It takes a lot of time and effort for an aspiring student to become a professional doctor. Students who want to pursue medicine should start preparing early by building strong academic records and checking each university’s admissions requirements. In Japan, undergraduate medicine is normally a six-year bachelor’s program. After graduating, future doctors must pass the National Examination for Medical Practitioners, receive a medical license, and complete the required postgraduate clinical training before practicing independently.
As you can imagine, becoming a doctor is not easy. You need to work hard and prove that you are prepared for the responsibility of caring for patients. Medicine is a high-stakes profession in which accuracy matters, from diagnosis and treatment plans to prescriptions and dosage.
With that said, medical students should choose their education carefully. Japan can be a strong option for students interested in advanced healthcare, medical research, and clinical training. However, students should understand the language requirements, admissions routes, and licensing process before applying. To help you with that, here are some things you need to know if you are considering studying medicine in Japan.
1. Can you study medicine in Japan as an international student?
Yes, but admission depends on the university and the specific admissions route. International students can be admitted to higher education institutions in Japan, including undergraduate programs, but medical school admissions are competitive and often require strong Japanese-language ability.
Some universities and medical faculties have offices that support international students and exchange. For example, the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine Office of International Academic Affairs provides support related to international educational and academic activities, while Kyoto University provides admissions information for international applicants. Always check the official admissions page of each medical school before applying.
2. What are the requirements for its medical schools?
Requirements vary by university, so applicants should always confirm the latest details on the official admissions page of the medical school they want to enter. In general, applicants should expect to submit documents such as proof of identity and nationality, academic transcripts, a graduation certificate or proof of expected graduation, application forms, photographs, and any health or residency documents requested by the university.
International undergraduate applicants may also need to take entrance examinations. Common examples include the Examination for Japanese University Admission for International Students (EJU), the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), university-specific written exams, interviews, and English tests if the university specifically requires them.
IELTS is not a universal requirement for medical schools in Japan. For most Japanese-taught medical programs, Japanese proficiency is more important than English proficiency. Some universities may ask for English test scores or include English in their entrance examination, so applicants should check each program’s official requirements.
3. How many medical schools are in Japan?
As of the latest sources checked, Japan has 82 medical schools: 43 national, 8 public or prefectural, and 31 private. Because institutional status and admissions policies can change, applicants should confirm the latest information through official university or medical education sources.
4. In what language is Japan’s medical curriculum?
Most undergraduate medical programs in Japan are taught primarily in Japanese. Some universities offer English-taught classes, international support, or selected courses in English, but students should not assume that a medical degree in Japan will be taught in English.
Japanese proficiency is especially important because clinical training takes place in Japanese healthcare settings, and the licensing pathway requires the ability to study and practice medicine in Japanese. For example, the University of Tokyo states that most traditional undergraduate programs are taught in Japanese and require a high level of Japanese proficiency, and Kyoto University also states that undergraduate classes are generally taught in Japanese. Some medical schools may also require JLPT or EJU results.
5. What are the components of the medical curriculum in Japan?
Undergraduate medicine in Japan normally takes six years. The required study period for medicine is six years, and medicine and dentistry programs require at least 188 credits. The curriculum differs by university, but Japanese medical schools use the national Model Core Curriculum as a common foundation while leaving part of the curriculum to each university’s own educational policy.
In general, students study basic sciences, preclinical medicine, clinical medicine, and clinical clerkships. The timing of clinical training can vary by university, so students should check the curriculum page of the school they plan to attend.
6. How difficult is it to study medicine in Japan?
Studying medicine in Japan is difficult because admission is competitive, the coursework is rigorous, and Japanese-language proficiency is usually essential. Students also need to prepare for clinical training, national examinations, and the licensing process.
7. What do you need to become a doctor in Japan?
After completing a six-year medical program in Japan, graduates must pass the National Examination for Medical Practitioners and receive a medical license from the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare. A doctor who wants to engage in medical practice must also complete at least two years of clinical training at a designated hospital or university hospital.
Students should also be aware that Japanese proficiency is essential for the licensing pathway and clinical practice. Foreign medical graduates who studied outside Japan must apply for eligibility to take the Japanese medical licensing examination, and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reviews their education and qualifications individually.
I hope this article was helpful. If you are interested, check out the Available Courses for International Students and the Scholarships Page.
