AbstractOur discussion is based on the psychoanalytic theory of Freud. We, however, discuss a case of neurotic depression which is not considered a subtype in Freud's concept of neurosis. We discuss the difference between culture and civilization, referring to what Freud discussed inTotem and TabooandMoses and Monotheism.We then discuss two matters specific to Japanese culture; the assimilation of foreign cultures, and the sexual differences found in Japanese culture. On the basis of these discussions, we attempt to link these with the problem of structure of the neurotic depression. We conclude with Confucianism which we can consider as relative to the East‐Asian worl