Five years ago, Tokyo Dr. Motofumi Takahashi opened a Web site to respond free of charge to inquiries from patients across the nation, but a surge in such online inquiries has forced him to limit his responses.
"Doctors have little time to hear from patients about their troubles, and patients hesitate to tell the truth. I wanted to improve this situation on the Web site," said Takahashi, 44.
He receives inquiries on a wide range of subjects -- from colds, cancer and infertility to atopic dermatitis and hair loss. He once received an inquiry from a man who quit his company due to melancholia and wanted to know how to return to the workplace.