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• About JMA
  1. Introduction
  2. Message from the President
  3. Board of Trustees
  4. Principles of Medical Ethics
  5. JMA Codes of Principles
  6. Overview »
     • Organization Chart
     • Number of Physicians
• Activities
  1. General Activities
  2. International Activities »
     • WMA
     • CMAAO
     • International Cooperation Activities
     • Cooperation with Harvard University
  3. Great East Japan Earthquake »
     • Appreciation for Donations
     • JMA Disaster Headquarters Status Reports
     • Related Articles in JMAJ
• Journals
  1. JMA Journal
  2. Previous Journals »
     • JMAJ
     • Asian Medical Journal
• Affiliations
  1. JMARI
  2. JMACCT
  3. JAMS
• WMA Policies
• Links

Overview

The JMA was founded by Dr. Shibasaburo Kitasato (first JMA President) in 1916, as a private academic organization that supports the medical practice of physicians. The World Medical Association acknowledges the JMA as the only professional organization in Japan that physicians join in their individual capacity.

Under the cooperation with the prefectural medical associations and municipal medical associations, the JMA aims to enhance medical ethics, develop medical science and medicine, and improve public health, thereby promoting social welfare. There are 891 municipal medical associations, 47 prefectural medical associations, and the JMA's membership is approximately 170,199, or approximately 55% of all licensed physicians in Japan (as of December 2017). The members of the JMA belong to any of the prefectural medical associations in Japan, each of which functions as an independent corporation. Membership includes 82,244 self-employed physicians, 83,534 physicians employed by hospitals or clinics, and 4,421 hospital residents.

The JMA's activities are extensive and aim at enhancing the level of medical ethics, encouraging continuing medical education, promoting comprehensive progress in medicine and related sciences, and other objectives. The JMA examines the framework of future medicine, facilitates physician-friendly medical environments, and promotes better healthcare for the people.

Publications

The Journal of the Japan Medical Association (Nihon Ishikai Zasshi)
The official publication of the JMA is published monthly for distribution to all members.

JMA News (Nichii News)
This newsletter deals with matters related to medical policies and is published semimonthly for distribution to all members.

JMA Journal
Peer-reviewed general medical journal of the JMA and the Japanese Association Medical Sciences.