Daigoro Kondo

1.1. Birth and Family Background

Kondo was born on June 1, 1907, in Surugadai, Kanda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, an area now part of Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. His given name "Daigoro" (臺, or 台) and his elder brother Shunshiro's name "Shun" (駿) were derived from the local place names in Surugadai, reflecting a connection to their birthplace. He hailed from a prominent medical family; his father, Kondo Tsugushige, is widely regarded as one of the founders of surgery in Japan. Daigoro Kondo was married to Nobu, the third daughter of Takigawa Gisaku, who was famously known as the "Match King." His elder brother, 近藤駿四郎_{Kondo Shunshiro}^Japanese, was a professor of neurosurgery at Nippon Medical School. His eldest son, Koichi Kondo, became a journalist and reporter for Sankei Shimbun. Furthermore, his nephew, 近藤東郎_{Haruo Kondo}^Japanese, is an emeritus professor of public health at Keio University.

1.2. Educational Background

Kondo's formal education began at Seishi Kindergarten in Nishikatamachi, Bunkyo-ku. He then attended Tokyo Higher Normal School Affiliated Elementary School and its affiliated middle school, which are now part of Tsukuba University Affiliated Junior High School and High School. Subsequently, he studied at Mito High School, a prestigious institution where he was also actively involved in the football team. In 1929, he enrolled in the Faculty of Medicine at Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo), from which he graduated in 1933.

2.1. Youth and Collegiate Football

While attending Mito High School, Kondo was a key member of its renowned football team. His team achieved victory in the Inter-High School Football Championship in 1926. Leveraging his exceptional speed, honed through his earlier involvement in track and field where he consistently ran the 328 ft ^{(100 m)} dash in approximately 11 seconds, he excelled as a fullback. His quickness was a notable asset, often praised as being "faster than the opposing forwards." He also played for Tokyo Imperial University LB, a team composed of players and graduates from his alma mater, Tokyo Imperial University. His senior by one year at Mito High School, Yasuo Haruyama, also played alongside him on the Waseda University team in international competitions.

2.2. National Team Activities

In August 1927, while still a student at Mito High School, Kondo was selected for the Japan national football team to participate in the 8th Far Eastern Championship Games held in Shanghai. Despite being a high school student, he joined the team as a supplementary player for the Waseda University contingent. He made his international debut on August 27 against the Republic of China. Two days later, on August 29, he also played against the Philippines. Japan secured a 2-1 victory in this match, marking the Japan national team's first-ever victory in an international A-match. He was also selected for the 9th Far Eastern Championship Games in Manila but did not have the opportunity to play.

2.3. Career Statistics

Kondo's international playing career for the Japan national team included two appearances.

3.1. Early Medical Career and Research

After graduating from the Faculty of Medicine at Tokyo Imperial University in 1933, Kondo began his medical career as an assistant in the Second Internal Medicine department, under the supervision of Professor Kure Ken. He steadily advanced through the ranks, becoming an assistant in 1942 and a lecturer in 1943. In 1944, he accepted a professorship at Shanghai Tongren Medical University. Following his return to Japan in 1945, he served as the vice-director of a gastrointestinal hospital in 1948 and later at the Kawashima Gastrointestinal Clinic in 1954. During this period, he dedicated himself to the clinical application and research of the gastroscope (gastric endoscope). In 1949, he co-authored "Gastroscopy Diagnostics" with Kenji Tsurioka, which became an essential reference work for gastroscopy diagnosis at the time. However, the existing Schindler-type flexible gastroscope was still essentially a rigid metal tube with only a slight curvature at the tip, causing significant discomfort to patients. While the gastrocameras developed in Japan in 1952, which involved a small camera attached to a rubber tube, reduced patient discomfort, they only allowed for blind photography of the stomach, requiring development afterward.

3.2. Pioneering Work in Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

A pivotal moment in Kondo's career and in Japanese medical history occurred in 1958 at the 1st World Congress of Gastroenterology. Japanese researchers, who had presented images from their gastrocameras with great anticipation, were profoundly impacted by the presentation of the fiberscope from the United States. Although early fiberscopes had lower image quality compared to gastrocameras due to fewer pixels, their superior ability to allow direct, real-time observation and manipulation within the stomach was undeniable. Kondo immediately recognized the revolutionary potential of the fiberscope. He brought one back to Japan, and under his guidance, Machida Seisakusho completed the first domestically produced fiberscope in 1963. The following year, Olympus Optical also released its product. This initiative, driven by Kondo, solidified Japan's position as a global leader in the development of gastrointestinal fiberscopes, significantly reducing patient discomfort and enabling more precise and early diagnoses, thereby making a substantial contribution to public health.

3.3. Leadership in Academic and Clinical Fields

Kondo's leadership extended to prominent academic and clinical institutions. In 1967, he was appointed Professor of Gastroenterology at Tokyo Women's Medical University. In the same year, he also became the Director of the Central Clinic for the Early Gastric Cancer Detection Association, a foundation dedicated to improving early diagnosis of gastric cancer. In 1972, he presided over the 58th General Assembly of the Japan Society of Gastroenterology, further cementing his influence in the field. He retired from Tokyo Women's Medical University in 1973 and from the Early Gastric Cancer Detection Association in 1986.

