We conducted four web-based tests on Kampo medicine for medical professionals nationwide. A total of 1,703 people took the test, including 773 doctors and 843 pharmacists. The academic abilities of the test-takers categorized by occupation was evaluated based on the results of 85 questions across the four tests. These questions covered five areas : Kampo history, Kampo theory and medical examination, Kampo pharmacology, clinical cases, and traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture. For the 85 questions, the average correct answer rate was 62.7%, and the average discrimination index was 0.51, indicating that the tests were of good quality. In the area of theory and examination, doctors had a higher average correct answer rate than pharmacists (73.4% vs. 65.6%, p=0.07). The average scores of Kampo specialists were significantly higher than those of non-Kampo specialists across all tests (84.0 vs. 67.1, 72.4 vs. 56.0, 79.3 vs. 64.0, 76.2 vs. 51.7, all p＜0.05). Among 44 examinees who took the four tests in order of release, the average standard deviation of score was not significantly different between the first and final tests （53.6 vs. 53.4, p=1.00）, indicating no improvement in academic ability by taking the tests multiple time.

Based on the classification of six-meridian diseases, this paper summarizes the data of the abdominal examination of the articles written by the predecessors and Yumoto Kyushin from the viewpoint of the fusion of Eastern and Western medicine in Kokan’igaku (皇漢医学). We hope that the above contents can be used as a reference for clinical practice. According to the classification of the six-meridian diseases in Kokan’igaku, the vocabulary for describing the abdominal indications, abdominal examination and subjective symptoms of the patient in the book were counted, and objectively presented in chart form. Through the analysis of the abdominal pattern locations, it was found that Kokan’igaku offers an expanded interpretation, in relation to the abdominal patterns of taiyo and shoyo diseases. Symptomatically, descriptions are largely consistent with the original text of Shanghanlun (傷寒論). Furthermore, correspondence between prescriptions and abdominal patterns based on the Koho school’s formula-pattern (hosho) matching theory was also identified. In conclusion, the abdominal patterns associated with six-meridian diseases in Kokan’igaku partially align with those described in Shanghanlun, while also expanding upon their contents especially in terms of the disease locations of abdominal patterns.

The conventional approach to managing ear-related symptoms―regarded as minor troubles during pregnancy―has been to alleviate patients’ anxiety by explaining that these symptoms typically improve after childbirth. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of using press tack needles as a treatment method. The subjects consisted of 19 pregnant patients who visited our hospital and received press tack needle treatment between December 2017 and March 2024. Press tack needles were applied to the affected side at the Yifeng (TE17) acupuncture point. The treatment effects were analyzed based on medical records. The average patient age was 30.2 years (SD 3.9), with treatment starting at an average gestational age of 20.8 weeks (SD 8.7). The symptoms affected the right side in 7 cases, the left side in 5 cases, and both sides in 7 cases. Following treatment, symptoms resolved in 10 cases, improved in 8 cases, and showed no change in 1 case. TE17 is part of the Lesser Yang Triple Energizer Meridian and is known for its efficacy in treating ear conditions. The sustained and localized stimulation provided by the press tack needle acupuncture is believed to contribute to symptom stabilization. The use of press tack needles is a simple and effective treatment for ear symptoms in pregnant women.

The patient was a woman in her 70s. Eight years previously, she began experiencing unexplained pain and numbness in both lower legs, accompanied by involuntary toe movements. Despite evaluations at multiple medical institutions, the cause remained unclear. While diagnosed with restless legs syndrome at one facility and treated with conventional medications, her symptoms persisted. After visiting our hospital, she was diagnosed with painful legs and moving toes syndrome (PLMT) following further investigation. Treatment with mirogabalin and amitriptyline proved ineffective and caused significant side effects. Based on traditional Kampo medicine assessment, her condition was classified as “yin deficiency with fluid disturbance and interior cold.” She was treated with shimbuto, which alleviated her lower leg pain, numbness, and involuntary toe movements. The addition of bushi (processed aconite root) and gradual dosage increases led to further symptom improvement. This case suggests that Kampo medicine may serve as a therapeutic option for patients with PLMT unresponsive to conventional treatments.

