On April 1, 2011, we became a Public Interest Incorporated Association under the approval of the Cabinet Office. Our total number of members stood at 7,882 as of the end of March 2019. Since our foundation, we have continued to conduct academic conferences and publish membership directories and our main academic journal, The Japanese Journal of Psychology. We also publish an English language journal Japanese Psychological Research and an enlightening informative magazine Psychology World. Our other activities include certification of Certified Psychologists, public lectures, public symposiums, workshops for Certified Psychologists, and awarding prizes to outstanding research.

As part of our commitment to international exchange, we have been a National Member of the International Union of Psychological Science (lUPsyS) since the 13th International Congress of Psychology was held in Stockholm in 1951. We organized the 20th International Congress of Psychology in Tokyo in 1972, the 22nd International Congress of Applied Psychology in Kyoto in 1990 and the 31st International Congress of Psychology (ICP2016) in Yokohama in 2016, all of which were very successful.

Domestically, we discuss educational curriculum and certification issues through exchanges with other psychology related associations in the Japan Union of Psychological Associations.

• ・Admission fee: 5,000 yen
• ・Annual dues: 11,000 yen; 7,500 yen for members in their 1st or 2nd years after completing undergraduate work and for members currently enrolled in graduate school.

Membership Screening Rules

1. 1.Membership applications shall be screened pursuant to Article 10 of the Articles of Incorporation, according to the rules set forth below.
2. 2.Members of the JPA must be recommended by a current member, approved by the JPA board, and meet at least one of the following criteria:
   1. (1) Has graduated from a 4-year university with a concentration in psychology or psychology related subjects, or is a licensed certified psychologist.
   2. (2) Other than (1) above, is a currently enrolled student in a psychology or psychology related graduate program, or is a graduate of such program.
   3. (3) Has graduated from a 4-year university with a concentration in related subjects and has researched or practiced in psychology related areas for 2 or more years.
   4. (4) Is a researcher in a non-psychology field who holds a Master’s degree or above or equivalent research experience, and who is currently engaged in research or practice related to psychology.

   Individuals in categories (3) or (4) above should submit research articles or papers with their application. (Include postage if you wish us to return any materials to you.)

Membership Benefits

• ・Free subscriptions to the JPA’s three journals and the JPA member directory
• ・Submissions accepted to The Japanese Journal of Psychology and Japanese Psychological Research
• ・Member’s rate for participation in the annual JPA convention

All members of the JPA shall recognise and honour the basic rights of all people, shall respect people’s liberty and pursuit of happiness, take care to maintain the welfare and protection of non-human creatures, and assume responsibility for their actions as professional psychologists. These principles and guidelines are based on the foregoing; in the event that a judgement is required regarding the ethicality of a member’s actions as a professional psychologist, as well as the results of those actions, members shall follow these principles and guidelines.

1. 1. Awareness of responsibility and self-study
   As professional psychologists, JPA members shall be aware that their research, studies, and practical activities in the field of psychology may have effects on society and the individuals that it comprises. Furthermore, members shall, through their activities, aim to improve people’s welfare and happiness.

   In order to make such a contribution to society, members shall constantly strive to develop an appropriate professional dignity, shall study to improve themselves, and endeavour to improve their abilities, knowledge and professional proficiency. To that end, members shall acquire the latest specialist knowledge and techniques, as well as a wide range of related information. Members shall further learn about ethical ideology, as well as pertinent laws—both in Japan and overseas, shall take an active part in the education of junior professionals, and aim to increase awareness among society at large.

2. 2. Legal compliance and respect for rights and welfare
   
   JPA members are not simply expected to obey laws in their capacity as regular citizens. As professional psychologists, members are expected to comply with the regulations of the professional institutions and organisations to which they belong and to respect the standards, customs, cultures, and values of the organisations to which the participants^*1in members’ research and practical activities belong. Members must never take respect for the individual or animal welfare lightly. Members should always be careful to honour the rights and benefits of their colleagues and students who participate in members’ research, education, and practical activities, as well as all other people otherwise involved in members’ work, and shall always be considerate of such people’s human rights and welfare. In particular, when engaging in research, education, or practical activities that involve animals, members shall comply with all pertinent laws, ensure animals are fed and kept appropriately, and work to prevent abuse and otherwise improve animal welfare. Furthermore, where wild animals are involved, members must be careful to protect the environment and consider the effects on the local community and ecosystem.
3. 3. Explanation and consent
   
