About Us

Japanese Physician Fellowship Program, Yokosuka

Officially known as the Japanese National Physician Graduate Medical Education Program, U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka has actively trained Japanese physicians in a one-year rotating fellowship since 1952. Education is conducted in English and focuses on a Western approach to medical care. Fellows learn outpatient and inpatient medicine, and assist as medical liaisons between USNH Yokosuka and local Japanese hospitals.

Six Japanese physicians are selected in August to begin training the following April. The year includes rotations in internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, radiology, orthopedics, anesthesia, dermatology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, and neurology. Six weeks of electives are available for fellows to choose from as well.

Fellows earn a base salary, allowances (commuting, regional, and dependence), summer and year-end bonuses, and overtime pay.

Fellows work Monday through Friday, and divide weekend and after-hours call. In general, call schedules are flexible and arranged by the chief fellow. Fellows will observe U.S. national holidays and limited Japanese holidays. Fellows receive health insurance for Japanese employees working on base.

Applicants to the Fellowship must be PGY-2 or higher and complete junior residency before starting the Fellowship.
For fellowship program inquiries, contact the program manager at usn.yokosuka.navhospyokosukaja.mbx.nh-yokosuka-fellowship-info@health.mil