It is my great pleasure to send a special message of encouragement to foreign applicants to Shinshu University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine.

The history of Shinshu University School of Medicine goes back 60 years.  Since its inception, the school has played the key role as the regional center for medicine. Adding 100 freshmen in April every year, 600 students are enrolled and receive a mandatory six-year education at the undergraduate level.  In October, 2002, School of Allied Medical Sciences was reorganized as the School of Health Sciences in the School of Medicine, and it has more than 600 students in their 4 year program.  The School of Medicine and the School of Health Sciences both established a master course in 2002 and 2006 respectively to foster highly qualified health professionals aiming at integration of academia, clinical medicine, medical industry, and health promotion.  As for the graduate level, about 60 new students join the four-year Ph. D. program and 50 new students for two-year master programs each year.

For these several years, new divisions and facilities have been constantly added; in 2003 Clinical Trial Management Center and the Medical Education Center, in 2004 Institute of Organ Transplants, Reconstructive Medicine and Tissue Engineering, Postgraduate Clinical Training Center, and The Intellectual Property Center, just name a few.  In 2005 and 2006, Advanced Medical Center, Department of Clinical Urologic and Pharmacological Research, and Shinshu Comprehensive Cancer Center were also established.

As a result of constant renovation, Shinshu University School of Medicine and the Graduate School of Medicine currently consists of 37 departments; 27 in basic and clinical medicine, 4 domains in the School of Health Sciences, 3 graduate domains in the Institute of Organ Transplants, Reconstructive Medicine and Tissue Engineering, and 3 domains in the Institute on Aging and Adaptation.

Though liver transplantation, regenerative medicine, and clinical genetics are the fields the school has received much publicity by media, our medical education and research cover wide range from molecular biology to clinical and social medicine. The major fields in Health Sciences study and research cover nursing, laboratory science, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

   Since 1974 when the first foreign student graduated from the School, more than 200 international students have successfully completed their study and are rendering service to the medical profession all over the world. We will further promote international exchanges of students and scholars and encourage direct contact between people of different cultural backgrounds.

Shinshu University School of Medicine is in the City of Matsumoto, NaganoPrefecture, situated in the central region of Japan. It is a basin surrounded by the high mountain chain called the Japan Alps, and has long enjoyed a reputation as a historical castle town, flourishing with culture. Kamikochi, a doorway to the Northern Japan Alps and the nation's most visited scenic spot, merged into Matsumoto City as of April 1, 2005. Those students and scholars with full of dreams and passion, come to Shinshu to learn, research and work with us!  When your wish comes true, you will certainly enjoy an enriching life in this city of nature, culture, and excellence.