Crown Prince Naruhito opened the 12th World Congress of Psychiatry in Yokohama on Saturday, sponsored by the World Psychiatric Association and being held in Asia for the first time.

Under the theme "Partnership for Mental Health," the six-day conference at the Pacifico Yokohama Hall aims to highlight the latest developments in psychiatry and psychiatric medication.

It will also focus on the efforts of governments, health care operators and patients to fight the stigma and discrimination associated with mental health problems.

About 7,000 psychiatric experts and others, including an estimated 4,000 delegates from 120 countries and regions, are expected to attend the conference. Some 300 symposiums, 52 workshops and other events will be held.

Participants are expected to issue a statement urging the promotion of mental health welfare.

In his speech to celebrate the opening of the conference, the Crown Prince said he hopes the conference will result in aid to heal mental disease around the world and in the construction of a society in which such patients can live better lives.

The Crown Prince said he hopes it "will also help to promote mental health for everyone and break down the barriers of prejudice toward mental disease."

He added he hopes that the conference will contribute to the progress of psychiatry in Asia and introduce the spiritual culture of the East to the rest of the world.

In his opening address, WPA President Juan Lopez-Ibor said that one of the prime aims of the congress is to "build bridges to overcome the barriers between patients and society.

"In order to do so, we have to fight many injustices that prevail in the world," he said.

The conference has been held once every three to seven years since 1950.