Research Project for Promoting School Climate in Tokyo
An ongoing project (2025-Present).
The Aim of the Study:
This project adapts EMPOWER Youth to the Japanese cultural context and implements it in Tokyo schools through a partnership with the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Medical Sciences.
The Background:
Japan faces a growing adolescent mental health challenge, with rising rates of depression and anxiety among young people and well-documented barriers to help-seeking, including stigma and limited specialist resources. Tokyo schools offer a practical and trusted setting for delivering accessible mental health support, well-suited to a culturally adapted version of EMPOWER Youth.
The Project Plan:
The HMS team provides training, implementation resources, and an advisory role. The Tokyo Metropolitan Institute trains school-based wellness providers within Tokyo schools, reducing the need for specialized care visits. The collaboration is formalized through an agreement between the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
Supporters and Project Duration:
The development of the EMPOWER Youth Intervention was funded by the Manton Foundation. Implementation is supported by the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (2025-2026).