Specialist training and certification process for anaesthesiologist in Japan.

Anaesthesiology is the first medical specialty in Japan to be legislated for training and certification by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Japanese Society of Anaesthesiologists (JSA) is the regulating body since 1960. Consultants or independent specialists in anaesthesiology are known as Diplomates of the Board of JSA. Diplomates need 5 years of anaesthesia training before completion of the Board examination. This national examination system has a written, oral, on-site evaluation and demonstration of research by credit accumulation. Presently, 34% of post-anaesthesia trainees are Diplomates and this is an increasing trend. Recertification is mandatory with continued medical education as the Diplomate status is valid for 5 years only.