Advance in phlebology in Japan.

Vascular surgery has recently been witnessing remarkable progress in Japan, supported in part by an increase in the number of researchers. Although the actual researchers specializing in the field of phlebology are much fewer in Japan as opposed to the West because of a seemingly lesser number of patients suffering from venous diseases particularly those which are fatal, the participants in the annual meetings of the Japanese Society of Phlebology have shown a gradual increase since 1980. Notably, the 9th World Congress of Phlebology was held in late September 1986 in Kyoto with a great many global authorities giving lectures, presenting papers and discussing a wide range of topics with the 600 participants attending. This event markedly stimulated our phlebologists and will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the level of phlebology in Japan. This positive environment was also given an earlier boost in 1985 by the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare establishing a study group for angiology including phlebology and lymphology. The activity of this group may be a important foundation for the most significant advances in phlebology in Japan.