[Development of Japanese neurology in the last half century: a global perspective]

The Japanese Society of Neurology, founded in 1960, suffered an initial set back internationally primarily because of the language barrier. It gained a quick, and justifiable recognition after the 12th World Congress of Neurology held in Kyoto (1981), and now enjoys an indisputable reputation in the field of neuroscience. Clinical neurophysiology lead the world from the inception with the early formation of study group in 1951 as the predecessor of the current Japanese Society of Clinical Neurophysiology. In both fields, however, clinical training has fallen behind research achievements with limited resources and a shortage of teaching staff. On the occasion of 50th anniversary of our society, we must seek the sovereignty of neurology as an independent discipline as advocated by the World Federation of Neurology. We must also participate in global affairs with confidence despite a perceived language barrier to promote neurology world wide.