School refusal in Japan: The recent dramatic increase in incidence is a cause for concern

The incidence of non-attendance of school in Japan has increased substantially over the last 10 years and there are no signs of any reversal in this trend. Details of the incidence over time, ages of the children and diagnostic categories are presented and related to prognosis. A group of children who did not attend school and who were seen in the clinic in Fukuoka city is analysed and the results presented.