Celebrating a New Milestone for Family Medicine in Japan
The World Organization of Family Doctors (WONCA) is delighted to announce that the postgraduate training program of
the Japan Primary Care Association (JPCA) has successfully achieved full WONCA accreditation. This distinction
recognizes the JPCA's adherence to international standards in family medicine education and its commitment to elevating
primary care in Japan.
The accreditation process involved a comprehensive review, including a site visit in July 2024 by WONCA's expert team of assessors. The process was led by Professor Victor Ng, Chair of the WONCA Working Party on Education and Assistant Dean at Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, Canada, and Professor Krishna Suvarnabhumi, Asia-Pacific Representative for the WONCA Working Party on Education and Assistant Professor at Prince of Songkla University in Thailand. Both assessors praised the JPCA's commitment to excellence and
continuous improvement.
Professor Victor Ng, Chair of the WONCA Working Party on Education, commented:
“The JPCA program has demonstrated remarkable progress since our initial review. Their emphasis on robust faculty development,
structured assessments, and continuous quality improvement sets a benchmark for other postgraduate training programs worldwide.”
Professor Krishna Suvarnabhumi added:
“This accreditation highlights how a well-structured program can prepare residents to become family physicians who meet the
diverse needs of their communities. The JPCA has set a precedent not only for Japan but for the broader Asia-Pacific region.”
The JPCA has made continuous improvements to its training program since the recommendations and feedback from the
2019 WONCA accreditation visit. This includes extending the training to now offer a new four-year postgraduate program. These advancements
underscore JPCA’s commitment to shaping a future-ready generation of family doctors.
Mr. Atsushi Igaki, Chief Administrative Officer of the JPCA, shared his enthusiasm:
“In Japan, the concept of family medicine is not widely understood, which can discourage medical students from pursuing this
path. Through WONCA accreditation, we can confidently assure students and trainees that the JPCA program meets international
standards. We hope this recognition will inspire more young doctors to become family physicians, ultimately strengthening
primary care nationwide.”
Dr. Harris Lygidakis, CEO of WONCA, emphasized the broader scope of WONCA’s accreditation efforts:
“The JPCA's accreditation exemplifies how national organizations can benefit from WONCA's framework to enhance their training
programs. WONCA’s Accreditation Program supports family doctors worldwide by ensuring education and practices meet the highest
standards, from training programs to clinics and digital systems.”
Images from the site visit to JPCA in July 2024.
WONCA’s Accreditation Program
WONCA’s Accreditation Program currently offers the following services:
- Postgraduate Training Program Accreditation: Ensuring family medicine training meets international and local standards.
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Accreditation: Evaluating and enhancing CPD programs for family doctors worldwide.
- Practice Accreditation: Recognizing high-quality primary care practices and improving patient care standards.
- Assessment of Digital Systems: Certifying digital health platforms for their effectiveness, scalability, and alignment with healthcare standards.
In addition, WONCA has introduced the Development and Enhancement Program (DEP), a specialized consultancy designed to help healthcare
institutions improve their services, build capacity, and achieve better outcomes on their journey to full accreditation.
WONCA encourages other national and regional training programs to pursue accreditation and join the growing global community
committed to excellence in family medicine.
For more information about WONCA’s accreditation program and its impact, visit
WONCA's Accreditation Page.