Respiratory Medicine

What we do

Our Department of Pulmonology serves as the core medical institution for respiratory care in the South Boso region. Beyond Chiba Prefecture, we receive a large number of patients from Kanagawa Prefecture, central Tokyo, and throughout the broader Kanto area.

Outpatient consultations are conducted at Kameda Clinic from Monday through Saturday mornings. A key feature of our outpatient service is that all physicians in our department are fully qualified to diagnose and treat the entire spectrum of respiratory diseases.

From a preventive medicine perspective, we operate a dedicated Smoking Cessation Clinic and actively recommend vaccinations for influenza, pneumococcus, COVID-19, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). For chronic airway conditions such as bronchial asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), we collaborate closely with clinical pharmacists to provide detailed medication guidance and inhaler management. Furthermore, chemotherapy for lung cancer is centralized at our Outpatient Chemotherapy Center whenever possible. We maintain close medical partnerships with regional healthcare facilities and actively welcome second-opinion consultations.

The primary diagnoses among inpatients admitted to Kameda Medical Center include primary lung cancer, bacterial pneumonia, interstitial pneumonia, COPD, bronchial asthma, pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease, pneumothorax, and sleep apnea syndrome. Our patient-centered team approach, led by attending physicians, ensures high-quality diagnosis and treatment.

Clinical Features by Disease & Diagnostic Modality

Lung Cancer

For thoracic malignancies, primarily primary lung cancer, we hold weekly joint multidisciplinary conferences with Thoracic Surgery, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, and Certified Cancer Nurses to deliver continuous, coordinated team medicine. We actively perform genetic alteration testing for lung cancer to provide tailored, personalized medicine (precision oncology). By continuously gathering the latest clinical data, we strive to deliver state-of-the-art treatments.

Interstitial Pneumonia

Interstitial pneumonia encompasses multiple conditions, including Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF), which is classified as a designated intractable disease. In addition to our department, we collaborate with Thoracic Surgery, Radiology, Pathology, Rehabilitation, and Rheumatology & Collagen Disease to enhance diagnostic precision and optimize treatment plans. We also participate in clinical trials for novel therapeutics. Dr. Ito, Director of the Department, has established a specialized Interstitial Pneumonia Outpatient Clinic.

Bronchial Asthma & COPD

For severe bronchial asthma, we actively introduce biological therapies (biologics). For patients with co-existing Japanese cedar pollinosis or dust mite allergic rhinitis, we offer Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) aimed at alleviating allergic symptoms. For patients with COPD, we provide comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation. We are also engaged in clinical trials testing new medications for both asthma and COPD.

Pneumonia, Pulmonary NTM Disease, Bronchiectasis & Pulmonary Aspergillosis

For respiratory infections such as pneumonia, we deliver evidence-based treatments aligned with the latest clinical guidelines. For pulmonary non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) disease, we offer cutting-edge therapies, including inhaled antibacterial agents and participation in clinical trials. Dr. Kei Nakajima, Head Director, conducts a specialized Pulmonary NTM Disease Outpatient Clinic. We also deliver highly specialized clinical care for bronchiectasis and participate in clinical trials for new drugs targeting NTM and bronchiectasis.

Bronchoscopy

We place continuous emphasis on diagnostic respiratory endoscopy (bronchoscopy), which forms the cornerstone of pulmonary diagnostics. We have introduced state-of-the-art diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, including local anesthesia thoracoscopy and Photodynamic Therapy (PDT). Our annual bronchoscopy volume ranks among the top in Japan, and we perform these high-quality procedures while minimizing patient discomfort. We also perform Cryobiopsy for interstitial pneumonia. Cryobiopsy enables the extraction of high-quality tissue specimens, ensuring accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment, particularly for interstitial lung diseases.

If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath, or if you already have a diagnosed respiratory condition and seek the latest diagnostics and treatments, please do not hesitate to visit our department. We also participate in various clinical trials on an ongoing basis.

(Updated January 8, 2025 / Text Responsible: Dr. Kei Nakajima, Head Director of Pulmonology)

Conditions we handle

Our clinical scope covers all aspects of respiratory medicine without specializing solely in a single area:
Primary lung cancer, respiratory infections, bronchial asthma, COPD, interstitial lung diseases, allergic lung diseases, occupational lung diseases, various pleural diseases including pneumothorax, abnormal breathing disorders such as sleep apnea syndrome, and general respiratory management.

