Working in Japan as a foreign-trained clinician
The main rules for physicians and nurses qualified outside Japan.
General information only. Not an assessment of your case, and not legal advice.
1. Practising as a physician
In principle, you must pass Japan's national exam and hold a Japanese licence.
- Foreign graduates first apply for exam eligibility certification.
- Your education, licence and Japanese ability are reviewed.
- You then sit the national exam or a preliminary exam.
- The Ministry warns against anyone who guarantees certification.
Sources: Eligibility (MHLW, Japanese) / Outline / Steps
2. Clinical training system
Lets holders of a foreign licence provide care in Japan for training.
- Needs ministerial permission and a designated hospital.
- Care is given under supervision.
- Covers nurses as well as physicians.
- It is not an employment route and does not replace a licence.
Sources: Applications (MHLW, Japanese) / Notice on the system (Japanese)
3. Working as a nurse
Get exam eligibility certified, then sit the national nursing exam.
- Your nursing education is reviewed.
- Japanese ability (such as JLPT N1) is required.
- Similar rules apply to midwives and public health nurses.
Sources: Nursing eligibility (MHLW, Japanese) / Nursing-related exams
4. Medical Services residence status
For physicians, nurses and others with Japanese qualifications working in healthcare.
- Periods of stay: 5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months.
- Check documents and steps with the Immigration Services Agency.
Source: Medical Services (Immigration Services Agency)
Moving from Japan to another country
Start with the regulator in your destination country.
- US (physicians): USMLE / ECFMG
- UK (physicians): GMC / PLAB
- Singapore (physicians): SMC
- Australia (physicians): AMC
- Nurses: NCLEX / NMC
- Nurses (cont.): SNB / NMBA
Rules change. Check the official pages. Summary as of October 2026.