Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW) is preparing to launch a pioneering program aimed at funding the medical education of select Asian students. This initiative seeks to strengthen diplomatic ties with neighboring countries while promoting Japanese medical equipment and pharmaceuticals throughout Asia.

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Set to begin in fiscal year 2026, the program will provide financial support for tuition and living expenses for around 20 students on a trial basis. Applicants will be selected through the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), based in Indonesia.

The chosen students will undergo Japanese language training in their home countries before enrolling in six-year medical programs at Japanese universities, ultimately earning a doctor’s license.

The ministry has allocated ¥290 million in its supplementary 2024 budget to fund this initiative, though details regarding eligible countries and participating universities are still being finalized.

The program will mainly target students, particularly from countries like Vietnam, with the expectation that they will return home to practice medicine under specific conditions. Currently, international students account for less than 1% of Japan’s total medical school enrollment.

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