Volume 12, Number 3 | Fall 2017

Conference Report 2A Letter from the 68th General Assembly of The Japan
Society for Oritental Medicine

Kazunari Ozaki

Department of Geriatric Medicine
Itami City Hospital
Itami, Hyogo, Japan

mostly covered by the National Health Insurance
system under a singular medical license system thatis based on Western medicine, thus contributing to
the promotion of patient health. China and Korea on
the other hand, have a dual medical system in which
the medical license for Western (modern) medicine isseparate from that of traditional medicine.

Key words: The Japan Society for OrientalMedicine (JSOM), The 68th General Assembly of
the Japan Society for Oriental Medicine, Kampo
medicine, International Organization for Standard(ISO)The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine (JSOM)is the largest society of Kampo medicine andtraditional medicine, and is one of the most active
medical societies in Japan. As of June 2017, theJSOM has more than 9,000 members, mainlycomprising

1. Foreword
Japanese traditional medicine, known as Kampo,
originates from Chinese traditional medicine but hasdeveloped independently since the 17th century.
There are several reasons for this. Firstly, regarding
the crude drugs used for Kampo preparations, theirorigins

diagnosis and selection of Kampo preparations, isvary

duetodifferences

inregional

characteristics, vegetation, and ethnicities. As aresult, crude drugs with the same name but ofdifferent origins may be found on the market.
Secondly, regarding diagnostic and prescription
theories, differences arose due to the interruption oftransport imposed by Japan’s isolation policy andthe differences in each country’s basic concept oftraditional medicine. Take the example of thedifference in the basic concept between Chinese andJapanese traditional medicine. Chinese traditional
medicine depends on reductionism, such as thetheory of the Five Elements, whereas Japanese

Kampo is based on the relationship between
diagnosis and formula. In selecting each Kampo
preparation, an abdominal examination is more
influential than a pulse examination that Chinese
traditional medicine regards as important. In
addition, intuition “derived from the expert opinions”
of each school as well as tacit knowledge, a way toprolong the understanding of pathophysiology, isphysicians,

pharmacists,andpractitioners of traditional medical techniques(massagers, acupuncturists, and practitioners ofmoxibustion). To achieve the purpose of improving
the quality of life (QOL) of the people, the JSOM wasestablished to organize a global network that sharesinformation on medicine, health, and welfare. TheJSOM joined the Japanese Association of Medical
Sciences in 1991 (1). This fact is considered to signifythat traditional medicine plays an indispensable roleeven for Western medicine.
The 68th General Assembly of the JSOM washeld at the Nagoya Congress Center from June 2 to4, 2017 ( 2 ) ( 3 ). More than 3,000 participants
including researchers, physicians, pharmacists,
practitioners of traditional medical techniques, andordinary citizens, some of whom came from abroad,gathered in this assembly. The participants wereabletoacquireprofessional

credits

qualifications,education

credits

Association,

afrom

seal

to

maintainvarioussuchaslifelong

Japan

Medicalthe(credit)

fortheJapan

Pharmacists Education Center (JPEC) certified
pharmacist or JPEC certified pharmacist in Kampo
and crude drugs, and a point of designated course forcertification from the Japan Society of Acupunctureand Moxibustion.

taken seriously. Modern Japanese Kampo, retaining
the characteristics of traditional medicine in theThe Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

17Volume 12, Number 3 | Fall 2017

2. Sessions
The main theme of this general assembly was the“EstablishmentofKampo

Medicine:

TowardCooperation and Evolution.” Since the 17th century,
the main stream of Japanese Kampo medicine has
been the Koho-ha (or the antiquity school). At
present, diagnostic and therapeutic methods thatdiffer from those of the Koho-ha, such as theGoseiho-ha (or the latter day school), Chinese
traditional medicine, and EBM Kampo, are also
included. It seemed that the basis of the above theme
was the idea that various schools should “cooperate”
in the establishment and “evolution” of new
Japanese Kampo medicine and integrative medicine.

Nearly 300 events such as lectures and poster
presentations were held, including lectures based onclinical practice and research on Kampo prescriptions(Kampo extract formulations for prescriptions andKampo decoctions) and acupuncture/moxibustion.
Some lecture rooms were packed to overflowing,standing room only. Educational seminars forclinicians, practitioners of acupuncture/moxibustion,and pharmacists were also held, as well as openlectures for citizens and many company and book
exhibitions. Summaries of the main lectures areshown below in chronological order.

