TOKYO — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced this month that its Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Family Services division will hold an online “Pornography Treatment Group” for male members in Japan, aimed at those whose progress on the covenant path has been hindered by an inability to break free from pornography use.
In its September 6 announcement, the Church said that struggling with the temptation of pornography despite a sincere desire to live worthily can damage self-esteem and relationships, and can cause some members to lose faith and hope. The treatment group was described as a private counseling group offering psychoeducation and support for pornography-related struggles, with participants required to maintain confidentiality and show respect toward one another throughout the program.
The program will run for 10 sessions of 90 minutes each, meeting online via Zoom every Saturday at approximately 7 a.m., excluding holidays. It is expected to begin the first Saturday of October, though the Church noted the start date could shift depending on participants’ readiness. The group will be limited to six to ten participants and will be led by Sister Yayoi Iwanami, a psychological counselor, and Brother Makoto Ueno, a program specialist.
To join, applicants must be male members of the Church, demonstrate a strong personal commitment to overcoming the habit, and obtain a recommendation from their bishop. Participants must also be able to access the Zoom meeting platform. The Church said there is no cost to participants, though it bears significant expense to run the program, and it asks those who join to commit to attending all 10 sessions and applying what they learn.
Those interested in the program are asked to speak with their bishop or branch president before applying.
The announcement also pointed members toward other addiction recovery resources offered by the Church, including weekly “Healed through Him” addiction recovery support meetings held both in person and online through local stakes. A Japanese-language meeting hosted by Family Services is held online Wednesdays from 9 to 10 p.m., and an English-language meeting hosted by the Tokyo South Stake is held online Thursdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Those meetings are open to members and nonmembers alike, regardless of gender, and to family members and friends supporting someone in recovery. Participants may join anonymously and with their cameras off.
The Church noted that additional resources on pornography and addiction recovery are available through the Gospel Library’s Life Help section.
Inquiries about the program may be directed to Brother Makoto Ueno at Family Services ([email protected]).
