The Japan Diabetes Society (JDS) supports the development of knowledgeable, highly skilled diabetes specialists. This page provides information on the credentialing process for doctors who wish to become a Board Certified Diabetologist.

In Japan, doctors who have passed the National Examination for Medical Licenses (NE) can freely select their main medical specialties. In cooperation with the Japanese Board of Medical Specialties and other related academic organizations, JDS credentials deserving medical specialists as Board Certified Diabetologists in accordance with the procedures listed below.

To be credentialed as a Board Certified Diabetologist, the candidate must have:

1. Passed the NE
2. Completed a medical internship to acquire the right to sit for the Internal Medicine Specialist examination
3. Completed three or more years’ in a diabetologist fellowship at an educational facility designated by the JDS
4. Obtained certification as a Board Certified Member of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
5. Passed the Board Certified Diabetologist review
6. Passed the Board Certified Diabetologist examination

After completing steps 1-6, the candidate may be credentialed by the JDS.

Due to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Notification No. 158 regarding deregulation of advertising for medical specialists effective April 25, 2003, Board Certified Diabetologists credentialed by the JDS are now permitted to include their qualifications in advertisements.

JDS established the program for credentialing Board Certified Diabetologists in 1989 in order to: further develop the field of diabetes clinical medicine; foster physicians skilled in treating diabetes; encourage practicing physicians to improve their knowledge; and contribute to the welfare of society. Ever since, JDS has been maintaining and enhancing the program, qualifying teaching doctors on certified diabetologist training courses, and designating educational facilities.

Diabetes is one of the most challenging lifestyle diseases facing Japan today. In a study conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in April 2002, 7.4 million respondents (9%) showed a strong indication of diabetes, and another 8.8 million (10.6%) indicated some potential signs of diabetes. Thus, the aggregate of confirmed and potential cases of diabetes was 16.2 million (numbers of patients estimated based on the population in October 2002). The number of diabetics and people suffering from diabetes-related complications continues to increase, and the prevention and treatment of this debilitating disease is of great importance for the welfare of our society.

In hospitals with Board Certified Diabetologists, teams consisting of doctors and co-medical healthcare specialists (including Certified Diabetes Educators since 2001) handle the care and treatment of diabetes patients. They have also joined forces with local general practitioners to improve the quality of diabetes treatment.

Update: October 18, 2012