Abstract
Speech defects and their therapy are studied in Japan under the title of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (onsei gengo igaku). The understanding of human language competence and language defects are achieved through the comparison of deviant and normal behaviour. Also, therapy is extended through the use of artificial organs. One of the problems in the Japanese speech therapy system consisted in the lack of formalization of the qualifications for speech therapists. This problem seems to have been solved through legal acceptance of the qualification called Language and Hearing Therapist (gengo chokakushi) but at present the profession is directing its attention to speech therapy education that aims at still higher levels of medical competence.