Discover Medical Breakthroughs

Japan has long been well known for its scientific innovations, especially in the field of electronics. It has not lagged far behind the rest of the world when it comes to medical breakthroughs as well. Although in the recent years we have not heard of too many innovations in this field, many Japanese researchers and scientists have been involved in some of the most important medical breakthroughs in history.

Japanese medicine has its roots in Oriental practices. That is, diseases were primarily attributed to spirits and and gods. Cures revolved around prayers, chants, and similar activities. It later on progressed to certain practices such as bloodletting and the use of drugs - mostly derived from natural materials.

By the 16 th century, Western medicine started to take root in Japan, largely due to the influence of missionaries from Belgium and physicians from the Netherlands. Medical books were translated from English into Japanese. By 1857, there were enough Japanese physicians trained in the West and they founded the first medical school in Tokyo (then called Edo). This school is considered as the origins of the medical school of the Imperial University of Tokyo. Many prominent Japanese scientists and researchers come from this institution, impressing the world with their discoveries.