Methods to Enhance Accessibility of Japanese Medical Literature in English Journals

Abstract

To address the challenges of accurately citing Japanese medical literature in English journals, the essential guidelines "Citing Medicine" by the National Library of Medicine were reviewed, focusing on practical adjustments to enhance accessibility. Key proposals include the use of persistent identifiers (Digital Object Identifier, PubMed Identifier, and International Standard Book Number), proper citation of online content, and the inclusion of romanized Japanese article titles. The selection of accessible journal titles and the importance of consistency were also discussed to avoid confusion. Given the significant volume of Japanese medical literature, cross-lingual citation is critical for preventing the isolation of scientific discoveries. These proposals highlight the need for improved citation practices to make Japanese research activities more accessible to the global research community.