This paper is a partial revision of a speech given as chairman of the 43rd General Meeting of the Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine for publication in the journal "Psychosomatic Medicine. In the first half of "My path," I mention the course of my clinical research after entering the field of psychiatry and describe changes in individual interests from psychophysiological and cognitive therapy and psychotherapy to treatment of alcoholism. In the second half, I present the basic concept of the bio-psychosocial model of Engel that is indispensable in routine work on alcholism as a typical lifestyle related disease, the current status of alcohol-related problems and an outline of the treatment of alcoholism since I think that obtaining the understanding and cooperation of general clinicians is essential for development of the treatment of alcoholism. Finally, I report on the basic goals concerning alcohol-related problems in the government sponsored "Health Japan 21."

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The author described the psychosomatic states and psychological problems behind them in 4 cases selected from the characters in 'Genji-Monogatari', who were likely to have symptoms of the psychosomatic disorder. The author described the indication and method of 'Kaji-Kitou' (the devotional ritual by monks) which were used as treatment. He also explained the peculiar method to remove 'Mononoke' from the person possessed and put it into another person who was in the hypotic state. Furthermore, the author explained the reason why the same event at sometimes may cause the onset of the disease and at other times may not, by comparing the characters in 'Genji-Monogatari' and referring to the importance of pride as well.

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Music therapy was introduced already in 1950s in the US, when the American Music Therapy Association was established, and has been making a steady progress ever since. In Japan, doctors mainly specializing in psychosomatic medicine established the Japan Society of Biomusic Therapy in 1986 and music therapy has been adopted as one of the psychosomatic therapeutic methods. In 1995, the Japan Society of Biomusic Therapy and the Clinical Music Therapy Association made an alignment under the new name of the Japan Federation of Music Therapy. As a result, Music Therapy made a progress by the consolidated course and the federation was involved in the accreditation of music therapists and the publication of the curriculum for the specialty of Music Therapy. In April 2001, the two organizations were consolidated under the name of the Japan Music Therapy Association. In this article, the author will introduce Music Therapy which is conducted in the area of psychosomatic medicine both in foreign countries and in Japan and explain the progress of music therapy.

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The number of Japanese people living overseas is reported to be 800,000,12,000 of them in Indonesia. The present paper concerns life-style related diseases and risk factors in the Japanese living in Indonesia, most of whom are business bachelors. The subjects consisted of 63 adult male Japanese with an average age of 55.4 years ; 70% of them were business bachelors. In order to consult about their health, they visited our traveling doctor group sent by consignment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Life-style related diseases and their risk factors were investigated by interview, questionnaire, physical measurements, and simple examinations. The results were compared with age-adjusted statistical data of Japanese nationwide researches. Favorable results were obtained for BMI (Body Mass Index, 22.5±2.8 [mean±S.D.] vs. 23.5; 0.01), prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (11.1% vs. 26.8%;p<0.005), prevalence of hyperuricemia (11.1% vs. 22.2% p<0.05) and prevalence in the rate of habitual drinking (25.4% vs. 51.6;p<0.001). The same results as the standard statistical values were obtained in blood pressure (systolic pressure : 134.0±20.8 mmHg vs. 136.9 mmHg; n.s., diastolic pressure : 81.6±12.2 mmHg vs. 83.3 mmHg;n. s.) and prevalence of positive urine glucose (11.1% vs. 10.9%;n. s.). Worse results were shown for habitual smoking (63.5% vs. 47.6%;p<0.05) and physical activity ("decreased" in 41%,"the same as before" in 40%, and "increased" in 19%). Anxiety about health was reported in 48% of subjects. Decreased risk factors seemed to be paradoxical, because loss of body weight was due to the stress reaction to altered environment including diet rather than positive health promotion behavior. Worsening life style conditions were also affected mainly by environmental factors. Japanese livings in a developing country are under many stressful conditions,such as different climate,culture and life style, challenging personal relations with employees,infection,poor sanitary conditions and poor medical conditions. It is necessary to construct a support system for health management including mental health using local networks and information technology.

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