Japanese Physician Fellowship Program

Updated 26 May 2026

Program Directors’ Welcome

Fellow Expectations and Roles

Transfer

Patient transfer is one of the core responsibilities of fellows. Fellows act as a medical liaison between Yokota physicians and outside hospitals, ensuring clear communication of the patient’s condition and required level of care. All transfers are conducted under attending supervision, and fellows do not make independent medical decisions. The process begins when a physician contacts the fellow, who gathers key clinical information and arranges transfer acceptance with a receiving hospital. Once accepted, the fellow accompanies the patient via hospital transport and hands over care to the receiving team.

Rotation Schedule and Curriculum

Although fellows are not credentialed to independently manage patients at Yokota Hospital, they actively participate in patient care under the supervision of an attending physician throughout each rotation. Fellows have ample opportunities to practice history taking, physical examinations, clinical presentations, and medical documentation. Over the course of 12 months, fellows rotate through core hospital departments. The minimum duration for each rotation is two weeks, with the option to repeat rotations based on individual preferences.

Teaching, Conferences, and Education

Case Presentations (by fellows to faculty): 1st Wednesday & 2nd Tuesday, 1200–1300

Staff Lectures: Thursdays, 1200–1300 (twice a month)

Journal Club: Every 3 months

Life Support Certifications: BLS, ALS, PALS

Sample Daily Schedule (Internal Medicine Fellow)

07:30 – 11:30 Clinical Rotation (Observation, Patient Interviews)

11:30 – 13:00 Break (Lunch, Self-Study)

13:00 – 16:30 Clinical Rotation (Observation, Patient Interviews)

• The schedule may vary depending on the rotation.

• Fellows may use free time for self-study when there are no patient encounters.

• On on-call days, fellows assist with patient transfer if a call occurs during rotation

• Each transfer takes approximately 3 hours on average from call to return, depending on the case.

Graduate Voices

"What stays with me from my year at the 374th Medical Group is how the team treated me — as a colleague, not a guest. The trust placed in us, especially around patient transfer coordination, is what makes this fellowship unique.

If you are drawn to Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, or Primary Care, the environment here is built around exactly that philosophy. You might be challenged, but never alone. If you are even a little curious — just apply.

You will leave this year a better physician, with friends across two countries." - Takahiro Kobayashi, M.D. Class of 2025

"After five years of clinical experience in Japan, this fellowship at Yokota became the essential bridge to my EM residency in US. While differences in medical practice occasionally made patient transfers a challenge, the providers here truly respected my clinical insights as a Japanese fellow. I am also deeply grateful for the program's flexibility, which allowed me to balance my duties with the residency application process and exams like the USMLE and OET.

I had the great opportunity to work alongside and learn from a variety of providers including amazing EM attendings. Beyond the clinical setting, immersing myself in military culture and celebrating American holidays like Thanksgiving and Halloween provided a vital foundation for my future life in the US. This year significantly improved my medical knowledge, communication skills, and cultural fluency, all of which led to my successful match. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in American culture, military culture, or pursuing a residency in the United States. " - Kazuaki Sato, M.D. Class of 2025

"My one-year experience at Yokota Air Force Hospital, Tokyo was truly invaluable and irreplaceable. It provided a unique opportunity not only to learn about the differences in medical systems and cultures between Japan and the United States, but also to experience aspects of healthcare that are specific to the U.S. military setting. In addition, its location in Tokyo offers excellent convenience, allowing trainees to gain a wide range of experiences while staying in Japan. 

If you are interested, I strongly encourage you to participate in open house. " - Harunori Mise, M.D. Class of 2025

In 2015, Yokota’s Medical Group began training Japanese physicians in a one-year rotating education program. Education is conducted in English and focuses on familiarizing and acculturating Japanese physicians to the practice of medicine in the United States. Accepted Japanese physicians learn outpatient and inpatient medicine as they would experience it in an American hospital-based residency program. Additionally, physicians in the program assist as medical liaisons between Yokota's hospital and local Japanese hospitals.

Three Japanese physicians are selected in August to begin training the following April.

Physicians will work 40 hours per week which may be required to work night, early morning, weekends and holidays. Japanese physicians will observe U.S. national holidays and the following Japanese holidays: Birthday holiday, Marine Day, Year-End and New Year holidays. Japanese physician salary is approximately JPY 300,000 per month before taxes and bonuses.

Japanese physicians are insured with health insurance for Japanese employees working on base.

Yokota Air Base is a tobacco-free campus. Smoking is not permitted in or near the hospital.

Qualification:応募資格

*Japanese citizens or permanent residents of Japan.

*Must possess Japanese Doctor's License.

*To possess English Language Proficiency Level 4(LPL-4) : TOEIC:860～、TOEFL(PBT):600～、TOEFL(CBT):250～、TOEFL(iBT):100～、Eiken:1st～　

LPL-3 applicants will be also considered:　TOEIC:730～、TOEFL(PBT):550～、

TOEFL(CBT):210～、TOEFL(iBT):80～、Eiken:Pre-1st～、CASEC:870～　

• It is preferred that new fellows will have completed PGY 2 by the time they start their fellowship at Yokota Air Base.

• All fellows need to find off-base housing within 30-minute radius driving from Yokota Hospital - commuting by car is highly recommended.

To apply, please follow the following steps: 応募方法、必要書類

1. Complete the below a-d forms

a. JPFP application form (click here)

b. USFJ Form 196aEJ (click here) 日本語と英語の両面を記入して下さい

c. Addendum to the application (click here)

d. Resume of specialized work experience (click here)

2. Email the below 1-8 (or 1-9, if 9 is applicable) documents

1. Completed forms above (a-d).

2. Recent photograph of yourself (passport style, official size not required).

3. Certificate of English Proficiency.

4. Copy of your Japanese doctor’s license.

5. Current curriculum vitae, written in English.

6. Two letters of recommendation from faculty members you have worked with.

7. Copy of your passport or permanent resident card

8. Copy of your medical school graduation certificate

(9. Copy of PGY 2 completion certificate or letter from your hospital stating you  

    are in your PGY 2 year, if applicable)

*Email address usaf.yokota.374-mdg.mbx.374-mdg-japanese-physician-fellowship@health.mil

*IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING E-MAIL ADDRESSES

   Unfortunately, the US Air Force often blocks yahoo e-mails and cellular/smart phone

   e-mails.  E-mails from g-mail should not be blocked.

Applications are accepted now for the class beginning in April 2027.

Application deadline is 13 July (Mon) 2026.

応募締切は２０２６年７月１３日（月）です。 

Interviews will be held on 23 July (Thu) 2026 (in-person interview at Yokota hospital).

面接日は２０２６年７月２３日（木）です。横田病院にて行います。

Open House on 30 June (Tue) 2026 at 12:30pm

オープンハウスを６月３０日（火）の午後１２時半から行います

（*オープンハウス参加はプログラム応募に必須ではありません）

Yokota Air Base hospital offers a half day open house for Japanese physicians interested in our Fellowship Program on 30 June at 12:30pm.  The open house is designed to orient attendees to the hospital and the Fellowship Program.  No application is required but arrangements must be made in advance.  If you are interested, please send us e-mail usaf.yokota.374-mdg.mbx.374-mdg-japanese-physician-fellowship@health.mil with your name, age, date of birth, address, medical specialty, nationality, name of medical school you graduated and current medical practice address.

If you have questions, please email us: usaf.yokota.374-mdg.mbx.374-mdg-japanese-physician-fellowship@health.mil

何か質問等ございましたら、ご遠慮なく上記メールアドレスへメールでご質問下さい。