[Debate: is the neurology residency program of Japan to be standardized?: "Yes"].

Japanese Neurological Association (JNA) should establish the standardized nationwide neurology residency program, and JNA should disclose the minimal requirements of both knowledge and practice for the board of neurology to the public and guarantee the quality of the neurology specialists. Standardization of the residency program will facilitate not only standardization of the knowledge, skill and art of the neurology specialists but also inter-institutional cooperation among the individual teaching hospitals in completing the training programs for the residents. Neurology professionals whose quality is guaranteed by JNA will satisfy the demands of the patients who want excellent neurological services of high quality and safety, and will be favorably accepted by high level hospitals which supply medical services of high quality. Nationwide standardized neurology residency program will thus be welcomed by both residents who aim for the board of neurology and teaching hospitals which accept the residents. It will facilitate to efficiently educate neurology residents for specialists, and will benefit the patients and hospitals. JNA should establish the standardized neurology residency program as soon as possible and go to action to socially and economically improve the condition and treatment of the specialists (for example; approval of doctor's fee by the government).