3.4. Influence on Medical Education and Practice

Beyond his direct research and clinical roles, Kondo profoundly influenced medical education and practice in Japan through the groups he fostered. The endoscopy research group led by Kondo was known for its strong cohesion and was informally referred to as the "Kondo Legion" or "Kondo Regiment." This group's monthly "Thursday Meeting" (木曜会_Mokuyokai^Japanese) became a crucial forum that produced a multitude of researchers and clinicians who would go on to lead the field of gastrointestinal endoscopy. Many physicians who trained under Kondo unanimously attested to his exceptionally thorough diagnostic methods, particularly his abdominal palpation technique, which was widely regarded as masterful. His leadership and the collaborative environment he created were instrumental in advancing the practice and teaching of gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japan.

4.1. Doctoral Thesis

In 1944, Kondo completed his doctoral dissertation titled "Gastroscopic Study of Pernicious Anemia." This work contributed to the understanding of pernicious anemia through the innovative use of gastroscopy, marking an early application of endoscopic techniques in diagnostic research.

4.2. Key Publications

Kondo's significant contributions to medical literature include:

• "Gastroscopy Diagnostics"** (胃鏡診断学_{Ikyō Shindangaku (Gastroscopy Diagnostics)}^Japanese), co-authored with Kenji Tsurioka, published by Nanjo Shoin in 1949. This book became a seminal work for gastroscopy diagnosis in its time.
• "Illustrated X-ray Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Diseases"** (図説消化器病のレ線診断_{Zusetsu Shōkakibyō no Resen Shindan (Illustrated X-ray Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal Diseases)}^Japanese), co-authored with Kenji Tsurioka, published by Nanzando in 1956.
• "Abdominal Examination at the Bedside"** (ベッドサイドの腹部の診かた_{Beddosaido no Fukubu no Mikata (Abdominal Examination at the Bedside)}^Japanese), co-authored with Sumi Kawakami, published by Nanzando in 1967.
• "Diagnosis and Treatment of Today's Gastrointestinal Diseases"** (今日の消化器病の診断と治療_{Kyō no Shōkakibyō no Shindan to Chiryō (Diagnosis and Treatment of Today's Gastrointestinal Diseases)}^Japanese), published by Igakutosho-Shuppan Co., Ltd. in 1972.
• "Gastroenterology Diagnosis (Volumes 1 & 2)"** (消化器内科診断学(上･下)_{Shōkaki Naika Shindangaku (Jō-Ge) (Gastroenterology Diagnosis, Volumes 1 & 2)}^Japanese), co-authored with Yoshinori Nao and Tadashi Takemoto, published by Nanzando in 1976.

5.1. Personal Life

As detailed in his early life, Kondo maintained strong family connections within the medical and industrial sectors. His father, Kondo Tsugushige, was a foundational figure in Japanese surgery, and his brother, Shunshiro Kondo, was a neurosurgery professor. His marriage to Nobu connected him to the prominent industrialist Takigawa Gisaku. His eldest son, Koichi Kondo, pursued a career in journalism, demonstrating a diverse range of professional paths within the family.

5.2. Death

Daigoro Kondo passed away on February 9, 1991, at the age of 83. He died in a hospital in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

6.1. Assessment of Contributions

Kondo's contributions span two distinct yet significant fields. In football, he holds a unique place in history as a member of the Japan national team that achieved the nation's first international A-match victory in 1927. This early athletic achievement highlighted his physical prowess and dedication. However, his most impactful and enduring legacy is in medicine. As a gastroenterologist, Kondo's relentless pursuit of better diagnostic tools, particularly his pivotal role in introducing and promoting the domestic production of the fiberscope in Japan, fundamentally transformed gastrointestinal diagnostics. This innovation not only reduced the severe discomfort associated with older endoscopic methods but also enabled earlier and more accurate detection of gastrointestinal diseases, including early gastric cancer. His work directly contributed to improving public health outcomes and establishing Japan as a leader in endoscopic technology.

6.2. Influence on Subsequent Generations

Kondo's influence on subsequent generations of medical professionals and the practice of gastroenterology in Japan is profound. Through his leadership at Tokyo Women's Medical University and the Early Gastric Cancer Detection Association, he shaped institutional practices. More importantly, the research groups he founded, such as the "Kondo Legion" and the "Thursday Meeting" (Mokuyokai), served as crucial training grounds for future leaders in gastrointestinal endoscopy. These groups fostered a collaborative environment for research and clinical practice, ensuring that his pioneering spirit and techniques were passed down. His emphasis on thorough clinical examination, particularly his highly regarded abdominal palpation, became a standard for many of his students. The robust development of gastrointestinal endoscopy in Japan, leading to its global preeminence in the field, is a direct testament to Daigoro Kondo's vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment to medical advancement.