[The new Japanese board of surgery for general surgery specialists]

The postgraduate training and board certification system for general surgery has just reached a new era with the upgrading from the previous system for registered surgeons. The new system consists of first-step training of a minimum of 5 years (initially 4 years or more) covering general surgery, emergency medicine, and basic knowledge of subspecialties. The subspecialties programs are optional but combined as the second step, and 7 years of training including the first step are required. The new system of a general surgical training consists of a residency training program with registered hospitals and a minimum requirement of surgical experience. At this starting point, the Japan Surgical Society should take responsibility for this new training system, together with the related societies of subspecialties, in this new step for the official and adequate public qualification of surgeons.