Medical, Public Health & Pharmaceuticals internship in Japan
Support international patient teams, health research and public health projects in hospitals and health organizations in Tokyo.
What you'll do
Your day-to-day
As a Medical, Public Health & Pharmaceuticals intern in Japan, you might:
- Observe health teams where your host and your studies allow it.
- Help international patient teams with appointments, forms and paperwork.
- Help prepare health education materials in English.
- Collect and enter data for research or quality projects.
- Support a pharmacy or lab with stock lists and records.
You'll never treat patients or do anything that needs a license, but you'll see how a health system that cares for an aging population works.
Local know-how
What to know before you go
Medical and public health in Tokyo
Japan has a public health insurance system that covers everyone living in the country. It also has an aging population, so care for older people, long-term care and prevention are big themes in Japanese health work.
Tokyo, where most of our interns in Japan are based, has many hospitals, universities and research organizations. Most patient care in Japan is in Japanese, so your language skills shape what you can do. Depending on your host, you might help with international patient paperwork, research, data work or health education, and observe where your host allows. As an intern you observe and support: you never treat patients or do anything that needs a license. Tell your career advisor what you study and which languages you speak, so we can look for the closest match.
Job roles
Clinical Observation Intern
Shadow health teams where your host and your studies allow it.
International Patient Services Intern
Help with appointments, paperwork and questions from patients who do not speak Japanese.
Public Health Intern
Help with health education and projects on topics such as prevention and care for older people.
Health Research Intern
Collect data, review studies and help write short research summaries.
Pharmacy Support Intern
Help with stock lists, records and quality checks in a pharmacy or lab.
Health Administration Intern
Help manage records and keep a clinic or hospital department running smoothly.
Your exact tasks depend on your host organization, your level of study and your language skills, and all our host organizations in Japan work in English.
The industry
The Medical, Public Health & Pharmaceuticals industry in Japan
Economic impact
Everyone living in Japan is covered by public health insurance, and with an aging population, care for older people is a major theme.
Technology
Hospitals and research centers use advanced medical equipment and digital records.
Career opportunities
Clinical medicine, public health, pharmacy, research and hospital administration are all open to you, and your internship helps you see which path fits.
Prices
How much it costs
Asia Internship Program prices depend on your program and how long you stay. See the destination page for the full price table.
FAQ
Questions interns ask
Can international students do a medical internship in Japan?
Yes. Medicine, nursing, pharmacy and public health students are welcome, as are graduates and career changers. We'll match you to a host based on your studies and language skills.
Do I need to speak Japanese for a medical internship in Tokyo?
Not for the job, because our host organizations work in English. Most patient care is in Japanese, though, so Japanese helps. Without it, your tasks may lean toward research, data and international patient work.
Will I treat patients on a medical internship in Japan?
No. You might observe, help with research, data and paperwork, and support the team. Anything that needs a license stays with licensed staff.
Which visa do I need for a medical internship in Japan?
Visa assistance is included in every program. We confirm your visa route before you pay the deposit and prepare the documents your embassy asks for.
Applications open all year
Your field, somewhere new.
It's free to apply, and you only pay a deposit once you're accepted.