Founded in 1973, the Tokyo Institute of Psychiatry (TIP) is an affiliate of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The Institute spearheads psychiatric research in Japan through biological and clinical research on the pathogenesis of mental disorders. Pioneering work on the improved treatment and effective prevention of mental health issues has helped us fulfill our mission to promote mental health in people from all walks of life.

Among those who live and work in a modern urban center such as Tokyo, quite a few individuals are likely, at some point in their lifetime, to encounter some mental health problem or another, such as depression, risk of suicide, stress-related matters including sleep disorders, as well as drug dependence. In recent years the number of patients with senile dementia and mental health problems related to childhood has likewise increased dramatically.

Fortunately, neuroscientific research on the basic mechanisms of mental disorders has been making notable advances, enabling mental health professionals to elucidate many vexing issues in our field. Empirical evidence in clinical epidemiology, psycho-social domains and intervention techniques has also made enormous strides. By applying the fruits of such cutting-edge research, we at TIP are devoted to finding innovative solutions for mental health problems, and shedding light on areas that remain dimly understood.

Topics of research project initiated in 2004/2005 at our Institute include schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, presenile/senile dementia, sleep disorders, drug dependence, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and childhood mental health problems.

Since our founding nearly four decades ago, TIP's research activities have benefited tremendously from lively and creative interaction with academics, mental health practitioners and citizens from the international community.

In April 2011 TIP looks forward to the establishment of a new governmental institute for medical research in this city as a result of our forthcoming merger with the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science and the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience.

On behalf of my colleagues and myself, I wish to take this opportunity to ask for your wholehearted support of the myriad activities in which we are engaged. At the same time, please allow me to gratefully seek your continued support for Tokyo's soon-to-be-launched new medical research institute.

With best regards,