In Japan, somatic complaints have also been found to be useful clinical markers for depression. Studies reported in the literature on depression in Japanese and American primary care patients have used standardized questionnaires to identify patients with depression.

How they treat depression in Japan?

Antidepressant monotherapy, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, is regarded as the best first-line treatment for depression as outlined by the Japanese expert consensus guidelines.

Is depression common in Japan?

Until the 1990s, depression was not recognised as a legitimate condition by many people in Japan. Things are changing, but are they changing quickly enough? Every day, roughly 60 people take their own life in Japan, an average of just over 21,000 a year.