Most prefectural governments and major cities have yet to adopt any measures regarding the transfer of mental patients from homes to hospitals when a move of this kind is requested by patients' families, according to Health Ministry sources.

This is despite the introduction of a system to deal with cases of this nature in April, the sources said.

Under the system, 47 prefectural governments and 12 major cities are meant to transfer mental patients diagnosed as requiring hospitalization should their families request it, with the central government paying half the transfer costs.

In a Health Ministry survey conducted in October, however, only three prefectural governments -- Fukushima, Shimane and Okayama -- said they are able to respond to such requests during holidays or at night.

According to survey responses, 19 prefectural governments and cities have prepared detailed procedures and have designated hospitals. Some 16 of them said, however, that they can only respond during office hours on weekdays.

Given these shortfalls, the ministry has directed local governments to employ the necessary personnel and to proceed urgently with preparations through discussions with related organizations such as hospitals, the sources said.

They also cited human rights issues, noting that some families ask private operators to transfer mental patients forcibly, and said delays in preparation will aggravate this situation.

The local governments are also required to transfer, without the consent of families, mental patients who, in the opinion of governors or mayors, may cause harm to themselves or others.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry found that 25 prefectural governments and cities have not adopted measures to deal with these contingencies and has asked them to address the situation.