title: Differences between British and Japanese perspectives on forensic mental health systems: A preliminary study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the differences in views on forensic mental health (FMH) systems between the United Kingdom and Japan.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a series of semi-structured interviews with six leading forensic psychiatrists. Based on a discussion by the research team, we created an interview form. After we finished conducting all the interviews, we qualitatively analyzed their content.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the United Kingdom the core domain of FMH was risk assessment and management; however, in Japan, the core domain of FMH was psychiatric testimony. In the United Kingdom, forensic psychiatrists were responsible for ensuring public safety, and psychopathy was identified as a disease but deemed as not suitable for medical treatment. On the other hand, in Japan, psychopathy was not considered a mental illness.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, there are considerable differences between the United Kingdom and Japan with regard to the concepts of FMH. Some ideas taken from both cultures for better FMH practice were suggested.
authors.affiliation: Akihiro Shiina, Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiina
authors.affiliation: Akihiro Shiina, Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Aika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomoto
authors.affiliation: Akihiro Shiina, Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Soichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Omiya
authors.affiliation: Akihiro Shiina, Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Aiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.affiliation: Akihiro Shiina, Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iyo
authors.affiliation: Akihiro Shiina, Division of Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation, Chiba University Center for Forensic Mental Health, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshito
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Igarashi
keywords: Forensic mental health; International comparison; Medical treatment and supervision act; Psychopathy; Qualitative research