Tbilisi state university

Medical faculty

Medicine in
Japan
Ana Urushadze
 JAPAN
Japan is an island country located in northeast asia.

Japan’s history has often been one characterized by

expansionism but after the Second World War Japan
has remade itself into a self focused country.

Japan is densely populated and has over 125 million

inhabitants. ( Japanese 98.1%, Chinese 0.5%, Korean
0.4%, other 1%)
Health in Japan
The country has a high standard of living,
however because of Japan’s low birth rate and
high life expectancy it’s population has aged
considerably since the mid 20th century.
The country has one of the most comprehensive
healthcare systems in the world.

cancer has been the leading cause of death in

Japan for last 40 years. Conversely, the rate for
cerebrovascular diseases (formerly the highest)
generally has declined. Other leading causes of
death include heart disease, pneumonia,
accidents, and suicide.
 Folk Medicine
Japanese folk medicine has a rich
history of natural remedies and holistic
healing practices. it's goal is not only
treating a disease but also preventing
it. Harmony is essential for this
philosophy, which means achieving
equilibrium within the body and it's
environment .
 The japanese term for this is Wa which
translates to peace or harmony. In the
context of health wa means that all the
parts of the body function together in a
balanced way. Japanese believe that
body, mind and spirit are deeply
intertwined. physical health is seen as a
reflection of mental and spiritual health
and vice versa. illness is not seen as only
physical problem but also as a disruption
of the entire system.
 The Four Elements
In the past the Japanese believed that the four
elements determined how body functions. Japan’s
Second emperor in 6th century B.C said: “It is
discovered by the great skill of the heavenly
gods that the human body is made of four
elements, wind, fire, water and earth, and by
their combination to possess the body with the
soul.” This was also the teaching of Empodocles, the
greek philosopher (450 B.C).

The Japanese regarded the cause of disease as

originating either from the spirit of air or of water.
 Kampo (漢方医学)
Kampo (漢方医学) is the study of traditional
chinese medicine in Japan. It subsequently
developed into a unique form of medicine
by adapting to the climate and culture of
Japan.
Traditional Japanese medicine uses
following methods: acupuncture,
moxibustion, traditional food therapy,
traditional chinese herbology, shiatsu.
 Shiatsu
.The Japanese Ministry of Health defines
shiatsu as "a form of manipulation by
thumbs, fingers and palms without the
use of instruments, mechanical or
otherwise, to apply pressure to the human
skin to correct internal malfunctions,
promote and maintain health, and treat
specific diseases. The techniques used in
shiatsu include stretching, holding, and
most commonly, leaning body weight into
various points along key channels."
Herbal Remedies
Japanese kampo is made from natural
ingredients—mainly plants, sometimes
with minerals and animal products
included. Some of the core plant
ingredients include: ginger, mugwort,
licorice, medicinal mushrooms. Their
application ranges from pills and
powders to baths and compresses.
 History of kampo
In 735 CE the chinese buddhist priest
Jianzhen arrived in Japan. It is said that he
had with him 36 kinds of herbal medicines,
each with different pharmacological effects
and recipes for different combinations to
treat a variety of diseases.

In 982, Tamba Yasuyori completed the

30-volume Ishinhō, the oldest Japanese
medical work still extant.

European medicine was introduced into

Japan in the 16th century by Jesuit
missionaries and again in the 17th century by
Dutch physicians.
 Over time western medicine
integrated with traditional
japanese medicine and and great
progress was made in the
foundation of medical schools
and the encouragement of
research.
Today in Japan, Kampo is
integrated into the Japanese
national health care system, but it
is strictly regulated by Japanese
government.
Pregnancy
While the social status of women is relatively
low, the status of mother is very high in
Japan. Pregnancy is considered a period of
mental and physical discipline for women.
During the fifth month of pregnancy women
often go with a mother or grandmother to a
shrine that is dedicated to safe childbirth and
sometimes purchase a special sash called
Obi. Environment, or kankyo is also crucial
factor since certain foods are related to
coldness and heat. Births in Japan are
attended by either licensed doctors or
experienced midwives.
Mental Health Problems
As a result of Japan’s collectively
held stigma, persons affected by
mental illness often do not seek
treatment. Additionally, many
Japanese people do not believe that
mental illnesses require professional
treatment.
In Japan suicide is considered a
major social issue. Japan has no
history of Christianity so here
suicide is not a sin. Financial anxiety
and insecurity, loneliness and
isolation are some of the
contributing factors.
 Death
In Japan, Shinto and Buddhism are the most popular religions
and each religion has a significant impact on how certain
Japanese individuals conceptualize dying, death, and grief. in
buddhism the dying process is perfectly normal and something
that cannot be controlled, however those who identify as Shinto
may view dying as "impure".
During festival of Obon Japanese people will visit the gravesites
of deceased loved ones to clean their gravestones. Many also light
lamps to guide the spirits since they believe that during the
festival the dead may return to pay visit to the living.
Cremation is the most popular form of funeral arrangement that
is made in Japan with a rate of 99.9 percent. This became
popularized as a way to sanitarily prevent diseases from spreading
from the deceased to the general population.
 References
https://tokyocheapo.com/living/kampo-traditional
-japanese-medicine/

https://www.jstor.org/stable/29737930?seq=2

https://www.britannica.com/science/history-of-me
dicine/Japan

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/11/22
1111103009.htm

file:///C:/Users/aurus/Downloads/Carol_R._Ember
_Melvin_Ember_Encyclopedia_of_Med.pdf
Thank You
for your
attention!
CREDITS: This presentation template was
created by Slidesgo, including icons by Flaticon,
infographics and images by Freepik