Researches in preventive medicine and public health in medical schools in Japan: Past, present and future

The first departments of preventive medicine and hygiene in medical schools in Japan were established in the years around 1890 whereas the departments of public health were established in around 1950. Both departments were expected to serve people through researches which contribute to the people by solving the health problems in the communities. Studies in this field of medical science in Japan were initiated to prevent communicable diseases early in this century. In the field of chemical safety, the study was first focused on the prevention of industrial poisoning, management of pollution-induced diseases, measures for environmental preservation, international sharing of toxicity information, and cooperation with developing countries for the success of local efforts. The direction of the developments has been from therapy toward prevention, and solution of local problems toward international cooperation. The fields that need more attention in the nearest future from domestic viewpoints will be the studies to solve the problems due to rapid aging of the national population, and that from the viewpoints of international contribution will be the development of integrated science for not only healthy human life but sound ecosystem.