Psychodrama in Japan

Abstract

This report reviews psychodrama development in Japan, which was introduced by Prof. Matsumura and Prof. Sotobayaski in 1956. Zerka Moreno's workshop in Japan stimulated practitioners to adopt and adapt various movements to psychodramatists' work in Japanese mental hospitals where the members of psychodrama groups are chronic schizophrenics. The Japanese psychodramatists modified the process to fit their needs. This report introduces one of these methods, omnibus psychodrama, that was based on the idea of analytical psychodrama. To reform the environment of mental hospitals in Japan, there is a need to develop a Japanesestyle
psychodrama. 'The differences in psychodrama among various countries are also examined.