On Sunday, September 21, 2025, our organization hosted the “Japan-UK International Conference on Gambling Addiction Countermeasures” at Hitotsubashi Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. The event concluded successfully with a full house, drawing 521 participants.

This conference featured reports and discussions from experts in various fields on gambling addiction countermeasures in both Japan and the UK. From the UK, speakers included Charles Richie and Liz Richie, co-founders of the MBE-awarded charity Gambling with Lives, and Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder and director of Gamban. They introduced advanced UK initiatives such as betting limits and the removal of gambling advertisements from sports venues and the Underground, drawing significant interest from attendees.

From Japan, Mr. Juichi Yamaguchi, President and Representative Director of Yomiuri Shimbun Group Headquarters, explained the current state and challenges of online casinos, particularly sports betting. Furthermore, Dr. Toshihiko Matsumoto, a psychiatrist at the National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, gave a lecture on the relationship between gambling addiction and suicide, demonstrating that addiction is a disease influenced not only by individual responsibility but also by social factors and systems. Our association’s representative, Noriko Tanaka, also took the stage. She spoke about the challenges and necessity of support seen from the frontlines of assisting individuals with addiction and their families, as well as the role society should play in supporting recovery.

Participants expressed surprise and learned from the specific examples of UK initiatives, while also being deeply moved by the shared experiences of families affected by addiction and suicide. Through examining cases and approaches from both Japan and the UK, the importance of broadening societal understanding of addiction was reaffirmed.

This conference provided a valuable opportunity to promote accurate understanding and support measures for addiction, as well as to learn about the UK’s advanced initiatives. Our association will continue to strengthen prevention and support measures while actively engaging in advocacy efforts with the national government.