Leisure Education in Japan

The term “therapeutic recreation (TR)” was introduced in Japan in 1980. Since then, there have only been a few significant practices in social welfare as well as in rehabilitation settings. Previous research suggested adjusting TR approaches to make TR programs suitable for long-term care facilities, including culturally appropriate recreational activities. The number of Japanese Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRSs) has increased, and there is a TR Study Group that meets regularly to share research, curriculum, and accreditation matters related to fukushi recreation and TR. This article describes the Leisure Education Program (LEP) in Japan, which has been conducted since 1996, focusing on how the program has evolved to address participants’ needs. There have been various fukushi recreation programs in the past that emphasized either “Functional Improvement” or “Recreation Participation” using the Leisure Ability Model (LAM). LEP is a useful recreation program that forms a link between “Functional Improvement” and “Recreation Participation.” This article suggests that a TR service model—the Self-Determination and Enjoyment Enhancement Model—can be more effective in meeting the needs of individuals with higher brain dysfunction. Subscribe to TRJ