Best practices adopted and adapted in Japan to promote laboratory technologists as professionals in transfusion medicine.

As medical technology advances, laboratory-based medical technologists have gained visibility as essential members of patient-centered healthcare teams. In Japan, this has been especially evident since the end of World War II. Legal and professional frameworks have evolved to train and credential clinical laboratory technologists, not only for ever more complicated laboratory investigations, but also, for active engagement with other healthcare professionals and even with patients themselves. Herein, we introduce some history, followed by current demographics, describe training and certification programs, show outcomes, and consider future directions. Paradigms brought to post-war Japan have been adopted, and adapted, for a national context that can now be adopted and adapted by other countries around the world.