Completing an MBBS program in Japan usually takes around six years to complete, which includes five years of theoretical learning and one year of mandatory internship. Besides this, for Indian students who want to study MBBS in Japan, they need to first have a valid NEET score and then show Japanese language proficiency. Most specifically at the JLPT N1 or N2 levels in order to be eligible. In this blog, we will talk about more such requirements and details for studying medicine in Japan. So read on!
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In recent years, Japan has seen significant growth in the number of international students coming there for their higher education, especially for MBBS. In fact, as of 2025, Japan offers roughly 82 private and public medical universities in which about 12% seats are specifically reserved for international students.
In most ways, a medical degree or MBBS in Japan is similar to an MBBS in India. However, in Japan, the medical degree is usually offered as a Bachelor of Medicine or MD, which is called Igaku-ka. Understand the difference between MBBS programs in Japan and MBBS programs in India with the comparison table below:
| Feature | Japan (MD/MBBS) | India (MBBS) |
| Duration | 6 Years (2 years classroom + 4 years clinical/hospital rotations) | 5.5 Years (4.5 years classroom + 1 year internship) |
| Medium | Primarily Japanese; some English-medium courses exist for pre-clinical years | English |
| Core Subjects | 19 compulsory subjects (aligned with global standards) | 19 compulsory subjects |
| Clinical Focus | High emphasis on advanced technology, AI, and robotic surgery | Traditional focus on clinical examination and high patient volume |
If we talk about the overall structure of Medical degree or MBBS programs in Japan, they follow a very standardised structure which is mandated by the Ministry of Education (MEXT) and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW). And as of 2026, the medical schools in Japan follow the 2022 Model Core curriculum (MCC), which makes two third coursework the same across all of its 82 medical schools.
Here is a table that breaks down the six-year program structure of MBBS in Japan:
| Years | Course Phase | Key Subjects |
| 1–2 | Pre-Medical & Basics | Liberal arts (ethics, humanities), basic sciences (Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology), early exposure to clinical settings |
| 3–4 | Pre-Clinical & Clinical | Organ-system learning, Pathology, Pharmacology, Forensic & Social Medicine, research lab rotation |
| 5–6 | Clinical Clerkship | Hands-on hospital training in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, Psychiatry, Emergency Medicine. |
Now, the main part, why should Indian students study MBBS in Japan?
To begin with, in recent years, Japan has become an emerging destination for medical education, not just for Indian students but for students from all over the world. And three of the major reasons besides this are its high-quality education, highly developed healthcare system, and great post-work opportunities.
Below are a few reasons why MBBS in Japan for Indian students is a great option:
The medical colleges in Japan are among the best in Asia as well as the world. Most of them rank highly in world university rankings like the THE and QS rankings for their research output, quality of the faculty, and medicine programs. You can use our college finder tool to filter out one that best suits your needs.
