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How does living in the country with the second-highest life expectancy in the world sound? It’s great, and there are lots of opportunities waiting for you. A highly developed economy that is improving and welcomes skilled workers. It is the country where you can build your future there. If you want to immigrate to Japan as a doctor, you will find the answer to all your questions on this page.

Working as a Foreign Doctor in Japan: Requirements and Opportunities

Japan’s healthcare system is highly regarded, they are in demand of skilled medical professionals since approximately 29% of Japan’s population is aged 65 or older. The country also boasts one of the highest life expectancies in the world, at around 84 years. To immigrate to Japan as a doctor, you need to understand the process involved:

Step 1. Learn Japanese

You need to achieve near-native fluency and learn medical terminology. The accepted Japanese test is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), and you need to achieve at least N1 level (the highest level of proficiency). Additionally, you may be required to pass the Japanese Medical Proficiency Test. It evaluates your ability to take patient histories, perform physical examinations, and communicate effectively in Japanese. The passing score is typically around 60%.

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Immigrate to Japan as a Doctor

Step 2. Obtain Necessary Qualifications

To immigrate to Japan as a doctor and ensure you have the necessary qualifications, including:

  • A recognized medical degree (MD or equivalent) from your home country
  • Any necessary specialty or subspecialty certifications relevant to your field
  • If applicable, a board certification in your medical specialty.
  • Completion of any required post-graduate training or fellowships that align with Japanese standards
  • Completion of a residency program in Japan. It typically lasts two years.
  • Passing the Japanese National Medical Practitioners Examination. It is required to obtain a medical license to practice in Japan.

Step 3. Pass the Japanese Medical Proficiency Test

The Japanese Medical Proficiency Test is for foreign doctors who aim to practice in Japan. This test evaluates your ability to take patient histories, perform physical examinations, and communicate effectively in Japanese. It is typically held twice a year, in July and December, and is administered by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. To pass the test, you must get at least 60% for your score. The test includes sections on patient history-taking, physical examination techniques, and medical communication in Japanese.

How to Apply for the Japanese Medical Proficiency Test?

  1. Visit the official website of the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) to find the test dates.
  2. Register for a MyJLPT account on the JEES website.
  3. Complete the application form available on the JEES website or obtain it from a recognized bookstore.
  4. Submit the application form along with the required fees.
  5. After successful registration, you will receive a test voucher from JEES.
  6. To go to Japan to take the Japanese Medical Proficiency Test (JMPT) without a work visa, you would typically need to get a Temporary Visitor Visa.

Step 4. Medical Licensing in Japan

The process of getting a medical license in Japan can be hard and long:

Validate Your Credentials

  1. You need to gather your documents:
    1. Official copies of your medical degree from your university
    2. Transcripts of your medical education
    3. Detailed records of your professional experience, including letters from employers, proof of employment, and descriptions of your duties.
    4. A copy of your current medical license from your home country.
  2. Translate all documents into Japanese by a certified translator and have them notarized.
  3. Contact the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) and submit all your required documents for validation. This process can take several months.
  4. MHLW will review your documents and may request additional information or clarification. Once validated, you will receive confirmation from MHLW.

Prepare for the Japanese Medical Licensing Examination (JMLE)

The JMLE is mandatory for all doctors to obtain a medical license in Japan. Taken after passing the JMPT. It covers subjects including internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, and preventive medicine. Additionally, the exam includes questions on Japanese medical law, ethics, and the healthcare system. 

You need to register:

  1. Go to the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare (MHLW) website or the relevant medical board’s site.
  2. Find the section for the JMLE.
  3. Read the eligibility criteria and required documents for registration.
  4. Gather all necessary documents, such as validated credentials, identification, and proof of Japanese language proficiency.
  5. Fill out the online application form.
  6. Upload or send the required documents as specified.
  7. Pay the applicable registration and examination fees.
  8. Verify the submission and receive a confirmation receipt or email.
  9. Get the exam admission ticket upon successful registration.
  10. Note the date, time, and location of the exam as provided in the admission ticket.
  11. Arrive at the exam center early with all necessary identification and documentation.
  12. Results may take several weeks to months to release after the exam is completed. If you pass the JMLE, you will be eligible to apply for a medical license to practice in Japan.

Step 5. Find a Doctor Job in Japan

Getting a job is a strong requirement for getting a Japan visa. You can search among the hospitals and clinics, recruitment agencies, and job portals for a job. Submit your applications directly to hospitals and clinics through their websites or HR departments. If you get a job offer, be ready to discuss your medical experience, language skills, and why you want to work in Japan. You might have in-person or online interviews. Then, you must discuss and negotiate the terms of your employment contract, including salary, working hours, and benefits, and then sign a job contract.

