School of Medicine

Jichi Medical University was established primarily for the purpose of fostering general practitioners to provide health care in remote areas. The University is constantly making efforts to enhance its attractiveness by contributing to the advancement of medicine. While continuing to improve the level of medical care at University hospitals, we are also focusing on active research based on our educational philosophy and we are aiming to establish a system that facilitates exchanges of human resources, and especially young researchers. A paramount goal for us is to attract excellent faculty members and students in order to achieve our mission. We are promoting research activities with a global perspective on the basis of our experience with the 21st Century COE Program, which was primarily supported by the collaborative efforts of our graduates throughout Japan.

Our master’s program provides educational and research opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. The doctoral program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation of academic knowledge and advanced research skills to become leaders in the field of medicine and health care. We also offer a graduate program for working professionals, enabling young medical doctors working in local communities to study without leaving their communities. In addition, we have a graduate program for those working at the University. A policy was implemented for full-time faculty in graduate programs in basic medicine. The Project for Fostering Next-generation Basic and Clinical Medical Researchers Rooted in Local Communities was initiated in 2025 under the Japan Science and Technology Agency’s (JST) Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation (SPRING). The objective of this initiative is to provide financial support and diverse career guidance to exceptional doctoral students. The University has also been actively collaborating with other research institutions and graduate schools.

The Center for Molecular Medicine, which promotes translational research aimed at clinical applications, has been the research heart of the University. The program has been supported by several programs including the High-tech Research Center (HRC) Program, the Program to Support the Creation of Strategic Research Sites at Private Universities, and the Private University Research Branding Project under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT). The Center has a flexible system to efficiently facilitate research that meets the demand of the times. It has also introduced a fixed-term employment system. To promote international exchanges, an international symposium is held annually, except in 2020 and 2021 to stop the spread of COVID-19. The Center for Development of Advanced Medical Technology has been supported as a Joint Usage/Research Center by MEXT. The renovated Center for Experimental Medicine is now fully operational.

Clinical research is absolutely vital to developing new medical technology. In order to facilitate clinical research, the Center for Clinical Investigation has been re-organized within Jichi Medical University Hospital. The Data Science Center was established to manage large-scale health care and biomedical data. The Open Innovation Center for Large Joint Research, the Center for Gene Therapy Research, and the Health Equity Regional Innovation Center have been established. The Center for Gene Therapy Research has been a center supported by AMED for regenerative and cell medicine and gene therapy research since 2023. The University also provides support for ventures starting at the University.

The University, which is a unique institution as seen from a global standpoint, intends to further advance research.