Gastrointestinal ailments are various and frequent, even among digestive system disorders. Thus, exceptional progress in identifying the pathology of those is in demand. The necessity of clinical and fundamental research that treats the digestive tract as a single organ that spans from the mouth to the anus has been increasing in recent years, and the recognition of gastrointestinology is becoming stronger internationally.
The Japanese government revised the Medical Service Law to reveal medical information so citizens can choose higher quality treatment, and advocated specialized medicine through public announcements last year. That is why training specialists in clinical pathology for gastrointestinology that encompasses many diseases is an important topic from the standpoint of national medical treatment.
The Japanese Gastroenterological Association was established in such an academic and social background. Its purpose is to contribute to the progress of gastrointestinology, as well as launch a gastroenterological specialist system and to develop specialists in gastrointestinology.

The following are criteria for certifying specialists.
Be incorporated as a scientific organization.
Have the equivalent of five years of practical experience, and disclose the content of that.
Be able to answer external inquiries.
Have completed five years or more of training at the time of certification.
Have reasonable testing at the time of certification.

The Japanese Gastroenterological Association is taking on gaining incorporation (as a limited
liability intermediate corporation) for the purpose of launching a specialist certification system in
five years. We desire that all those involved in this area become members of the Association and
gain specialist certification as soon as possible.