Education in clinical chemistry in Japan.

In Japan, the education of clinical chemists has mainly depended on personal efforts of individuals in medical schools, pharmacy schools and independent laboratories for medical analysis. Through the Board of Clinical Pathologists, the Japanese Society of Clinical Pathology at present provides certification in clinical chemistry as a subspecialty to physicians and the Society also certifies medical technologists at two levels for several subspecialties, including clinical chemistry. At the same time, the Education Committee of the Japanese Society of Clinical Chemistry offers annual summer and winter seminars for continuing education. In the future, these programs will be integrated into a regular postgraduate continuing education structure. However, it is urgent for the Japanese Society of Clinical Chemistry to establish alternate qualification and certification programs for clinical chemists.