2019 Volume 39 Issue 5 Pages 586-591
The social standing of anesthesiologists in Japan was historically reviewed. In 1960, Anesthesiology was accredited as a specially approved medical specialty for approving registered anesthesiologists. Exclusive training for more than two years under an adequate mentor is required for candidates to be qualified as registered anesthesiologists. In 1962, the Japan Society of Anesthesiology（JSA）established a system to qualify board-certified anesthesiologists as proper mentors responsible for the training of candidates. The society launched the first qualification system in the history of medical practice in Japan. Although the system contributed to greater recognition from the medical community, public recognition of the system and board-qualified anesthesiologists has not been adequately achieved. The JSA should provide to society authentic information about anesthesiology and anesthesiologists.