This report presents a case of a 20-year-old man diagnosed with intramural duodenal hematoma due to abdominal trauma. The patient was hospitalized and conservatively started on rikkunshito. The patient complained of abdominal distention and nausea on the sixth day of hospitalization, prompting an abdominal computed tomography scan, which revealed the size of the intramural duodenal hematoma to be 70 mm in diameter. Considering the obstruction caused by the hematoma, a nasogastric tube was placed, and treatment with keishibukuryogan was initiated. Subsequently, symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain were relieved, and the hematoma was reduced to 22 mm in diameter. As rikkunshito promotes peristalsis in the upper gastrointestinal tract and keishibukuryogan helps reduce the size of the hematoma, the use of these medications should be considered when signs of compression are observed due to an intraduodenal hematoma.

Disease classifications and the terms used in Traditional East Asian medicine have been incorporated into the Supplementary Chapter Traditional Medicine Conditions ― Module I in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 11th Revision (ICD-11TM1). The classification and terms representing each category proposed by Japan were also included. However, there are still unclear points regarding the documents on which the Japanese proposal was based and the process of its creation. Thus, this study aims to gather these documents systematically. To achieve this goal, minutes from organizations involved in the specification of the terms were collected, interviews with related parties were conducted, and literature searches were performed. Although little information from the primary organizations involved with the creation of terms was obtained, interviews and lectures from stakeholders confirmed that Ling Shu’s “The Conduit Vessel (Chapter 10)” and Li Shizhen’s “Qijing Bamai Kao” were used as the foundational sources for the classification in the acupuncture field. The primary sources for Japanese Traditional Medicine terms were identified as research reports funded by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare between 2006 and 2017 and field test reports conducted by the World Health Organization Family of International Classifications Collaborating Centre. Moving forward, the aim is to create a database of the supporting information for these terms and make it publicly accessible online.

At the 74th Annual Meeting of the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine, a symposium entitled “Kampo Treatment in Breast Disease’ was held. The symposium provided an overview of both benign and malignant breast diseases, followed by lectures on topics including “Kampo therapy as supportive therapy for breast cancer treatment,” “Kampo therapy for breast cancer at university hospitals,’ ‘Attempts at Kampo therapy for mastopathy,” “A case of preoperative prophylactic administration of hangekobokuto in a breast cancer patient complicated with progressive supranuclear palsy,” and “Clinical research efforts in Kampo therapy for multiple complaints associated with breast cancer treatment.” Kampo medicine may improve symptoms in the life cycle of women. However, there are concerns regarding the level of recognition and trust in physicians who prescribe Kampo treatment. Additionally, the lack of research reports that could be used as scientific evidence remains a significant challenge, and further academic development and progress are needed in the future.

As clinical research on Kampo medicines increases, evidence supporting their efficacy and safety of Kampo medicines is growing. Conducting clinical research requires a wide range of skills, including an understanding of research design, ethical review, data collection and statistical analysis. At the 41st Annual Congress of the Japan Society for Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Traditional Medicine, we organized a clinical research workshop entitled “Let’s try taking part in Kampo clinical research training” to provide Kampo doctors and pharmacists with knowledge about clinical research and facilitate their participation in research. The workshop included exchanging information on clinical research issues, understanding the process of clinical research design and ethical review, experiencing data entry from mock case records, and learning the basics of statistical analysis. Group discussions were also held to discuss problems and future prospects. In recent years, research utilizing large datasets and clinical data collection, with academic societies playing a central role. To better prepare for this research, such a program should be held on a regular basis.

The 11th edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), which introduced a new chapter on traditional medicine, came into effect in 2022. After its implementation in 2022, the process has now shifted to the maintenance and management phase of ICD-11. The maintenance and management of ICD-11 are overseen by the World Health Organization (WHO) Family of International Classifications Network. This network comprises WHO Collaborating Centers for the Family of International Classifications, which include governmental and research institutions from various countries. In Japan, the WHO Collaborating Center for the Family of International Classifications is the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and the Japan Liaison of Oriental Medicine which participates as a member of the domestic cooperating center network. The activities of the WHO Family of International Classifications are carried out by five committees and six groups. Among them, the Traditional Medicine Group operates in coordination with other committees and groups. Their main activities include : (1) implementing of the traditional medicine classification, (2) developing educational tools, (3) developing classifications for Indian traditional medicines, and (4) developing classifications for interventions. In order to promptly respond to the activities of the Traditional Medicine Group, it is necessary to establish a robust framework within Japan.