To Touch or Not to Touch, That Is a Question

Ethical Dilemma and Spiritual Care in Japan

Abstract

Connecting the body and soul and promising rehabilitative benefits, “touch” has played an important role in religion and spiritual care. However, interfaith chaplains and spiritual care specialists who provide spiritual care in Japan are restricting physical contact out of concern for medical, psychological, and ethical risks. This has caused a qualitative change from a religious care based in belief to a care that emphasizes rapport in the support of the care recipient.

Because spiritual care providers come without a set of standardized techniques, they are free to tailor and personalize their care. Taking advantage of this special aspect of spiritual care, limitations are now being established that encompass restrictions on physical contact to ensure the safety of both care recipients and care providers. Nevertheless, some caregivers are resistant to inhibiting the use of “touch,” which has long proved beneficial in the tradition of religious care. No longer easily relying on physical contact though, how can we negotiate between providing care and avoiding risk?

Not only a problem for care providers and those that receive care, this is also a problem for Japanese society as it moves to find a consensus as to what sort of spiritual care is necessary and what will be permitted.