Step 6. Apply for a Japan Work Visa

To apply for a Japan work visa: 

  1. Your employer in Japan must apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf at the Immigration Bureau of Japan. Your employer also needs to confirm that you meet the requirements for a work visa. The required documents gathered by your employer include the following:
    1. Completed application form for the COE.
    2. A copy of your job offer letter or employment contract.
    3. Your employer’s company registration, financial statements, and other documents prove the legitimacy of the company.
    4. Copies of your passport, medical qualifications, and any other relevant documents.
  2. The COE application process can take several weeks to a few months. Once approved, it will be sent to your employer, who will send it to you.
  3. Now you can apply for the work visa by gathering your documents:
    1. The original COE received from your employer.
    2. Completed visa application form
    3. Valid passport with at least six months of validity
    4. Passport-sized photographs
    5. A copy of the letter of your job offer or employment contract
    6. Any other documents specified by the Japanese embassy or consulate
  4. Apply at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country. 
  5. Once approved, you will receive a work visa stamped in your passport.
  6. Make travel arrangements to move to Japan and start your new job.
  7. Upon arrival in Japan, you will receive a Residence Card at the airport immigration counter.
  8. Register your address at the local municipal office within 14 days of arrival.
  9. Enroll in the national health insurance scheme through your employer.
  10. Obtain a social security number and register for other necessary social services.
  11. Begin your duties as a licensed medical professional in Japan.

If you like to learn how to work as a pharmacist in Japan, go ahead and read our article about it.

How to Become a Doctor in Japan

Average Doctor Salary in Japan

You might ask, “How much does a doctor make in Japan in Yen?” Let’s see. The average salary of a doctor in Japan is:

  • General Practitioner: 1,000,000 JPY per month
  • Surgeon: 1,500,000 JPY per month
  • Pediatrician: 1,200,000 JPY per month
  • Anesthesiologist: 1,600,000 JPY per month
  • Cardiologist: 1,700,000 JPY per month
  • Psychiatrist: 1,300,000 JPY per month
  • Dermatologist: 1,200,000 JPY per month
  • Radiologist: 1,500,000 JPY per month
  • Neurologist: 1,400,000 JPY per month
  • Orthopedic Surgeon: 1,600,000 JPY per month
Doctor in Japan

Is Japan a Good Place for Doctors?

The answer depends on you and your preferences. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world, and it has the third biggest economy. The country is advancing and improving in every field and has become a leading country. In terms of medicine, it’s one of the best in the world, and doctors are needed. The job market is good for skilled doctors as well. 

Doctor Jobs in Japan for Foreigners

What jobs are in demand in Japan for foreigners? Let’s look at them:

  • Medical Practitioner
  • Researchers in Medical Institutions
  • Pharmaceutical Industry Positions
  • Medical Consultant or Advisor
  • English-speaking Medical Interpreter
  • Clinical Trial Coordinator
  • Medical Sales Representative
  • Medical Writer or Translator
  • Healthcare Administrator
  • Medical English Teacher

Medical Residency in Japan for Foreigners

Foreign applicants for medical residency in Japan face intense competition and usually need to demonstrate advanced Japanese language skills. Different residency programs range from two to five years and include various medical fields. Tests of language competence and medical licensing exams are common requirements for international applicants. The Japanese healthcare system is well regarded for its high standards and intensive training for its citizens. 

Living expenses may add up quickly, especially in major cities like Tokyo. Foreign nationals may have difficulty obtaining scholarships and other forms of financial aid. As a foreigner, you need devotion, language skills, and a commitment to meeting tough requirements if you want to do a medical residency in Japan.

How to Become a Doctor in Japan?

To become a doctor in Japan, you must complete the medical school training at one of the country’s 80 medical schools. How long does it take to become a doctor in Japan? It takes approximately 6 to 8 years to become a doctor in Japan. The program typically consists of two years of general study followed by four years of medicine-related instruction. In their fifth year, students begin their hospital internship and prepare for the medical licensing exam in their sixth year. Upon graduation, students receive a bachelor’s degree and their medical license.

High school graduates are eligible to apply to medical school, but some schools also accept college graduates, though these positions are limited. Some schools, like Keio University School of Medicine, require a high level of Japanese proficiency for both domestic and international students, as the licensing exam is given in Japanese. 

