The effects of intensive Naikan remain to be quantitatively established. Therefore, we attempted to establish a scale for intensive Naikan by statistical studies. First, the effects of intensive Naikan were evaluated by self-assessment and assessment by others. Assessment by interviewers revealed that intensive Naikan had effects on 80% of the subjects who performed it. This high percentage may be due to the selection of subjects, and the cooperation with persons who referred them to our center. In addition, “placing subjects in a program”, “making them concentrate”, and ”deepening their understanding” at our center may have produced good responses.

  We are frequently asked questions such as “What are the effects of intensive Naikan?” or “On what percentage of people is Naikan effective?” In this paper, the effects of intensive Naikan were evaluated by a questionnaire survey of 110 subjects. The subjects reported that they became more accepting of their lives, hard feelings toward others disappeared, their physical condition improved, and they became happier. We speculate that people who practice intensive Naikan undergo mental and emotional changes that result in better relationships and greater acceptance of life.

  In this paper, we report on the effective application of Naikan Therapy to a woman suffering from suicidal and delusional ideation. The client had delusions of sin and guilt or poverty. She was autistic, refusing to take a bath, suffering from mysophobia, and losing weight. Naikan Therapy redirected her speech from delusions and complaints of past experiences to focus on the care she received from her parents in her childhood. she was able to recall how much she was loved by her parents.

  After application of Naikan Therapy, the client showed a decline in her symptoms, including the eschatology and the delusions of sin and guilt. She consequently was discharged from the hospital.

  This report also suggests that gradual application of Naikan Therapy supports medical treatment for the client of depression who is suffering from the ambivalence of a double bind. The client has the need to be released from pain but also refuses treatment resulting in loss of energy and conflicts with the environment.

  This paper is based on my paper “Problems on Naikan Historical Research” presented at the 24th Japan Naikan Association Meetings, June 7, 2001.

  The present writer has been gathering historical information about the life of Ishin Yosimoto, the founder of Naikan, since 1997.

  Naikan history can be devided into three periods: Pre―Yosimoto (“Mishirabe” the prototype of Naikan), Yosimoto's lifetime, and Post―Yosimoto.

  The subject of Naikan historical research covers all aspects of Naikan, not only psychological, medical, or religious aspects. Methods of Naikan historical research consist mainly of bibliographical research and gathering testimonies by interviewing eyewitnesses of Naikan history.

Both methods should be based on the methodology of modern historical reseach. Eyewitnesses of the life of Isin Yosimoto are getting advanced in age, so interviewing them is an urgent problem.

  Examples of bibliographical study interview of Mr. Gentaro Kitagawa, an eyewitness to the enlightenment of Ishin Yoshimoto, are shown at the end of the paper.