The scorching summer blaze ignites wisdom in the City of Shanghai. The "2025 Academic Conference on Naikan Therapy and the Development of Oriental Psychology," hosted by the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies (WFCMS) Naikan Therapy Research Professional Committee, the International Naikan Therapy Association, and the Chinese Mental Health Association Naikan Mental Health Professional Committee, and co-organized by Shanghai Mental Health Center and Shanghai Pudong New Area Nanhui Mental Health Center, grandly opened on the morning of August 28, 2025, at Shanghai Mental Health Center. This conference is concurrently the 8th Academic Conference of the WFCMS Naikan Therapy Research Professional Committee, the 10th International Naikan Therapy Academic Conference, and the 11th Naikan Therapy Academic Conference of the Chinese Mental Health Association. With the theme "Naikan Therapy and Mental Health in the New Era," the conference focuses on the in-depth integration of Oriental wisdom and modern mental health.
Professor Shigeo Horii, President of the Japan Naikan Society; Professor Teruaki Shinei, Vice President of the Japan Naikan Society; Ms. Shi Xiaofeng, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Mental Health Association; Mr. Jiao Yundong, Director of the Academic Department of WFCMS; Professor Wang Zucheng and Professor Qie Fengqing, Honorary Presidents of the WFCMS Naikan Therapy Research Professional Committee; Professor Mao Fuqiang, President of the WFCMS Naikan Therapy Research Professional Committee; Professor Qian Ming, President of Shanghai Pudong New Area Nanhui Mental Health Center; Professor Wang Zhen, Vice President of Shanghai Mental Health Center; and over 260 experts and scholars from home and abroad attended the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was hosted by He Ruifang, Vice President of the WFCMS Naikan Therapy Research Professional Committee.
【Addresses at the Opening Ceremony】
Wang Zhen, Vice President of the Shanghai Mental Health Center, delivered a welcome address. This was followed by speeches from Mao Fuqiang, President of the WFCMS Naikan Therapy Research Professional Committee, who gave the opening remarks.The guests warmly greeted and sincerely welcomed all experts and colleagues engaged in Naikan therapy research and clinical work who participated both on-site and online from across the country. They expressed expectations for in-depth exchanges and joint development with everyone, and also looked forward to further promoting the research, application, and popularization of Naikan therapy at home and abroad, improving the Naikan therapy skills of mental health and psychological counseling institutions in China, and ultimately bringing more hope and benefits to patients with mental illnesses.
【Book Donation Session at the Opening Ceremony】
As a pioneer in China's mental health field, Professor Wang Zucheng from Shanghai Mental Health Center first introduced Naikan therapy from Japan to China in 1988. Over the past 37 years, he has continuously promoted its localization and earnestly practiced the spirit of Naikan. At this conference, Professor Wang Zucheng donated 150 copies of his new work 160 Questions on Naikan Therapy, which embodies his wisdom and efforts. The publication of this new book provides crucial literature support for the research, popularization, and talent cultivation of Naikan therapy. His kind act has injected impetus into China's Naikan work and set an example for the industry.
【Performance at the Opening Ceremony】
At the end of the opening ceremony, the Orchid Choir from Shanghai Pudong New Area Nanhui Mental Health Center performed The Song of Naikan and Joy. The performers' lingering melodies and the beauty of their harmonies flowed like a spring. The songs of Naikan and the songs of life merged into a river, flowing through the hearts of the audience, making the choral performance the emotional climax of the event.
Under the background of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, mental health issues have attracted increasing attention. As a psychological intervention method rooted in Oriental philosophy, Naikan therapy transcends cultural boundaries and stands out among numerous schools of psychotherapy. Its value has increasingly gained widespread recognition and praise in the global mental health field, demonstrating unique value in global medical care, education, judicial correction, and other fields.
In August, Shanghai was scorching hot, but the venue was still filled with enthusiasm and a strong academic atmosphere. The conference invited nearly 100 renowned experts in related fields to give reports and participate in thematic discussions, attracting nearly 300 colleagues from across the country to attend both online and offline.
Over the two-day conference, a total of 68 presentations were held, including 23 keynote reports, 1 roundtable forum with Chinese and foreign experts, 1 policy dialogue with Chinese and foreign experts, and three special academic exchange forums.
The themes of exchanges and discussions covered the innovative application of Naikan in multiple scenarios and populations, such as clinical, educational, community, family, and judicial fields within the new-era mental health service system. In-depth discussions were conducted on the theoretical advancement, clinical application, and future development of Naikan therapy, as well as multi-dimensional explorations on how Naikan therapy can support the construction of a full-life-cycle mental health support network.
Mental health is an important part of overall health. Building a healthy China must start from the "heart." Through in-depth exchanges and discussions at this international Naikan conference, the participants jointly contributed wisdom and efforts to promoting the popularization of Naikan therapy knowledge, facilitating the innovative integration of Naikan therapy in theory and practice, and further boosting the high-quality development of mental health services .
