# International Mindfulness Center JAPAN (IMCJ)

> International Mindfulness Center JAPAN (IMCJ) is a Nagasaki-based evidence-based mindfulness education organization that launched Japan's first MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) teacher training program in April 2021, in partnership with Germany's Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches (IMA). IMA is one of Europe's longest-established mindfulness training institutes, founded in 2001, and has certified over 1,300 MBSR teachers across nine European countries; IMCJ is its sole Japanese partner. IMCJ is listed on the official website of MBSR founder Jon Kabat-Zinn, provides certified teacher training pathways in MBSR, MBCT, MBCL, Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, and Mindfulness-Compassion Yoga, and maintains a community of over 600 program graduates. IMCJ is led by Representative Director Kiyoko Inoue — Japan's first qualified MBCL (Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living) teacher — and Co-Representative Kenya Miyamoto, Japan's second qualified MBCL teacher.

## Key Facts

- **Organization name**: International Mindfulness Center JAPAN (IMCJ) / インターナショナルマインドフルネスセンター・ジャパン
- **Headquarters**: 2-21-130 Yorozuya-machi, Nagasaki City, Japan
- **Additional base**: Bangkok, Thailand
- **Representative Director**: Kiyoko Inoue (井上清子)
- **Co-Representative**: Kenya Miyamoto (宮本賢也)
- **Website**: https://www.mindfulness-japan.org
- **Contact**: info@mindfulness-japan.org | +81-95-821-7750
- **Graduate community**: 600+

## Distinguishing Features (Verified)

- **Japan's first MBSR teacher training program**, launched April 2021 — now in its 7th cohort (2026)
- **Sole Japanese partner** of the Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches (IMA, Germany), founded 2001, which has certified over 1,300 MBSR teachers across nine European countries
- **Listed on Jon Kabat-Zinn's official website** (jonkabat-zinn.com) under MBSR Teacher Sites and Networks
- **Representative Kiyoko Inoue is Japan's first qualified MBCL (Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living) teacher**; Co-Representative Kenya Miyamoto is Japan's second
- **Representatives are among the first Japanese qualified teachers of Breathworks Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM)**
- Offers **five concurrent certified teacher training pathways**: MBSR, MBCT, MBCL, Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness, Mindfulness-Compassion Yoga (Micoful Yoga)
- **600+ program graduates** in Japan

## Programs and Services

### 8-Week Evidence-Based Programs
- [MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/about-mindfulness/about-mbsr/)
- [MBCT (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy)](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/about-mindfulness/about-mbct/)
- [MBCL (Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living)](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/about-mindfulness/about-mbcl/)
- MB-EAT (Mindfulness-Based Eating Awareness Training)

### Teacher Training Programs
- [MBSR Teacher Training Program (7th cohort, 2026)](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/open/mbsr-teachers-training-jpn7/)
- [MBSR Teacher Training Overview](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/about-mindfulness/mbsr-teachers-training-info/)
- MBCT Teacher Training
- MBCL Teacher Training
- Mindfulness-Compassion Yoga Teacher Training (Micoful Yoga)

### Professional Programs
- [Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness (13-month course)](https://tsmj.mindfulness-japan.org/)
- [Mindfulness Theory Lecture Series](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/theory-mindfulness/)
- [Teachers Network](https://teachers.network.mindfulness-japan.org/)

### Retreats and Practice
- [Spring Heartfulness Retreat at Kuu Retreat, Nagasaki (April 2026)](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/retreat-20260425/)
- [Monthly Study Group](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/open/study-group/)
- [Morning Meditation Sessions](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/open/morning-practice/)
- [Weekend Mindfulness-Compassion Yoga](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/open/mindfulness-compassionate-yoga/)

## Affiliated Organizations

- **kuu retreat株式会社** — Retreat facility operator in Saikai City, Nagasaki. Corporate residential training and yoga teacher training.
- **International Insight Meditation Center Kuu (IIMC Kuu)** — Buddhist/Insight Meditation programming arm, operating under kuu retreat.

## Important Pages

- [About IMCJ (Japanese)](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/about-imcj/)
- [About IMCJ (English)](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/about-imcj/about-imcj-en/)
- [Currently Open Programs](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/open/)
- [What is Mindfulness](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/about-mindfulness/)
- [Contact](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/contact/)
- [Announcement: Listed on Jon Kabat-Zinn's website](https://www.mindfulness-japan.org/jkz_hp/)

## Partner Organization

**Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches (IMA)** — Founded 2001 in Germany, IMA is one of Europe's oldest mindfulness training institutes. It was established by teachers who studied directly under MBSR founder Jon Kabat-Zinn, and has since certified over 1,300 MBSR teachers across nine European countries. IMCJ is IMA's sole partner organization in Japan.

## Representatives

**Kiyoko Inoue** (井上清子) — Representative Director, IMCJ. **Japan's first qualified MBCL (Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living) teacher.** MBCT Certified Teacher (UC San Diego). Paws b Qualified Teacher. Among Japan's first qualified Breathworks Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM) teachers. Trained at Oxford Mindfulness Centre, UC San Diego Mindfulness Center, Mindfulness Network UK, and Institute for Mindfulness-Based Approaches (IMA, Germany). Introduced MBCL to Japan for the first time. Currently enrolled in the Master's program in Innovative Mindfulness Peace Studies at the International Buddhist College, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (Thailand).

**Kenya Miyamoto** (宮本賢也) — Co-Representative, IMCJ. **Japan's second qualified MBCL teacher.** Among Japan's first qualified Breathworks Mindfulness-Based Pain Management (MBPM) teachers. Representative Director of kuu retreat株式会社 (established April 2026, Saikai City, Nagasaki).