Number of cases

Outpatient :31,769 people/ year
Inpatient: 18,530 people /year
(FY2022)

Number of admission patients by disease

diseases	Number
Lung cancer	824
Interstitial pneumonia	101
Pneumonia	74
Sleep apnea	72
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	34
Pneumothorax	27
Systemic autoimmune diseases	19
Bronchial asthma	21
Aspiration pneumonia	15
Non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis	12
Pulmonary tuberculosis	9
Abscess	12
Airway bleeding	9
Other	79
Total	1,308

Operation results

None

List of Doctors

Department of Respiratory Medicine

Kei NAKASHIMA

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Kyushu University School of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Physician and Specialist in General Internal Medicine, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Respiratory Specialist and Instructor, Japanese Respiratory Society Board Certified Bronchoscopist and Instructor, Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy Board Certified Infectious Disease Specialist and Instructor, Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases Certified Physician for Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases, Japanese Society for Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease Completed Clinical Training Supervisor Course Completed Palliative Care Training Program Completed Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Designated Online Medical Care Training Program
Education & Career	March 2006: Graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University April 2006: Resident, St. Mary's Hospital April 2008: Senior Resident, Saiseikai Fukuoka General Hospital April 2009: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Senior Resident, Department of Respiratory Medicine September 2012: Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine April 2013: Chief Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine January 2017: Acting Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine February 2018: Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine September 2023: Chief Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine Academic & Editorial Activities: Co-Investigator, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Research Project: Epidemiological Evaluation of Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety and Optimization of Vaccination Policy Editorial Board Member, Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics Editorial Board Member, Scientific Reports (Respiratory Medicine) Publications: Principles of Respiratory Medicine Practice (Chugai-Igakusha, Tokyo, 2024) Optimal Solutions in Respiratory Medicine for Residents (Igaku-Shoin, Tokyo, 2020) An Easy Guide to Reading Chest X-Rays and CT Scans (Yodosha, Tokyo, 2016)

Vice Director, Kameda Kyobashi Clinic; Concurrently serves as Advisor, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Norihiro KANEKO

Subspeciality
General Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Showa University School of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Respiratory Specialist and Instructor, Japanese Respiratory Society Board Certified Bronchoscopist and Instructor, Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy Board Certified Allergy Specialist and Instructor (Internal Medicine), Japanese Society of Allergology Board Certified Physician, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Smoking Cessation Specialist and Instructor, Japan Society for Tobacco Control Occupational Health Physician Infection Control Doctor (ICD)
Education & Career	March 1988: Graduated from Showa University School of Medicine June 1988: Showa University Fujigaoka Hospital March 1997: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Acting Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine July 1998: Appointed Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine July 2013: Appointed Vice Director, Kameda Kyobashi Clinic August 2018: Appointed Vice Director, Kameda Kyobashi Clinic, while concurrently serving as Advisor, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Director

Hiroyuki ITO

Subspeciality
Pulmonology

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Nagasaki University
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Physician, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Specialist in General Internal Medicine, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Bronchoscopist and Instructor, Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy Board Certified Respiratory Specialist and Instructor, Japanese Respiratory Society Certified Physician for Tuberculosis and Mycobacterial Diseases, Japanese Society for Tuberculosis Certified Cancer Treatment Physician, Japanese Board of Cancer Therapy European Diploma in Adult Respiratory Medicine
Education & Career	March 2008: Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Medicine April 2008: Junior Resident, Japanese Red Cross Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Hospital April 2009: Junior Resident, Nagasaki University Hospital April 2010: Senior Resident, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Nagasaki University Hospital April 2011: Internal Medicine Physician, Juuzenkai Hospital April 2013: Resident, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Prefectural Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center April 2015: Staff Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Nagasaki University Hospital July 2016: Part-time Staff Physician, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Tropical Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Nagasaki University Hospital April 2018: Internal Medicine Physician, Juuzenkai Hospital June 2018: Director, Respiratory Endoscopy Unit, Juuzenkai Hospital April 2019: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Acting Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine March 2024: Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Director

Ayumu OTSUKI

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Toho University
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Physician, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Specialist in General Internal Medicine, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Respiratory Specialist and Instructor, Japanese Respiratory Society Board Certified Bronchoscopist and Instructor, Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy Completed the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Instructor Training Course for Clinical Residency Programs
Education & Career	March 2011: Graduated from Toho University School of Medicine April 2011: Ohara General Hospital April 2013: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Senior Resident, Department of Respiratory Medicine April 2016: Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine February 2018: Appointed Chief Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine February 2021: Appointed Acting Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine September 2024: Appointed Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Acting Director

