition: Prohibition from using protected professional titles

Current Professional Statistics

• Certified Public Psychologists: Growing number since 2017 licensing system establishment
• Psychiatrists: Approximately 15,000+ licensed psychiatrists
• Psychiatric Social Workers: Significant number of licensed psychiatric social workers

• Certified Clinical Psychologists: Largest professional psychology group (JACCP members)
• Certified Psychologists: JPA-certified psychologists with an academic foundation
• Professional Growth: Continued growth in professional certification

• Dual-Track System: Government licensing alongside professional certification
• Practice Freedom: Unlicensed practice allowed in many areas
• Professional Diversity: Wide range of professional qualifications and backgrounds
• Quality Variation: Significant variation in professional standards and quality

Language Requirements

For Professional Practice:

• Japanese Proficiency: High-level Japanese proficiency essential for professional practice
• Professional Communication: Japanese language skills for patient and professional communication
• Documentation: Professional documentation in Japanese language
• Cultural Competency: Understanding of Japanese cultural and social context

International Practitioners:

• Language Barriers: Significant language barriers for international practitioners
• Cultural Preparation: Understanding of Japanese healthcare and cultural context
• Professional Integration: Integration with Japanese professional community
• Continuing Education: Japanese language continuing education opportunities

Recommendations for the Public

When Seeking Mental Health Services:

• Verify Credentials: Check professional credentials and qualifications
• Licensed Professionals: Consider licensed Certified Public Psychologists for government-recognised services
• Certified Professionals: Consider certified clinical psychologists for established clinical services
• Professional Standing: Check professional standing and any restrictions
• Cultural Competency: Ensure cultural and language competency for effective services

When Seeking Licensed Services:

• MHLW Verification: Verify Certified Public Psychologist license with MHLW
• Professional Experience: Check professional experience and background
• Scope of Practice: Understand authorised scope of practice
• Professional Standards: Ensure compliance with national professional standards
• Healthcare Integration: Consider integration with the healthcare system

For International Practitioners:

• Credential Assessment: Complete assessment of international credentials
• Language Preparation: Develop adequate Japanese language proficiency
• Cultural Preparation: Understand Japanese healthcare and cultural context
• Professional Integration: Engage with Japanese professional community
• Legal Compliance: Ensure compliance with Japanese professional requirements

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Unverifiable Credentials: Cannot provide verifiable professional credentials
• False Claims: False claims about licensing or certification status
• Scope Violations: Practising outside authorised scope or making inappropriate claims
• Language Barriers: Inadequate language skills for effective professional communication
• Cultural Insensitivity: Lack of cultural competency and understanding

Sources and Verification:

Japan Foundation for the Certification Board for Clinical Psychologists

Japanese Psychological Association (JPA)

International Mental Health Professionals Japan (IMHPJ)

Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW)