Japan expects the supply and demand for doctors to reach balance by 2029, after which demand is set to decline. However, the uneven distribution of doctors across regions and medical specialties remains a challenge.
To address this, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan has launched a programme to train doctors who can provide comprehensive care tailored to patients’ needs, rather than focusing only on specific organs or diseases.
The programme will strengthen hubs for comprehensive care at university hospitals, combining outpatient and inpatient services. It will also promote long-term, continuous clinical placements in regional communities.
