The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare announced that every year from November 10 to 16, Japan observes "Alcohol-Related Problems Awareness Week," based on the Basic Act on Measures Against Alcohol Health Disorders ^[1]. The ministry said it works with related government bodies to raise public understanding of alcohol dependence and other alcohol-related health disorders during this period ^[1].

On the first day of this year's awareness week, the ministry released videos on YouTube featuring personal accounts and messages related to alcohol dependence ^[1]. According to the ministry, the videos are hosted by entertainer Cunning Takeyama, with guest appearances including manga artist Umimi Saijo, who has a family member affected by alcohol dependence and has experienced dependence herself ^[1]. Other participants named by the ministry include freelance announcer Yuki Matsumaru and Akatsuki Kazama of the certified NPO ASK, who also serves as a manager at the youth aftercare consultation center AWAI ^[1].

The ministry said the first video is part of a series called "Kokoro Cafe – A Night to Talk About Dependence," with this installment titled "Let's Talk About Alcohol Dependence" ^[1]. A second video, titled "Do You Know the Drinking Guidelines?," introduces basic knowledge about drinking and points to be mindful of, based on the ministry's "Guidelines on Drinking with Consideration for Health" ^[1].

Both videos were made available starting at 8 a.m. on November 10, 2026, on the YouTube channel "Izonsho Navi" (Dependence Navigator), the ministry said ^[1]. The ministry also said it has opened a special content page on its portal site, izonsho.mhlw.go.jp, and plans to promote the campaign through various social media channels ^[1].

The ministry added that it plans to release further videos on other forms of dependence, including gambling and gaming disorders, in the future ^[1].

Foreign residents interested in alcohol dependence support or the drinking guidelines mentioned can check the ministry's portal site and YouTube channel named in the announcement for more details ^[1].

Source credit 出典：「アルコール関連問題啓発週間（11月10日～11月16日）に伴い、 YouTube動画を公開します」（厚生労働省）（https://www.mhlw.go.jp/stf/newpage_77189.html）、PDL1.0（https://www.digital.go.jp/resources/open_data/public_data_license_v1.0）を加工してJapan News (j.apan.news)が作成 This article is Japan News's own English summary of the Japanese original. It has been translated and edited by Japan News; it is not an official translation, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare did not write or review it.