Implementing the individual placement and support model of supported employment in Japan: Barriers and strategies

Objective In spite of the effectiveness of the individual placement and support model of supported employment (IPS) for the recovery of people with mental illness, the implementation and dissemination of IPS in Japan have not been straightforward. This paper summarizes barriers against the implementation of IPS in Japan and discusses potential strategies to overcome them. Method We reviewed IPS research performed in Japan through literature search, and summarized current employment services and policies in Japan along with a practice report of an ongoing IPS program in a local city in Japan. Results Barriers against the implementation of IPS in Japan included: (a) systems designed mainly for group-based services, (b) weak recognition of IPS, and (c) cultural background. Nevertheless, we identified 4 intervention studies of IPS in Japanese settings, and all found that more than 40% of the participants gained their employment through IPS. By utilizing available services, the IPE program in Hamada City achieved ∼50% employment rate and sufficient fidelity. Conclusions and implications for practice The present data indicate that, by combining currently available services, IPS can be implemented successfully in Japan. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).