Juntendo University, Tokyo, established in 1838.

Tradition runs deep at Juntendo

Medical school grooms 'patient-oriented' doctors

Undergraduate-M.D.

  With a history and tradition going back over 160 years,Juntendo University has grown and expanded over the years and now ranks as one of the outstanding medical institues in Japan.
  The university's progressive undergraduate curriculum allows each student to acquire medical education based on self-learning.
  Within the limited period of six years,Juntendo provides students with a comprehensive education which covers all of the major areas of the rapidly growing fields of modern medical science.Classes are integrated so that they build upon one another and foster an effective understanding of medical know-ledge.
  Juntendo believes that the most important facet of college medical education is not for students to obtain knowledge passively,but rather to develop an ability to think,learn and solve problems by themselves.Its educational principle is to educate students who can acquire "patient-oriented"attitudes and sensitivity,along with cooperation and consideration for others.
  The university at present has 540 undergraduate students in the M.D.course.Each year it admits 90 students to its freshman class out of some 180 applicants on average.The average ratio of women to men is about 2:3.The language used for education in the undergraduate course is Japanese.
  The undergraduate course curriculum is based on the university's policy of "keep advancing constantly,"which was instituted in 1997.The university graduates have consistently achieved a very high rate of passing the National Board of Medical Doctors Examination,so that slmost all of its students graduate and receive a Bachelor of Medicine degree (gakushi-igaku) nad the license to practice medicine within six years.
  Applicants are required to have 12 years of formal education or to have passed the Baccalaureat in France,or the Abitur in Germany,or an equivalent.
 The admission test in mathematics,sciences and English,and a personal interview,are held in February each year,and the date of admission is April 1.Total tuition for six years is ¥30.4 million.

Post-graduate Ph.D

  In both basic and clinical research,the university has grown into a top medical rearch institution and is consistently one of the largest recipients of the funding in Japan.
  Today,in era of rapid and substantial change in the medical world,the university is evolving into an even broader medical institution which will be a model for health care in the 21st century.
  The graduate program of Juntendo University is designed to provide the necessary theoretical and practical background for advanced studies in medical science.It fosters students' cultural development and encourages indepth learning in specialized fields under the guidance of eminent faculty members.
  The school prepares students to conduct independent research in their chosen fields and to serve as real professionals in the clinical, research and educational aspects of medical science.
  Juntendo University has the following departments or divisions:anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, bacteriology, parasitology, immunology, epidemiology and environmental health, public health, forensic medicine, medical history, medical education, general medicine,cardiology,gastroenterology,respiratory medicine, nephrology, rheumatology, hematology, metabolism and endocrinology, psychiatry, neurology, pediatrics, surgery, cardio-thoracic surgery, pediatric surgery neurosuregery, orthopedic surgery, dermatology, urology, opthamology, otolaryngology, radiology,obstetrics and gynecology, anesthesiology, clinical pathology, plastic surgery, transfusion medicine and hospital administration.
  The university accepts aplications for the Ph.D.course,graduate school of medicine,from non-Japanese people living outside of Japan in the period from Sept.1 to Sept.30 each year.
  Application forms include the following:application for admission;report of physical examination;letter of recomendation written in either Japanese or English by the applicant's supervisor,professor,director or president at his/her university,school institute,laboratory or hospital;essay written in Japanese or English(800-1,200 words)on why Juntendo University Graduate School was chosen;why a particular topic for research was chosen and the plants to achieve it; a list of his achievements written in Japanese or English;reprints of academic papers;copy of a certificate of hightest academic degree.(*Note that the applicants must have at least 18 years of school education before applying to the graduate school of medicine.)

  Resident training
  After students graduate from the undergraduate course and pass the required licensing examination for medical doctors in Japan (the Japanese National Board of Medicine Examination),they enter the phase of resident training at the university.
  The goal of continuing medical education is to promote life-long learning among physicians and other health-care professionals.
  Numerous formal courses in the departments of the Post-graduate Ph.D.section are offered throughout the year for residents in general practice,as well as in all specialties.Conferences and tutorial seminars are also available.
  In Japan,graduates of medical schools outside Japan who want to be members of a clinical house staff are required to hold a valied medical license from the Ministry of Health,Labor and Welfare.
  To get the Japanse license,they must pass two examinations-the pre-examination of the national medical board commonly known here as yobishiken,along with an oral examination,and the National Board of Medical Doctors Examination,which can be taken after passing the yobishiken.

  Research fellows
  Visiting research fellows at the university are expected to maintain a consistent level of performance and demonstrate qualities of initiative and dedication to their chosen profession.A scholarly attitude toward medicine that will continue throughout the entire career is an important requirement for researchers.
  Visiting research fellows who are committed to maintaining a professional attitude toward research are welcome at the university.Every year around 100 researchers apply to Juntendo,most of whom are from East Asia.
  Applicants are required to have graduated from a university or have at least 16 years of school education and possess sufficient funds for living in Japan and conducting research.These funds can include government scholarships and other public funds.
  Private visiting research fellows are not preferred unless their funds are sufficient to meet their research activities.It would be impossible to conduct research while working here for a living.