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The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 12, Number 3 | Fall 2017

3. Highlights of the Conference
Among the sessions on the afternoon of June 2,of Standardization of Traditional Medicine by theInternational

Organization

forStandardization

titled “The Impact of Traditional Medicine on the(ISO),” which explained the movement of ISO, theTreatment of Olfactory Disturbance,” included themovement of China at Technical Committees 215

following lectures: “The Mechanism and Treatment

and 249 in particular, as well as the nature ofof Olfactory Disturbance” by Keiichi Ichimurainternational(Ishibashi General Hospital), “The Treatment ofmovements of traditional medicine. Next, Takao

Olfactory Disturbance by Kampo” by Keiko Ogawa

Namiki (Chiba University) delivered a lecture titled(Kanazawa University), and “The Treatment of“Details

Olfactory Disturbance with Kampo Prescriptions:

Traditional

Current State and Future Prospects” by Takaki

International Statistical Classification of Diseases

Miwa (Kanazawa University).

and Related Health Problems (ICD)-11,” whichofstandardizationtheIntroduction

Medicineandofrelated

East

AsianClassification

intoAmong the sessions on the morning of June 3

explained the details of the introduction of diseases

was a lecture by the head of the assembly, Yukio

in traditional medicine into the revision of the ICD-Kaneko (Kaneko Clinic), titled “Learning Shanghan

10 (editing of the ICD-11) by the WHO. The lecturer

Zabing Lun [Treatise on Cold Pathogenic andemphasized that the publication of this new edition,

Miscellaneous Diseases]: From Zhang Zhong Jing tosignifying the introduction of traditional medicine

Ye Tian Shi,” that discussed and introduced theinto the ICD, will be a revolutionary event for thedifference between the Keiho and the study of warm

ICD because its range has been limited to diseases

diseases. The former is a set of formulas specified inin Western medicine since 1900. Next, Michiho Ito

Shang Han Lun [Treatise On Cold PathogenicDisease] and Jin Gui Yao Lue [Treatise On Essential(Kyoto

Prescriptions of the Golden Casket] by Zhang

which disclosed the hardships experienced by theZhongjing. The latter is a study on the treatment ofmanaging editors during editing of the ICD-11 by thedisorders resulting from warmness and infectious

WHO. According to this lecture, one idea indiseases, founded by Wu Youke, author of Wenyi Lun

introducing traditional medicine into the ICD was to[Treatise On Warm Epidemic Disease], which wasincorporate knowledge of Chinese, Korean, andestablished by Ye Tian Shi and propagated by Wu JuJapanese traditional medicines. These medicinesTong.)

have gone through ample clinical tests and areUniversity)

deliveredalecture

titled“Meeting of Managing Editors: Their Struggle,”

A joint symposium of the international andscientifically well studied. With their introduction,terminology committees was held on the afternoon offinancial support can be expected. However, theJune 3, comprising seven lectures. First, Keiko

editors are aiming to publish a comprehensive

Ogawa (Kanazawa University) delivered a lecture

edition (“Mickey Mouse model”) that incorporates

titled “Realities of Kampo Medicine in Europe,”

not only what the three medicines have in common,

which reported the realities of traditional medicine

but also that which distinguishes them from onein Europe, as observed mainly from Germany. Next,

another. Tadashi Watsuji (Meiji University ofYuji Miyauchi (Tokyo University) delivered a lecture

Integrative Medicine) and Toshihiro Togo (Tokyotitled “The Current State of China,” which reported

Ariake University of Medical and Health Sciences)

the abundance of human resources, especially in thepresented “Clinical Manifestations for Acupuncture

younger generation, and the social evolution inand Moxibustion in ICD-11: a Proposal of Meridian

China. Next, Yasuyuki Hirose (University of theManifestations,”

Ryukyus) delivered a lecture titled “The Movement

manifestations of 12 main meridians and eightwhichThe Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

explained

howclinical19

Volume 12, Number 3 | Fall 2017

extraordinary meridians came to be presented in theSpecialist:

AReportfromShikoku.”

