[The role of the psychiatrist under different cultural conditions. A comparison between Germany and Japan].

The psychiatrist's role and its preconditions in Japan and Germany are described. Proceedings from different cultural, historical and psychological conditions, it is shown that, in a similar technological environment, substantially more traditional ideas and means of therapy have been preserved in Japan than in Germany. Similar biographical experiences of patient and doctor in Japan create an a priori basis of understanding, which facilitates the start of therapy. Cultural consistency and group cohesion and their influence on psychotherapy and mutual dependency of doctor and patient are discussed.