Yoshihiro FUNAKI

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Tottori University Graduate School
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Physician and Specialist in General Internal Medicine, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Respiratory Specialist and Instructor, Japanese Respiratory Society Board Certified Bronchoscopist and Instructor, Japan Society for Respiratory Endoscopy Certified Physician for Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Diseases, Japanese Society for Tuberculosis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Disease Completed Clinical Training Supervisor Course Completed Palliative Care Training Program
Education & Career	March 2010: Graduated from Tottori University School of Medicine April 2010: Junior Resident, Shimane Prefectural Central Hospital April 2012: Staff Physician, Third Department of Internal Medicine (Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology), Tottori University Hospital April 2014: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanagawa Prefectural Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center April 2015: Staff Physician, Third Department of Internal Medicine (Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology), Tottori University Hospital October 2016: Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Emergency and Critical Care Center, Tottori University Hospital April 2017: Staff Physician, Third Department of Internal Medicine (Respiratory Medicine and Rheumatology), Tottori University Hospital April 2018: Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Advanced Intensive Care Unit, Tottori University Hospital April 2025: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Acting Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Acting Director

Tatsuya NAGAI

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Kagawa University
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Respiratory Specialist, Japanese Respiratory Society Board Certified Physician, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Specialist in General Internal Medicine, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine
Education & Career	March 2013: Graduated from Kagawa University School of Medicine April 2013: Junior Residency Training, Kagawa University Hospital April 2015: Senior Resident, Department of General Internal Medicine, Tokyo Bay Urayasu-Ichikawa Medical Center April 2018: Fellow, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokyo Bay Urayasu-Ichikawa Medical Center April 2021: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine February 2022: Appointed Chief Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine April 2025: Appointed Acting Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Chief Physician

Norihiko KUBOTA

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Tottori University
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Respiratory Specialist, Japanese Respiratory Society Certified Immediate Cardiac Life Support (ICLS) Provider, Japanese Association for Acute Medicine
Education & Career	March 2017: Graduated from Tottori University School of Medicine April 2017: Okinawa Prefectural Nanbu Medical Center & Children's Medical Center April 2019: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Internal Medicine Resident April 2022: Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine April 2025: Appointed Chief Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Chief Physician

Shigenori YAMAMOTO

Subspeciality
General Respiratory Diseases / Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	St. Marianna University School of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Specialist in Internal Medicine, Japanese Society of Internal Medicine Board Certified Respiratory Specialist, Japanese Respiratory Society
Education & Career	March 2017: Graduated from St. Marianna University School of Medicine April 2017: Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital April 2019: Showa University Hospital April 2020: Ebara Hospital, Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Hospitals Corporation April 2021: Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kameda Medical Center April 2023: Showa University Hospital April 2024: Asahi General Hospital, Local Independent Administrative Agency June 2025: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine October 2025: Appointed Chief Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Staff Physician

Hikaru ITO

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine
Critical Care Medicine
Internal Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Showa University
Special Qualifications	Board Certified Specialist in Internal Medicine, Japanese Medical Specialty Board Completed Palliative Care Training Program
Education & Career	March 2017: Graduated from Showa University School of Medicine April 2017: Junior Resident, Asahi General Hospital April 2019: Internal Medicine Resident, Tokyo Bay Urayasu-Ichikawa Medical Center April 2022: Fellow, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Critical Care Medicine, Tokyo Bay Urayasu-Ichikawa Medical Center April 2024: Joined Kameda Medical Center as Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Staff Physician

Jun HAYASHI

Subspeciality
Internal Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Tokyo Medical University
Special Qualifications	Completed Palliative Care Training Program Completed JMECC (Japanese Medical Emergency Care Course)
Education & Career	March 2018: Graduated from Tokyo Medical University April 2018: Junior Resident, Narita Red Cross Hospital April 2020: Internal Medicine Resident, Kameda Medical Center April 2023: Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Staff Physician (External Training Assignment)

Taiki KAWAI

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Tokyo Medical University
Education & Career	March 2020: Graduated from Tokyo Medical University April 2020: Junior Resident, Postgraduate Clinical Training Center, Kameda Medical Center April 2022: Internal Medicine Resident, Department of Respiratory Medicine April 2025: Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Staff Physician

