There has been little change in basic public attitudes toward alcoholism during the past couple of decades with most Japanese seeing it as a social problem rather than a disease requiring treatment.
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Susumu Higuchi, deputy director of the National Hospital Kurihama Alcoholism Center (Japan Times)
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neverknow2
Most Japanese don't think it's a problem and encourage others to drink them self stupid. Just like the 'forget the year' parties that they have.
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randomenigma
Drinking yourself stupid isn't really a problem but alcoholism is something different. Even if you only have three drinks, if you have to force yourself not to have the fourth, you are an alcoholic. This applies whether you succeed or fail in forcing yourself, the distinguishing thing about alcoholics is that this is difficult to do.
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sunny117
Those you appreciate quality .......enjoy it responsibly.
I admire the way the Japanese treat their social drinking customs with the same respect as they would treat their relations.
This is a somewhat a backseat agenda in the busy life of Japan.
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jonnyboy
not sure how vomiting on crowded trains factors into this. do the japanese vomit on their relations?
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Ashiri3
As a substance abuse counselor I would like to state ALOHOLISM is a medical condition, the same as mental illness, cancer, etc as well as a social issue! I work with it everyday...A few comments: first of all drinking yourself stupid obviously has negative impacts on your physical health (liver anyone?)...vomiting from drinking is your brain saying the level of alcohol in your bloodstream has reached toxic levels!!! I would go out on a limb and state due to Japan being a more emotionally restrained society overall, that drinking is a negative coping skill for many, alcoholic or not. I see how this disease destroys lives, and it saddens me to think many could be helped with a change in society's perspective of the disease and some counseling!
So for those of you with better insight RE this topic: has public attitude changed?
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