From Mental Health Law to Mental Health and Welfare Law

In September 1987 in Japan, the Mental Hygiene Law was amended to the Mental Health Law. This Law emphasizes the protection of human rights of the mentally disabled as well as the promotion of their social rehabilitation. In 1993, Mental Health Law was partially revised in the following four areas: (i) social rehabilitation; (ii) special rules for large cities; (iii) definition of the mentally disabled; and (iv) hogogimusha seido. The Japanese Government amended the Mental Health Law to Mental Health and Welfare Law on 1 July 1995. This law is intended to promote the welfare of the mentally disabled.