[Physiological anthropology in Japan].

In the history of about 100 years of anthropology in Japan, studies of physiological anthropology have made very important contributions from the standpoint of physiological function of mankind. The activity of physiological anthropology in Japan has started systemically November 1978 when the study group was organized under Prof. Keiichi Yoshida as the president and the first meeting was held in February 1979. The study group has developed to Research Society of Physiological Anthropology (President Prof. Keiichi Yosida, October 1982) and then reorganized as Society of Physiological Anthropology (President Prof. Masaro Kaji, Kurume University School of Medicine, April 1987). An increase of members of the Society from 122 in 1982 to 570 in 1991 suggests the prosperity of the study in this field. The Society has two meetings every year since 1979 and the 27th meeting was held last October. The Annals of Physiological Anthropology is published quarterly (will be published bimonthly from 1992) since 1983 and about 300 papers including 116 original articles have been reported. The Annals covers the following fields: Clothing and thermal physiology, Living in normal and abnormal environment, Nutrition and morphology, Sports physiology and medicine, Work physiology, Ergonomics, General physiology and others. In recent progress of science, study in physiological anthropology must respond to various environments in every field of living. The future of physiological anthropology was discussed in the situation of rapidly changing patterns of human life in Japan.