Evolution of specialist treatment of gaming disorder and internet addiction in Japan

The results suggested that the service delivery system for GD and IA has rapidly developed, driven by treatment facilities in response to growing treatment and consultation demand, which may be characteristic of, or even unique to Japan. The results also suggested that specialization of treatment programs and the skills of specialists in managing difficulties in the course of treatment may have advanced in a relatively brief period of time. Challenges to be addressed include a widening gap between the numbers of treatment seekers and the capacity of treatment providers, together with the skewed geographical distribution of facilities.