Tokyo Medical University

Tokyo Medical University can trace its origins to the establishment of the Tokyo Medical Teaching Establishment in 1916, when some 450 students at the then Japan Medical College found themselves with no choice but to resign. They then enlisted the offices of Takuya Takahashi, who, at great personal sacrifice, helped them establish a new venue at which to pursue their studies. This new establishment, which later evolved into Tokyo Medical School, celebrated its 100th anniversary last year as Tokyo Medical University. From the very outset, our students have played an integral role in the life of this college, an establishment committed to the spirit of “Self-Reliance and Self-Study”, with the motto “Justice, Friendship, and Service.” Thus, our mission lies in fostering young men and women who are considerate of others, have a strong sense of ethics, and who are determined to serve society as a whole.

Work to introduce the new medical curriculum commenced in 2014, and we have already introduced clinical clerkships and ICT in line with international standards. In 2016, we were successfully assessed by the Japan Accreditation Council for Medical Education. Moreover, our new nursing school, established in 2013, is now actively training young nursing professionals capable of cooperating with medical staff in the provision of team care. Internationalization continues to gather pace. Therefore, we believe that fostering young medical professionals capable of making the most of their skills in a wide range of environments, including at the international level, is our mission as a university. In response to this challenge, we have introduced a wide range of tailor-made programs in English for Medical Purposes and continue to increase opportunities for international exchange. We hope that you, our students, will take full advantage of these various programs.

“Self-Reliance and Self-Study” is our guiding principle in our teaching and research activities. However, communication and application are also a must for any good researcher or medical professional. Technology continues to move forward at a rapid pace. And at the same time, there is a constant need to enrich exchange between both individuals and organizations.

The year 2016 saw Tokyo Medical University celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding. This significant milestone in our history was marked by a panoply of events, including the opening of a new nursing school, the commencement of work on our new hospital, and the drawing up of a 10-year strategy for the future. A commemorative banquet was graced by the presence of their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Akishino. This was followed over the next few days by lectures and a concert further celebrating this achievement. We are pleased that many distinguished guests from overseas were able to attend these festivities, all of which were hugely successful. I believe that this was only possible because all of our staff came together as one to make this such a memorable occasion.

The year, 2017, will mark the launching of this university on the next 100 years of its history. Rapidly shifting changes in domestic demographics and economic considerations mean that the voyage ahead will be by no means easy, and many storms lie in wait. Therefore, it is all the more important that we return to our roots. We must deeply consider our shared future goals and plans on how to achieve them, bringing all our respective abilities to bear on overcoming each and every challenge that will arise during the journey ahead.

Over the last few years, we have strived to fulfill our mission as a medical university by maintaining a good balance among the cornerstones of our activities here: education, research, the provision of medical care, and contributing to society as a whole, which is our social duty. As a result, we are now beginning to see our endeavors bear fruit, with an increased success rate in the national examinations for doctors and nurses, greater allocation of public funds for research, more papers published in English, strengthened revenues from provision of care, and improved finances all round. However, we must not be complacent: all efforts must be made to continue along this path.