Anesthesia research misconduct in Japan: understanding the status is critical to prevention

Retraction Watch indicates that half of the worst 10 cases of research misconduct were by Japanese researchers. This is exemplified in an article entitled 'Tide of Lies' published in the Journal "Science". This article is a no holds barred view of some of the science in Japan and is an essential step on the road to prevention. However, as 3 Japanese anesthesiologists are listed in the worst 10, many Japanese academic societies point the finger at the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA). The society cannot ignore this. Prevention of research misconduct/fraud has therefore been considered. Whilst there are no measures that can completely prevent research misconduct, there are steps that can reduce its likelihood. At the researcher level, mandatory ethics training. At the department and laboratory level, central data management, regular research progress/debriefing meetings. At the academic society level, Research Misconduct Monitoring Committees should be set up to facilitate anonymous reporting. Regaining research reputation and passion in Japan is critical to moving our specialty forward. This must be done with renewed vigor for the prevention of research misconduct.