TheICD-11β in September 2016, as well as their current

presentation proposed “the following four points asstate.

the grounding required for Kampo specialists: (1) Do
not lose sight of the forest for the trees; (2) Acquire

Symposium 17, “Current State and Futuredetailed knowledge on crude drugs; (3) A deepened

Prospect of Kampo Education,” was a session on theunderstanding of acupuncture and moxibustion; (4)morning of June 4 in which five lectures wereSupport junior colleagues and aim to undertake

delivered. First, Juichi Sato (Nagoya University)

global activities with them in the future.” Next,

delivered a lecture titled “Draft Core Curriculum for

Norio Iizuka (Hiroshima University) et al. presented

Pre-graduate Education of Kampo Medicine: Aiming“Kampo Education in the Era of the Internet,” whichat an Introduction into the State Examination,”showed that “standardization of the evaluation

followed by a lecture by Makoto Arai (Tokaisystem in Kampo education details will be possible

University) titled “Current State and Problems ofby pooling questions evaluating achievement andPre-graduate Education of Kampo Medicine.” Theprofiling contents of the questions on the basis oflatter reported that “in 98% of Japanese medical

difficulty.

colleges, Kampo medicine has been incorporated into

On the afternoon of June 4, five students made a

pre-graduate education and that in 84% of them,presentation in a “student session.” I had thefour or more classes are held before graduation.”

impression that together with the sessions in

Next, Shin Takayama (Tohoku University) et al.

Symposium 17 in the morning, presentations onpresented “Education of Early-phase Residents in

Kampo education have become popular. The same

Kampo Medicine: A View Derived from Our

evening, there was an open lecture for citizens titled

Questionnaire Survey.” In their survey, 121 early-“Happyphase residents from the following six hospitals

Acupuncture, and Moxibustion: the Blessing ofanswered the questionnaire (response rate, 74%):

Oxytocin, Pre-symptomatic States, and Healthcare.”Tohoku University Hospital, Japanese Red Cross

With a large audience in attendance, I felt that theIshinomaki Hospital, Yamagata Prefectural Central

propagation of Kampo knowledge to citizens isHospital, Aomori Prefectural Central Hospital,successfully progressing.

LivingbytheWisdomofKampo,

Yamagata University Hospital, and Sendai Red
Cross Hospital. The result showed that 96% of the4. Concluding remarks and about the upcoming

respondents “had experienced pre-graduate Kampo

congresseseducation” and 41% felt that “their pre-graduate

All the participants agreed that the General

Kampo education was instrumental in their clinicalpractice.” In addition, 74% thought that “Kampo

Assembly was an academic event of Kampo medicine

education is needed during the early phases ofphysicians of the Kampo medicine have obligation toresidency.” Takayama et al. concluded that in future,

improve the quality of life (QOL) of people all overearly-phase residents should be taught how to use

the world by sharing study results on health, welfare,Kampo formulas in general practice, and that theand medical science. There will be the 69th Generaldevelopment of a consistent educational program

Assembly of The Japan Society for Oriental Medicine

that covers the pre-graduate and post-graduate

in Osaka, Japan (June 8-10, 2018)(4) The theme ofphases, will be necessary. Next, Denichiro Yamaoka

this future conference will be “To display Kampo’s(Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital) presented

ability: Clinical Importance and Healing Power.” InKampo

view of JSOM’s long experience in organizing key“Aiming20atBecoming

aWorld-classwith high level and standard. The researchers andThe Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

Volume 12, Number 3 | Fall 2017

events and of the city’s main congress facilities, the69th General Assembly of the Japan Society for
Oriental Medicine 2018 will be sure not to dissatisfy.
Acknowledgements: I wish to thank Ms. Tabei (therepresentative director and the chief editor of theKANPO IYAKU SHINBUN) for the photographs she
has donated to the paper.

1

Homepage of the Japanese Association of MedicalSciences. http://jams.med.or.jp/members-s/87.html [thelast date of access August 1, 2017]2
Homepage of the 68th General Assembly of the Japan
Society for Oriental Medicine.
http://www.pcojapan.jp/jsom68/ [the last date of accessAugust 1, 2017]3
Abstracts of the 68th General Assembly of the Japan
Society for Oriental Medicine. Kampo Medicine (extraissue), 2017; 68: 1-451. (第68回日本東洋医学会学術総会 講演要旨集. 日本東洋医学雑誌, 2017; 68 別冊号: 1-451.)
4
Homepage of the 69th General Assembly of The
Japan Society for Oriental Medicine
http://convention.jtbcom.co.jp/69jsom/index.html (the lastdate of access Oct.30,2017) KANPO IYAKUSHINBUN for the photographs she has donated tothe paper.http://convention.jtbcom.co.jp/69jsom/index.html(the last date of access Oct.30,2017)

The Journal of Kampo, Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (KAIM)

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