[Process of development of body donation law in Japan]

In the world, throughout history it has been difficult to obtain bodies for cadaveric dissection practice and research. In Japan, the difficulties were enhanced by the unique social culture and understanding surrounding the deceased and family responsibility. Further, from the 1970's onward, there was a large influx of new medical schools. In order to provide such a large number of medical students with anatomical study materials which are not merely obtained from unknowing deceased, but rather willfully donated by the deceased, a means by which to officially donate bodies was necessary. From the mid-1970's anatomy professors and leaders of volunteer body donation organizations realized that there was a need to formulate a procedure for the wholesome development of a body donation law. Together, they proposed this concept to senators and then on to the Ministry of Education. Their efforts bore two fruits: creation (1982) of an Official Certificate of Appreciation from the Ministry of Education (addressed to the deceased and given to the family) and also the Body Donation Law (1983). For society, such a law ensures the cultural acceptance of the concept of body donation, because it proves verification by the government. Also, such a law resolves possible later disputes between family members. Further, this law can facilitate the true wishes of the deceased, not that of the family members. In 1995, the Crown Prince and Princess participated in the Ceremony of the Centenary of the Japanese Association of Anatomists. In his address, the Prince congratulated the Association for their leadership in the development of Japanese modern medicine. He noted that body donation has been a key point to facilitate excellent medical education. As a result of the body donation law, presently there is a sufficient number of donated bodies for student dissection practice at the medical schools throughout Japan. Certainly it is pleasing to all to know that the will of the deceased has been carried out. For the family as well as the schools, this process is undertaken in an official and socially acceptable manner. In this review, we describe the process toward the development of the body donation law and the influences of this law by quoting the official journal of the Japan Union of Voluntary Body Donation, "Tokushi Kentai" (Voluntary Body Donation).