[Proton pump inhibitor in the management of acid-related disorders in Japan: history and perspective].

Since the introduction of proton pump inhibitors(PPI) in Japan, their role in the management of acid-related diseases (ARD) is steadily increasing based on their effectiveness, safety profile and lifting of cumbersome regulation in their prescription. However, further efforts to get the approval of re-imbursement for two major problems in Japan, prevention of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced ulcers and eradication therapy for chronic gastritis caused by Helicobacter pylori (HP), should be made. Continuous efforts to increase the awareness to evidence-based medicine (EBM) that leads to behavioral changes should be continued, for which guidelines will be instrumental. The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) has started to formulate six guidelines among which gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcer disease are included. Thus, standard management policies for ARD are expected to be published in the near future and will be continuously improved and contribute to the better patient care in Japan. In the next decades, we should promote our activity to produce solid new evidence for better management of ARD from Japan to the world.