   When carrying out psychology-related activities, JPA members must fully inform all participants of the details of the activities and must generally obtain the consent of participants in writing^*2. Where it is difficult for members to gain informed consent regarding their research from participants, members must obtain such consent from a proxy, such as a close family member. Additionally, participants must be told in advance that they have the right to suspend or terminate their participation, even before the research has finished.
4. 4. Confidentiality
   
   JPA members must never conduct any research, education, or practical activity which invades the privacy of any individual without first obtaining that individual’s permission nor shall members cause any physical or psychological damage to participants. Where a member is in a position of authority over a participant, the member must never use that position for personal benefit. Furthermore, members must store and administer information gained through research, education, and practical activities in the strictest confidence, making sure that such information is never divulged to anyone else; such information must generally not be used for any purpose other than research, education, or practical activities.
5. 5. Public statements and responsibility
   
   When a JPA member publishes information gained through research, education, or practical activities, the member shall first obtain the consent of the participants and others involved and must ensure that participants cannot be identified through published information without the participant’s prior permission. In the case of joint research, the member must also obtain the consent of his or her fellow researchers when making public statements and fully consider his or her rights and responsibilities.

*1: Participants (including those taking part in, related to, or cooperating in research) were formerly referred to as “subjects”; however, in line with the principles set forth in the foreword, are herein referred to as “participants.”

*2: Bearing in mind that some research is carried out using questionnaires in a group survey or by post, and that the very efficacy of some research is rendered useless by describing in detail the contents of the research to participants, members are required to take measures and strive to ensure that informed consent is obtained in writing without compromising the research. Where prior consent is impossible, members must obtain consent—and the understanding of the participant—ex post facto.

Due to the interdisciplinary nature of psychology-related academic programs, we define a certified psychologist as an individual whom we deem to possess the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to practice as an expert in the field of psychology.

Purpose

The purpose of this system is to increase the level of expertise and sense of identity among psychology specialists.

Basic Qualifications

Qualified individuals must 1) possess a bachelor’s degree or above, 2) have lived in Japan for 2 or more years since they were 16 years old, and 3) earned academic credits designated by the JPA certification committee.

Journals

• ・We are governed by our articles of incorporation, byelaws, and regulations.
• ・JPA members may participate in the management of the association by electing representatives from among their peers.
• ・At an annual general meeting, we decide upon our business plans, budget, business report, settlement of accounts, and other items raised by the board.
• ・Items are executed by the board, which also discusses pending issues with the JPA’s respective committees.

Organization

The JPA is managed by 20 board members, including 7 directors and the representative director, and 2 auditors. Standing committees are: the academic journal editorial committee, certification committee, outstanding research paper selection committee, ethics committee, international committee, Psychology World editorial committee, public relations committee, international prize selection committee, and education and research committee. Other special committees may be established as necessary.

The JPA’s head office is run by an office director and employees who undertake membership, editorial, certification, accounting, and other regular JPA matters in addition to managing the JPA’s various committees in consultation with the board.

Board Members and Representatives

Board members are elected from among JPA member representatives who are elected by their peers every two years.

We sponsor an annual academic convention that is organized by a planning committee at a different host university each year. The convention attracts about 3,000 participants and 1,000 presentations every year. Presenters must be JPA members as of the previous year and must have paid membership dues for the current year.

Future Convention

Public Symposium

Since our incorporation, we have sponsored public symposiums to promote understanding of psychology among the general public. The symposiums have been widely attended and well received.

JPA Research Awards

Every year, we award a number of outstanding research papers chosen from among those published during the previous year as original articles in JPA publications.

JPA Awards for International Contributions to Psychology

• ・Award for Distinguished Research
• ・Award for Distinguished Services
• ・Award for Distinguished Early and Middle Career Contributions

International Exchange

International Union of Psychological Science (IUPsyS)

As a comprehensive national psychological association, we represent Japan as one of the 70 IUPsyS member countries.