Below is a list of the top medical universities in Japan. Take a look:
| University | 2026 QS World University | Acceptance rate |
| University of Tokyo (Public University) | 36 | 32-36% |
| Kyoto University (National research university) | 57 | 11% |
| Osaka University (National research university) | 91 | 41-60% |
| Tohoku University (National research university) | 109 | 30-41% |
| Nagoya University (National research university) | 164 | 0-9% |
| Hokkaido University (public research university | 170 | 0-9% |
| Kyushu University (National research university) | 170 | 14% |
| Keio University (private research university) | 215 | 23-24% |
| Tokyo Medical and Dental University (Public University) | 697 | 20-29% |
| Chiba University (Public University) | #791 800 | 20-40% |
The Japan MBBS fees for public universities are usually set by the Japanese government and are fixed across all the Medical colleges. The main intent behind this is to provide both national and international students equal and affordable access to medical resources. Moreover, the Japan Medical College fees are the same for both domestic and international students. Below is a breakdown:
| Type of University | Annual Tuition Fees | Total 6-Year MBBS Cost |
| National Universities | ¥535,800 – ¥820,000 ( INR 3.10L – 4.75L) | ¥3,214,800 – ¥4,920,000 (INR 18.65L – 28.47L) |
| Private Universities | ¥1,800,000 – ¥3,100,000 (INR 10.44L – 18.00L) | ¥10,800,000 – ¥18,600,000 (INR 62.64L – 1.08Cr) |
| Public Universities | ¥600,000 – ¥1,000,000 (INR 3.48L – 5.80L) | ¥3,600,000 – ¥6,000,000 (INR 20.88L – 34.80L) |
The specialisations in Japan are usually seen by the Japan Medical Speciality Board (JMSB), and they define 19 main specialities, which are followed by most of the medical graduates in Japan. While you can use our course finder tool to find a course that best suits your background, below are some of the top specialisations for MBBS in Japan that you can consider:
| MBBS Specialisation | Major Focus |
| Internal Medicine | Diagnosis/treatment of adult diseases (respiratory, digestive, kidney, immune). |
| Surgery | General, Orthopedic, Neurosurgery, Urology, Plastic Surgery, Vascular Surgery. |
| Paediatrics | Care for infants, children, and adolescents. |
| Radiology | Medical imaging and interventions. |
| Dermatology | Skin, hair, and nail conditions. |
| Neurology | Brain, spinal cord, and nerve disorders (including Neurosurgery). |
| Psychiatry | Mental health disorders. |
| Cardiology | Heart conditions (often within Internal Medicine). |
| Emergency Medicine | Acute and critical care. |
| Anaesthesiology | Pain management and sedation during surgery. |
| Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology (ENT) | Eye and ear/nose/throat care. |
To study MBBS in Japan, Indian needs to meet various academic and language requirements. These include:
Besides the above core eligibility requirement, Indian students also need to pass mandatory entrance exams to do MBBS from Japan, which include:
Below are the required documents that you will need to submit when applying for MBBS in Japan. Take a look:
The admission process for MBBS in Japan for Indian students usually includes NEET UG, Entrance exams, and other university specific requirements. Below is the step-by-step process:
For MBBS in Japan, you can choose between two intake cycles. The primary one is the spring intake, which begins in April and is one of the most common entry points for both international and domestic students.
| Intake | Start Date | Application Period |
| Spring Intake | Apr-27 | August – October 2026 |
| Autumn Intake | Oct-27 | December 2026 – April 2027 |
You can apply for a Japanese student visa after getting admission into a Japanese medical college. For this, you can follow the steps below:
Step 1: Certificate of Eligibility (COE): After you get admission, the university applies for the COE for you. This usually takes 1–3 months.
Step 2: Student Visa Application: Once you receive the COE, apply for a student visa at the Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
Step 3: Visa Approval: The visa is usually issued within 5–10 working days.
The MBBS cost in Japan varies widely depending on the city and your lifestyle. However, you can easily expect to spend ¥80,000 - ¥150,000 per month, which is around INR 45,820 – INR 86,100. Below is a breakdown of this:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost (JPY/month) | Approx. Cost (INR/month) |
| Accommodation (Dorm/Shared) | ¥30,000 – ¥70,000 | ₹16,000 – ₹37,000 |
| Food & Groceries | ¥20,000 – ¥40,000 | ₹11,000 – ₹21,000 |
| Transportation | ¥5,000 – ¥15,000 | ₹2,700 – ₹8,000 |
| Utilities & Internet | ¥7,000 – ¥12,000 | ₹3,700 – ₹6,400 |
| Mobile/Phone | ¥2,000 – ¥4,000 | ₹1,100 – ₹2,100 |
| Health Insurance | ¥1,000 – ¥3,000 | ₹530 – ₹1,600 |
| Books & Supplies | ¥3,000 – ¥5,000 | ₹1,600 – ₹2,700 |
| Miscellaneous & Leisure | ¥6,000 – ¥15,000 | ₹3,200 – ₹8,000 |
| Total | ¥80,000 – ¥150,000 | ₹42,000 – ₹80,000+ |
Note: This is just an estimated approx. cost of studying MBBS in Japan. This can be especially true in big cities like Tokyo and Osaka.
