6 Steps to Become a Doctor in Japan

Japan is an island nation in East Asia. According to Japan’s Statistics Bureau, the country’s preliminary population was approximately 122.81 million as of May 1, 2026.

For people interested in practicing medicine in Japan, the process depends on where they completed their medical education and whether they need immigration permission to work in the country. This article explains the main steps.

How to Become a Doctor in Japan

Step 1. Get a Medical Degree

The first step to becoming a medical doctor in Japan is to complete an appropriate medical education. An undergraduate medical program at a Japanese university is a six-year course. The exact curriculum and sequence vary by university, so applicants should check the official curriculum of the medical school they are considering. You can begin by researching Japanese universities.

International applicants should also check the language and admissions requirements for each university. Because medical education and clinical communication can require Japanese, applicants should confirm the language tests and score requirements set by the institution. Completing a degree outside Japan does not automatically make a person eligible to practice medicine in Japan; foreign-trained applicants must follow the recognition and licensing process described below.

Step 2. Apply and Pass the National Medical Examination

Applicants who graduate from a Japanese medical program generally proceed to the National Medical Practitioners Examination. A person who graduated from a foreign medical school or obtained a medical license abroad cannot apply automatically. Before taking the examination, the person must obtain recognition of eligibility from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). MHLW reviews applicants individually and may direct some applicants to the preliminary-examination route before they become eligible for the national examination.

For the eligibility-recognition application, MHLW requires proof of JLPT N1 results from applicants who did not graduate from a Japanese junior high school and high school. The recognition process also includes an assessment of Japanese-language clinical ability. Applicants should confirm the latest document requirements directly with MHLW and review resources on language proficiency.

Step 3. Complete a Residency Program upon Graduation

After passing the National Medical Practitioners Examination and completing the medical-license registration process, doctors who intend to engage in clinical practice must complete at least two years of clinical training. The training is not limited to university-affiliated hospitals; it is completed at designated training hospitals under Japan’s clinical-training system.

This initial clinical training is designed to develop broad, basic clinical skills rather than to serve only as specialty training. Applicants should review eligible programs and their application requirements before applying.

Step 4. Obtain a Medical License

Passing the National Medical Practitioners Examination is a required step for obtaining a Japanese medical license. Passing the examination does not, by itself, mean that the candidate is immediately registered as a licensed doctor; successful candidates must complete the medical-license application and registration process.

Doctors who intend to engage in clinical practice must also complete the required clinical training described above.

Step 5. Begin Your Medical Career in Japan

After obtaining the required Japanese license and completing the applicable clinical-training requirements, doctors may pursue roles in hospitals, clinics, research, or other eligible medical settings.

Employment requirements vary by employer and specialty. Foreign doctors should confirm that their Japanese license, language ability, and immigration status match the duties of each role.

Step 6. Apply for a Work Visa

Doctors who need a visa to work in Japan should complete the relevant immigration steps before entering Japan for employment. Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs lists licensed physicians under the working-visa category for “Medical services.” Applicants can review additional information about a work visa before applying.

Applicants commonly submit a passport, a visa application form, a photograph, and a Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Additional documents may be required depending on the applicant’s nationality and circumstances. A proxy in Japan can apply for a COE. A visa application may also be submitted without a COE, but this requires more verification documents and may take considerably longer. Applicants should check the Japanese embassy or consulate serving their area for the latest requirements.

FAQs: How to Become a Doctor in Japan

In conclusion, becoming a medical doctor in Japan involves completing an appropriate medical education, passing the National Medical Practitioners Examination, completing the medical-license application and registration process, and undertaking the required clinical training before engaging in clinical practice. Foreign-trained applicants must also complete MHLW’s eligibility-recognition process before taking the national examination. If you are considering medical studies in Japan, check the procedures and requirements necessary for enrolling in a Japanese university.

We hope that you found this article on how to become a doctor in Japan informative and helpful. Additionally, if you are thinking of exploring educational opportunities in Japan, these Available Programs for International Students would be a good start. You can also explore various universities and scholarship opportunities on the Study in Japan Page!