Shinobu Hattori
Suzuka University of Medical Science
The training of healthcare interpreters began in the late 1990s when non-profit organizations, volunteer organizations, and international exchange associations, which had been providing daily support and consultations for foreign residents, independently started training programs in response to the growing need for interpreting services. In 2010, the “Common Standards for Medical Interpreting” were established to clarify the role of medical interpreters, ensure interpreting skills and techniques, and unify ethical guidelines. In 2014, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare introduced the “Medical Interpreter Training Curriculum Standards” and created the Medical Interpreting textbook. This marked the beginning of graduate-level education aimed at training both practitioners and researchers in healthcare interpreting, replacing introductory programs previously offered to working professionals at universities. The advantages of this approach include practical training at university hospitals, specialized lectures by medical experts, and the acquisition of research methods related to healthcare interpreting. However, challenges remain, such as securing faculty to support a multilingual society, providing career-oriented education, and ensuring continuous professional development. Graduate programs in healthcare interpreting are expected to train both researchers and educators while maintaining a focus on developing highly skilled interpreters with the practical expertise needed in medical settings.
Naoko Ono
Juntendo University
Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine offers a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Communication, a medical interpreter training program accredited by the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. This program develops expertise in medical interpreting in English and Chinese while equipping students with health communication research skills and a strong foundation in public health. Since April 2023, graduates have been awarded an internationally recognized MPH degree, and the curriculum has been restructured to emphasize courses that are relevant to public health. The program fosters a strong research environment, with graduate students publishing peer-reviewed papers and delivering academic presentations within 3 years of its launch. Additionally, the program provides practical training through a hospital internship at Juntendo University Hospital in the second year, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in clinical settings. Students who complete the required coursework, pass all examinations, and obtain certification in designated subjects receive an MPH degree and become eligible for Japan Medical Education Foundation’s medical interpretation certification exams. The program aims to train medical interpreters with cutting edge medical knowledge, research skills, and professional expertise, ensuring effective communication between patients and healthcare professionals, while providing appropriate support to patients and their families.
Takayuki Oshimi
Office of Medical Education, School of Medicine, International University of Health and Welfare
Since 2017, the International University of Health and Welfare has offered a Master’s program in Healthcare Interpreting and International Healthcare Management. The program has two tracks: the One-Year Practical Track, which prepares students for careers in healthcare interpreting and international healthcare management, and the Two-Year Research Track, which focuses on academic research in these fields. The program has three key features. First, healthcare interpreting is integrated with international healthcare management education. Students learn interpreting skills, global healthcare policies, foreign patient acceptance procedures, and international healthcare marketing. The curriculum follows the Medical Interpreter Training Curriculum Standards set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and graduates qualify for certification exams set by the International Society for Clinical Medicine. Second, practical training is emphasized. Students engage in clinical simulations, expert-led medical lectures, and hands-on training with simulators and hospital equipment. Students also complete hospital-based practice to enhance their real-world competence. Third, the program fosters a strong peer and alumni network, connecting students from diverse professional backgrounds through collaborative learning and off-campus events. This network supports career advancement and lifelong professional development.
Kaori Minamitani1)2)
1)Rinku General Medical Center, Department of International Medical Care
2) University of Osaka Graduate School of Medicine Public Health
The University of Osaka merged with Osaka University of Foreign Studies in 2007; taking advantage of the strength of having medical and language specialists on campus, a medical interpreting course was launched as a “Graduate School Advanced Sub-Program” in the Graduate School of Human Sciences in April 2011. This was the first attempt in Japan to teach medical interpreting to graduate students, and the course was designed to provide students with the specialized knowledge, skills, and on-site readiness required of medical interpreters. However, despite the comprehensive course content, the course did not actually train medical interpreters who could work in the medical field. Therefore in 2015, the Graduate School of Medicine opened a new medical interpreter training course for working professionals, to develop a practical workforce. In the 8 years since the program opened, it has produced around 280 graduates who may become medical interpreters with certification by the International Society of Clinical Medicine after passing a designated exam.
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