There are also a number of private and university specific scholarships to study MBBS in Japan for Indian students. These usually provide extended support, as the medical programs in Japan are usually 6 years long.
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility | Benefits |
| MEXT Undergraduate Scholarship (Medicine) | International students applying through embassy or university; strong academic record | Full tuition, monthly stipend (¥117,000), round-trip airfare, 7-year coverage |
| ASEAN–Japan Medical Scholarship Programme | Students from ASEAN member countries | Full tuition, living expenses, airfare |
| JASSO Honors Scholarship | Privately funded international students with high GPA enrolled in Japan | Monthly stipend (¥48,000) |
| Keio University Scholarships | International medical students at Keio University | Grants up to ¥1,000,000 per year |
| Kyoto University Scholarships | Merit-based international medical students | Tuition support and living allowance |
| Honjo International Scholarship Foundation | High-achieving international students (including medicine) | Tuition and living support |
| ADB–Japan Scholarship Program (ADB-JSP) | Students from ADB member countries in health-related studies | Tuition, living costs, airfare |
After you complete your MBBS from Japan, you can take up various job roles in Japan, India, and internationally. Below are some career options Indian students can opt for:
| Career Option | Estimated Salary in Japan | Requirements |
| Medical Practice in Japan | ¥10,000,000 – ¥15,000,000/year (≈ INR 58L – 87L) | Pass the Japanese National Medical Licensing Exam + JLPT N1 |
| Residency / Clinical Training | ¥4,500,000 – ¥6,000,000/year (≈ INR 26L – 35L) | University recommendation + Japanese language proficiency |
| Medical Research (PhD) | ¥3,000,000 – ¥4,500,000/year (≈ INR 17L – 26L) | MBBS + eligibility for research programs |
| Practice in India after MBBS | Salary varies by city and specialization | Qualify NExT (National Exit Test) |
| Practice in Other Countries | Salary varies by country and specialization | Clear relevant licensing exams (USMLE for US, PLAB for UK, AMC for Australia) |
Summing up, once you complete your MD program or MBBS in Japan, you can either stay in Japan and practice clinically and conduct research or return home. If you plan to stay and practice in Japan, then you will have to navigate a highly regulated process which includes medical licensing and residency. You can also return to India and qualify for the NExT (National Exit Test) or FMGE to be eligible for licensing in India. Similarly, to practice in Western countries like the USA/UK/Australia, you can pass their licensing programs like USMLE, PLAB/UKMLA, or AMC for licensing.
Want to know more about doing MBBS in Japan for Indian students? Connect with Gradding’s study abroad consultants and simplify your study in Japan journey with tailored assistance.
NEET is an important requirement to study MBBS in Japan for Indian students. It is a part of a standard eligibility package in Japanese medical schools, and the Japanese embassy or consulate might also require you to submit valid NEET scores to issue a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for your student visa.
Yes, you can work part-time while studying in Japan. But you will need to get a "permission to engage in activities other than those permitted under the status of residence previously granted" from an immigration service bureau. You will only be allowed to work for 28 hours a week during your school term and 40 hours per week during long holidays.
When studying MBBS in Japan, you can easily expect to spend around ¥100,000 to ¥150,000 ($650–$1,000 USD) per month. This includes expenses like accommodation, food & groceries, transportation, health insurance, and other miscellaneous costs.
Having Japanese language proficiency is an important requirement for MBBS and clinical practice in Japan. In fact, many of the MBBS programs in Japan require international students to have JLPT N2 or N1 levels before clinical training.
Indian students who completed their MBBS in Japan can practice in India and abroad. To practice in India, students need to pass the NExT/FMGE to obtain medical licensure. To practice in Japan, students need to pass the Japanese National Medical Licensing Examination, and to practice abroad in countries like the USA or the UK, they need to pass the USMLE or PLAB.
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