Meet Dr. Banno, Japan’s Experienced Sleep Doctor

From a book-loving boy who dreaded swimming lessons to a physician trained in both Japan and Canada, Dr. Katsuhisa Banno’s journey spans cardiology, psychiatry, and sleep medicine — all with one goal: helping people live better through better sleep.

 

1. The Roots of a Calling: A Child’s Defining Moments

As a child, I was far from the image of a future doctor. I was quiet, introverted, and my grades were nothing to boast about. PE was my greatest weakness, especially swimming, which felt like pure misery. As a non-swimmer, I once swallowed what must have been ten liters of pool water. In my desperation, I would pray for rain before every swim class. It seems those prayers worked a little too well, as I’ve become an Ame Otoko (rain man), with many of my important events attracting rain to this day.

 

A turning point came in sixth grade when my teacher, seeing my struggles with Japanese language arts, told me, “Make friends with books.” This simple advice changed everything. I began reading voraciously, and my world expanded far beyond the classroom.

 

By my teenage years, I had developed an interest in medicine. I knew I couldn’t get into medical school without serious study, so I spent my youth commuting to cram school, even on Sundays, preparing for the long road ahead.

 

2. From Cardiology to Sleep Medicine: The Strategist's Pivot

After graduating from medical school, I chose internal medicine, focusing initially on cardiology. The intellectual rigor and technical expertise required by the field were appealing, but I soon realized something didn’t align with my nature. The procedure-heavy demands of cardiology, particularly catheter-based interventions, didn’t suit me. I have always been better suited to analyzing causes, designing strategies, and thinking several steps ahead than to high-speed execution.

 

It was during this introspective period that a fateful encounter occurred. While in graduate school, I had the rare opportunity to be mentored by Dr. Meir Kryger, a world-leading authority in sleep medicine. I quickly became fascinated by the field. I learned that sleep disorders like sleep apnea could be a root cause of serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke. This was the kind of medicine I was looking for, and it set me on the path to becoming a dedicated sleep doctor who treats patients with both precision and compassion.

 

Sleep medicine offered a unique chance to uncover hidden diseases, manage interconnected health problems, and practice true preventive care. By combining cardiology with sleep medicine, I realized I could help patients not just improve their lifespan, but their entire quality of life. This was the moment I committed my life’s work to sleep medicine.

 

3. Two Overseas Journeys That Forged Expertise

After returning to Japan, I began practicing in a sleep clinic at a university hospital, but I soon hit a wall. My understanding of sleep medicine, while growing, was still incomplete. The diversity of sleep disorders—from pediatric to adult cases, from simple insomnia to complex comorbidities—demanded a depth and breadth of expertise I had yet to master.

 

Rather than settling for “good enough,” I decided to go deeper. I returned to Canada for a second round of training, this time at St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba. There, I honed my ability to make swift and accurate diagnoses, tailor interventions to each patient’s unique circumstances, and maintain a structured, evidence-based approach to care.

 

4. The Science, The Art, and the All-Round Sleep Physician

During my training at St. Boniface, I had the privilege of working with leading experts who taught me the science of medicine. However, it was the “art” of their work that truly left an impression. My mentors taught me that a great sleep physician must also be a great internist—someone who sees the patient as a whole person, not just a collection of symptoms.

 

Before opening my clinic, I spent four years at Kitatsushima Hospital, a psychiatric institution. This gave me a perspective that cardiology alone couldn’t offer, especially the intricate connections between mental health and sleep. Sleep disorders fall into six major categories, and many physicians only have strengths in a few, much like how in track and field, a 100-meter sprinter rarely competes in the high jump.

 

I did not want to be a specialist in just one event. Instead, I aimed to become a “decathlon-style physician” — much like an athlete in a decathlon competes in ten different events, I strive to maintain high competency across all six categories of sleep disorders. My goal is not to be the best at a single skill, but to maintain a high level in all areas to serve my patients completely as a sleep doctor who understands the whole person.

 

5. Our Five Guiding Values: CREST

At Banno Clinic, our work is built around five core values, summarized by the acronym CREST:

 

Compassion: Listening without judgment to understand the human story behind the symptoms.

 

Respect: Honoring each person’s dignity, choices, and cultural background.

 

Excellence: Striving for the highest standard of care, grounded in science.

 

Speediness: Acting promptly to prevent complications and reduce suffering.

 

Teamwork: Recognizing that great care is the product of many hands and minds working together.

 

These values guide us in practicing what I call “gentle, close-to-the-heart medicine.” Our ultimate goal is not just to treat disease, but to help patients climb the staircase to happiness and improve their overall quality of life.

 

6. Innovating for the Future of Sleep Medicine

Medicine never stands still, and neither should we. My vision for “Sleep Medicine 4.0” includes addressing pediatric sleep disorders, understanding links between sleep and developmental conditions, and exploring how sleep optimization can help prevent dementia.

 

I actively participate in global forums like the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) to stay at the forefront of research. By embracing digital medicine, from remote monitoring to AI-assisted diagnostics, we can make care more accessible and precise, especially for underserved areas — a vision every sleep doctor should strive toward.

 

7. Giving Back to the Community and the Next Generation

I believe deeply in giving back. I mentor high school students interested in medical research, guiding them through study design, data interpretation, and presentations. These experiences not only develop their skills but also inspire them to consider careers in science and healthcare.

 

I also hold free public consultations on sleep health, lowering barriers for people who might otherwise delay seeking help. Our guiding message is simple: Good sleep enriches life. By helping people sleep better, we empower them to live healthier, more joyful, and more connected lives, leaving a lasting impact not just on individuals, but on the community as a whole.

 

For a detailed professional profile, please visit
Dr. Banno – Sleep Medicine Specialist in Japan