 

After graduating from medical school, doctors must work as junior residents for two years and then as senior residents for three and a half years before reaching their average salary of 14.56 million yen per year. 

Let’s talk about the steps of the process:

  1. Get a bachelor’s degree in medicine or pre-med. In Japan, this program lasts six years.
  2. Learn Japanese to near-native fluency. 
  3. Pass the Japanese medical proficiency test, which tests patient history-taking, physical examination, and Japanese communication. Passing scores must be 60%.
  4. Take the national medical board exam. It has 400 questions in six blocks. Internal medicine holds the most weight, with additional sections in public health, pediatrics, and OBGYN.
  5. Find hospitals, visit them, and interview for a medical residency or training program. You must pass Matching to proceed.
  6. Finish your two-year residency program.
  7. After residency, you can apply for the Japanese Association for the Accreditation of Medical Facilities board certification.
  8. You can practice medicine there after getting a medical license from the Japanese government.
  9. Like many countries, Japan requires doctors to continue professional development to stay current in medicine.

It takes you six years to complete your education and get your degree. Figure out if you can afford it or not. You might have to pay up to 5 million yen for yearly tuition. The living costs range from 150-200 thousand yen per month.

Learn how to become a nurse in japan as a foreigner by reading our comprehensive article about it.

Japanese Universities Offer Medical Degrees

  • University of Tokyo
  • Tohoku University
  • Kyushu University
  • Kyoto University
  • Osaka University
  • University of Tsukuba

How to Prepare for the Japanese Board Examination?

It takes at least one year to prepare for this Japanese doctor examination. You have to cover and prepare 25 subjects. You can take two courses to prepare for the board examination: Med4 and Q-Assist. They are online courses that you can access from your home country. Their prices are not high, and you can afford it. 

For the Type 1 questions, you have to work on your memorization. But for the Type 2 questions, clinical scenarios, reading skill, and judgment is essential. So, you need to understand the paragraph in Type 2 questions. You should also take mock exams. Two companies provide mock exams for board examinations: 

  • MEC: Three mock exams per year 
  • TECOM: Four mock exams per year 

Both companies provide you with a detailed analysis of your exam. So you can know your weaknesses and work to improve them to pass the exam. 

How Much Does It Cost to Study Medicine in Japan?

How much you must spend to get a medical degree in Japan depends on several factors. If you want to study in Japan for medicine, the tuition can go up to 1,100,000 yen at the undergraduate university level. There are also living costs that can range from 100.000-200.000 Yen. 

Best Cities to Immigrate and Work in Japan as a Doctor  

These are the best cities in Japan. You might find many medical jobs in Japan in these cities:

  • Tokyo offers top hospitals like the University of Tokyo Hospital. Despite the high cost of living, it provides excellent amenities and public transportation. Doctor salaries: 700,000 – 2,400,000 JPY/month.
  • Yokohama has top-tier facilities like Yokohama City University Hospital and a lower cost of living. Doctor salaries: 650,000 – 2,300,000 JPY/month.
  • Osaka is an economic hub with hospitals like Osaka University Hospital. It offers a moderate cost of living and a vibrant culture. Doctor salaries: 680,000 – 2,350,000 JPY/month.
  • Nagoya is an industrial center with Nagoya University Hospital. It offers a lower cost of living and good transport links. Doctor salaries: 640,000 – 2,300,000 JPY/month.
  • Sapporo is known for its snow festival. It has hospitals like Hokkaido University Hospital and a lower cost of living. Doctor salaries: 600,000 – 2,200,000 JPY/month.

Does Japan Have English Speaking Doctors?

Yes, most of them have a basic understanding of English, but if you want to immigrate to Japan as a doctor, you must become fluent in Japanese. 

Immigrate to Japan as a Doctor: Let’s Recap

Foreign doctors can move to Japan and immigrate and work in Japan as a doctor. You learned the steps to immigrate to Japan as a doctor. Also, you have answers to your questions, and every stage is explained in detail. 

If you have questions, write them down in the comment section. The Visa Library team will answer them. You can find more information about Japanese visa types from the menu of the Visa Library. 

Frequently Asked Questions about Working as a Doctor in Japan

Yes, but you have to pass the stages explained in this article. Doctors from the US, the U.K., France, and Singapore can practice in Japan without a medical license. But their country must have an agreement with Japan, and these doctors can only see a patient from their home country, not foreign ones or Japanese patients.

Doctors are well paid in demand, and Japan is the third largest economy in the world. So you can say yes.

If your country has an agreement with Japan, you can see patients from your home country in Japan but not people from other countries or Japanese patients.

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