Forensic medicine: education and practice in Japan

Japan had been modernized after the restoration of Meiji in 1868 owing to the influence of Western countries. Before that, Japanese cultures and sciences had been based mainly on traditional ones introduced from China through Korea in the 5th and 6th centuries. Forensic medicine was not an exception. Old Chinese concept and books on forensic medicine were introduced to Japan in the 18th century. Several Chinese text books were translated into Japanese and used as bibles for corpse examiners in those days. China was then the most advanced country in the field of forensic medicine in the world.’ Japan was under a strict isolation policy during the Edo period of 1603-1867. During that time, nothing new was introduced to Japan from abroad. Medicine was influenced predominantly by traditional medicine introduced from China. At the end of the isolation period, a handful of Japanese doctors became aware of Western modern medicine. Dutch and German doctors, were allowed to live in limited areas in Japan, and began to deliver lectures on forensic medicine. Dr Kunika Katayama was the father of forensic medicine in Japan. He was sent to Germany by the Japanese government then to observe and study the medico-legal systems. On his return in 1889, he was appointed to be the first Japanese professor of forensic medicine at Tokyo University. He introduced and promoted modern medico-legal activities. He started the new era of forensic medicine in Japan. Subsequently about 20 Japanese doctors were appointed to be professors of forensic medicine at medical schools. The number of medical schools had increased from