Every 4 years, the International Congress of Psychology is held over a period of 6 days. The 31st International Congress of Psychology(ICP2016) was held from July 24 through 29, 2016, in Yokohama.

Our purpose is to contribute to academic activities in Japan through the development and advancement of psychology, presentation of theoretical and practical applications of psychological studies, and intellectual exchanges and cooperation among our members and between related associations.

Activities

We conduct the following activities to achieve our mission:

1. 1. Sponsorship of research forums and lectures
2. 2. Publication of journals, research reports and other materials
3. 3. Conduct of research activities
4. 4. Collaboration with related academic societies in Japan
5. 5. Collaboration with related international academic societies
6. 6. Promotion of research activities and commendation of achievements
7. 7. Certification of psychologists and their training
8. 8. Other activities related to our mission

If you have any questions about JPA,
please fax or email to the address below.
Email: jpa@psych.or.jp
Fax: +81-3-3814-3954

The Japanese Psychological Association

• About Us
• Greetings from the President
• Our Mission
• Management and Organization
• Academic Conferences
• Certification
• Publications
• Membership
• Ethical Principles of Psychologists

Japanese Academic Societies Unite to Release a Joint Statement to Protect the Independence of the Science Council of Japan

Japanese scholars have met the Prime Minister Suga’s decision to reject the candidacy of six humanities and social sciences scholars for the Science Council of Japan with grave concern. 226 academic societies in the humanities and social sciences in Japan issued a Joint Statement on November 6th. Since then, the number of co-signers has reached 310. On December 2nd, they issued the same statement in English, gave a press interview and appealed to scholars and citizens worldwide for support and cooperation.

The Science Council of Japan, which is a national academy and not a federation of academic societies, does not directly represent the interests of the societies. Nevertheless, the societies are deeply concerned with the issue as the Prime Minister’s rejection of appointment not only violates the independence of the Science Council of Japan but also further threatens academic freedom, autonomy and democracy in Japan.

See the interview video on the Joint Statement: https://youtu.be/47unG8Y0-JQ

As one of the societies that have co-signed the Joint Statement, hereby the Japanese Psychological Association releases the Joint Statement and also its own petition statement in English.
Please send your supportive message to:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdG8c42G4jnqvV3WygBNkttnEAzIeB-UiHMcOMhtE-INn0z3w/viewform?usp=sf_link

Joint Statement by the Academic Societies of the Humanities and Social Sciences on the Refusal to Appoint Nominees as Council Members to the 25th Term of the Science Council of Japan

Petition: The Science Council of Japan “Request for Appointment of New Members for the 25th Term” (October 2, 2020)

Now accepting online submissions!

Online paper submission for the Japanese Psychological Research (JPR) is now available!

You are invited to submit your paper using either of the following websites:
English: https://jpa.iap-jp.org/jpr/

We recommend that authors refer to the following when writing a paper for Japanese Psychological Research.

If you have any questions about online submission, please email a message to: jpa@psych.or.jp
For more information on Japanese Psychological Research, please visit http://www.wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/jpr.

Revisions to Publications of the Japanese Psychological Association （October 25, 2022）

The Editorial Board of the Japanese Psychological Association (JPA) has decided to revise the categories of manuscripts to be accepted for publication.

Original Article: In principle, research reports that present research problems, and results based on experiments, surveys, or case studies, and theoretical discussions, and clear conclusions. Articles cannot exceed 10,000 words (excluding tables, figures, and references)

Brief report: a brief report contains the following contents: (a) an additional examination of an already published report, (b) the discovery of a new fact, (c) a new important observation, (d) a report of a few cases, (e) results to be published quickly or (f) a report based on exploratory ideas. Articles cannot exceed 5,000 words (excluding tables, figures, and references).

Review: Reports that focus on recent major themes in psychology, explain primary research findings and problems and discuss the significance of current and future studies. Includes Invited Review, which are requested by the Editorial Board. Articles cannot exceed 20,000 words (excluding tables, figures, and references).

These word count limits apply only to the first submission, and must be noted at the
time of submission thereafter.

Executive Editor, JPA Editorial Board

All manuscripts submitted on and after April 1, 2023 should fall under these new categories. Please direct any questions to the JPA Editorial Office.