June 2nd is World Eating Disorders Action Day
There is general consensus among Japanese experts that the prevalence of eating disorders in Japan is comparable to those reported in western countries. Unfortunately, the number of those affected who present for treatment in Japan remains very low compared to the amount who seek treatment in western countries. The results from the most recent large-scale government survey revealed that there were approximately 26,000 patients who presented to medical services with eating disorders between 2014 and 2015, but the actual number of affected individuals who are in need of care is estimated to be at least several fold of this number.