Reina IDEMITSU

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Nagasaki University
Education & Career	March 2020: Graduated from Nagasaki University School of Medicine April 2020: Junior Resident, Iizuka Hospital April 2022: Joined Kameda Medical Center as an Internal Medicine Resident in the Department of Respiratory Medicine April 2025: Staff Physician, Department of Respiratory Medicine

Respiratory Medicine

Hiroki KAWAKAMI

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Dokkyo Medical University
Special Qualifications	AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider AHA Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Fundamental Critical Care Support (FCCS) Provider Completed Immediate Cardiac Life Support (ICLS) Course Completed Palliative Care Training Program
Education & Career	March 2021: Graduated from Dokkyo Medical University School of Medicine April 2021: Junior Resident, Nasu Red Cross Hospital April 2023: Joined Kameda Medical Center as an Internal Medicine Resident in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Internal Medicine Resident

Yuki SATO

Subspeciality
Internal Medicine Resident Training Program

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Keio University School of Medicine
Special Qualifications	Completed Palliative Care Training Program Completed JMECC (Japanese Medical Emergency Care Course)
Education & Career	March 2021: Graduated from Keio University School of Medicine April 2021: Seirei Mikatahara General Hospital April 2023: Joined Kameda Medical Center as an Internal Medicine Resident in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Internal Medicine Resident

Soichiro YAMAJI

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Yamaguchi University
Special Qualifications	Completed Palliative Care Training Program Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider
Education & Career	March 2021: Graduated from Yamaguchi University School of Medicine April 2021: Junior Resident, Fukuoka Higashi Medical Center, National Hospital Organization April 2023: Joined Kameda Medical Center as an Internal Medicine Resident in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Internal Medicine Resident (External Training Assignment)

Masaki IKEDA

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Shinshu University
Special Qualifications	Completed JMECC (Japanese Medical Emergency Care Course) Completed Palliative Care Training Program
Education & Career	March 2022: Graduated from Shinshu University School of Medicine April 2022: Junior Residency Program, National Hospital Organization Nagoya Medical Center April 2024: Joined Kameda Medical Center as an Internal Medicine Resident in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Internal Medicine Resident

Nami KUJI

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Yamagata University
Special Qualifications	Completed Palliative Care Training Program
Education & Career	March 2022: Graduated from Yamagata University School of Medicine April 2022: Asahi General Hospital April 2023: Chiba University Hospital April 2024: Joined Kameda Medical Center as an Internal Medicine Resident in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Internal Medicine Resident

Koshiro SAKAMOTO

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Tokushima University
Special Qualifications	Completed Palliative Care Training Program Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Provider Completed JMECC (Japanese Medical Emergency Care Course)
Education & Career	March 2022: Graduated from Tokushima University School of Medicine April 2022: Junior Resident, Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital April 2024: Joined Kameda Medical Center as an Internal Medicine Resident in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Resident Physician

Nanako YAMADA

Subspeciality
Respiratory Medicine

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Teikyo University
Education & Career	March 2023: Graduated from Teikyo University School of Medicine April 2023: Junior Resident, Teikyo University Hospital April 2025: Senior Resident, Division of Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Department of Internal Medicine, Teikyo University Hospital April 2026: Joined Kameda Medical Center as a Resident Physician in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Resident Physician

Haruka MINODA

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Showa University
Education & Career	March 2023: Graduated from Showa University School of Medicine April 2023: Yokohama Sakae Kyosai Hospital, Federation of National Public Service Personnel Mutual Aid Associations April 2024: Yokohama City University Medical Center April 2025: Showa Medical University Hospital April 2026: Joined Kameda Medical Center as a Resident Physician in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Internal Medicine Resident

Senichi FUKUDA

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Gifu University
Education & Career	March 2024: Graduated from Gifu University School of Medicine April 2024: Junior Resident, Postgraduate Clinical Training Center, Kameda Medical Center April 2026: Department of Respiratory Medicine

Resident Physician

Osamu ARAI

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Niigata University
Education & Career	March 2024: Graduated from Niigata University School of Medicine April 2024: Asahi General Hospital April 2026: Joined Kameda Medical Center as a Resident Physician in the Department of Respiratory Medicine

Internal Medicine Resident

Atsushi OHATA

Department name	Respiratory Medicine
Medical School	Shimane University School of Medicine
Education & Career	Mar 2024 – Graduated from Shimane University School of Medicine Apr 2024 – Junior Resident, Graduate Medical Education Center, Kameda Medical Center Apr 2026 – Department of Rheumatology, Connective Tissue Diseases & Allergy, Kameda Medical Center