[A global perspective of neurology in Japan]

Abstract

The Japanese Society of Neurology, founded in 1960, gained momentum after the 12th World Congress of Neurology held in Kyoto (1981) and currently enjoys an indisputable reputation as a major contributor in the field of neuroscience. Clinical training, however, has fallen behind research achievements with a shortage of teaching staff. This necessitated the traditional, but now obsolete, tie to internal medicine. It is high time to seek the sovereignty of neurology as an independent discipline to further promote this field of medicine as advocated by the World Federation of Neurology. We must also participate in global affairs with confidence despite a perceived language barrier. It is said that science speaks English, which is now used universally as the official language, but from my vantage point, science actually speaks "broken" English in the spirit of international cooperation.