The Philosophy of Support and Care at JAFAREC
Back in the 1990s, developed from support centers such as “Men’s anxiety hotline” and “Men’s anti-violence groupwork” based on the ideas behind men’s liberation movement, the “Men’s support room” was created. This was farther expanded to provide support and care for all genders, not regarding gender difference as the cause of relationship problems. Thus JAFAREC was established in 2003. The center offers counseling and workshops, as well as providing shelters and supporting visitations, all without external contractors or funding. The support structure is entirely client-focused, also encouraging mutual support and care amongst themselves. In addition, the center incorporates the familial functions that are being lost in the modern society into its therapy and counseling. Such at-home environment nurtures the clients, helping their mental regrowth, and alleviates their violent characteristic, which often arise from lack of care and love in their upbringing.
Domestic violence, physical or mental, is about the power control imposed by the strong on the weak; such power and authority structure exists in every culture. However, the violence resulting from power control cannot be prevented simply by enacting relevant laws. The clients benefiting from our “men’s therapy” return to society with renewed respect for individuals, waiving their power control. Their individual contribution may be small, but over time they can help to reform the power-free society. In the century with every increasing conflicts and divisions, what the world needs the most is the relationship between individuals that is free from power control, and restore the familial, caring functions back into society.
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Michiaki ‘Mich’ Ajisawa

One of the forerunners of the men’s liberation movement in Japan in 1990s, continuing to advocate pro-feminism men’s movement and offering client-focused counseling. Founded the JAFAREC in 2003 and continues to be the representative. At the center, he has carried out well over 7,000 counseling sessions by himself, as well as offering shelters and visitation support. Also offers weekly workshops in Kyoto and Osaka, as well as extended sessions in Tokyo every month, totaling over 1,500 sessions to date.
Reality of Domestic Violence in Japan
*English subtitle is available in the video
Number of Counseling sessions and Gender of Our Clients


Publications

Recovery from Domestic Violence, continued: Victims and perpetrators speak of “support without harm”
by Michiaki Ajisawa, Kazunori Nakamura
Publication date: September 18, 2018
Language: Japanese
Available at Amazon Japan>>
Recovery from Domestic Violence: Proposals and challenges to end domestic violence
by Michiaki Ajisawa, Michiko Saito, Yasufumi Kawashima
Publication date: February 9, 2016
Language: Japanese
Available at Amazon Japan>>


The Practice of Men’s Counseling
by Michiaki Ajisawa
Language: Japanese

Good and Easy Cooking, and Life
by Michiaki Ajisawa
Language: Japanese
Currently not available

Report of the Japan Congress of Men’s Studies: Vol. 1 ~ 5
by JAFAREC
Language: Japanese