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Doctors

How to become an Occupational Physician

Also called: Doctor

Uses medical knowledge as a doctor in companies and other organisations, giving guidance so workers can work healthily and comfortably.

How to become one

You can do this work as a doctor who meets one of the conditions (1) to (4) below and is appointed by an employer as the occupational physician for a workplace. (1) Completing the Japan Medical Association's basic training in occupational medicine or the University of Occupational and Environmental Health's basic course in occupational medicine. (2) Graduating from the School of Medicine of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health (*). (3) Passing the health category of the occupational health consultant exam. (4) Having experience as a full-time lecturer or above teaching occupational health at a university. The law allows you to gain the qualification and work as an occupational physician after getting a medical licence, but companies look for a track record and experience, so, as with other clinical specialties, many people train to become occupational physicians or gain clinical experience in other fields before starting occupational medicine partway through their careers. Occupational physicians and employers are often matched through agencies specialising in occupational medicine, introductions from other doctors or local medical associations. In cities in recent years, work dealing with mental health problems has increased, so more occupational physicians have experience in psychosomatic medicine or psychiatry. Some people also choose to work as occupational physicians after life events such as having a child or caring for a family member. Important for the job are respect for workers and company managers, interview skills that avoid talking down to people, and specialist knowledge of public health, hygiene and health management. Occupational physicians often work alone in each workplace, so even after starting it is important to keep developing yourself by attending training and keeping in touch with other occupational physicians. The Japan Medical Association has a scheme of certified occupational physicians who have completed the basic training in occupational medicine. To keep this qualification you must complete the required continuing training in occupational medicine every 5 years. (*) You must complete set training after graduating and then gain a medical licence.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Occupational Physician?

You can do this work as a doctor who meets one of the conditions (1) to (4) below and is appointed by an employer as the occupational physician for a workplace. (1) Completing the Japan Medical Association's basic training in occupational medicine or the University of Occupational and Environmental Health's basic course in occupational medicine. (2) Graduating from the School of Medicine of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health (*). (3) Passing the health category of the occupational health consultant exam. (4) Having experience as a full-time lecturer or above teaching occupational health at a university. The law allows you to gain the qualification and work as an occupational physician after getting a medical licence, but companies look for a track record and experience, so, as with other clinical specialties, many people train to become occupational physicians or gain clinical experience in other fields before starting occupational medicine partway through their careers. Occupational physicians and employers are often matched through agencies specialising in occupational medicine, introductions from other doctors or local medical associations. In cities in recent years, work dealing with mental health problems has increased, so more occupational physicians have experience in psychosomatic medicine or psychiatry. Some people also choose to work as occupational physicians after life events such as having a child or caring for a family member. Important for the job are respect for workers and company managers, interview skills that avoid talking down to people, and specialist knowledge of public health, hygiene and health management. Occupational physicians often work alone in each workplace, so even after starting it is important to keep developing yourself by attending training and keeping in touch with other occupational physicians. The Japan Medical Association has a scheme of certified occupational physicians who have completed the basic training in occupational medicine. To keep this qualification you must complete the required continuing training in occupational medicine every 5 years. (*) You must complete set training after graduating and then gain a medical licence.

How much does an Occupational Physician earn in Japan?

Average annual income in the private sector, bonus included, is ¥15,122,500 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). The figure is for the wage survey group Doctors, which covers several jobs.

Do you need a degree to become an Occupational Physician?

Usually. In this job's census occupation group, 99% of workers are university graduates.

Will AI change the work of an Occupational Physician?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 解説系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_description_7_01.xlsx）ver.7.01 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

独立行政法人労働政策研究・研修機構（JILPT）作成 職業情報データベース 簡易版数値系ダウンロードデータ（IPD_DL_numeric_7_00.xlsx）ver.7.00 職業情報提供サイト（job tag）より2026年10月4日にダウンロード（https://shigoto.mhlw.go.jp/User/download）を加工して作成

Sources: JILPT Occupational Information Database download data via job tag (解説系 ver.7.01 and 簡易版数値系 ver.7.00, downloaded 4 October 2026), processed by Peernovo; MHLW, Basic Survey on Wage Structure 2025; Statistics Bureau of Japan, 2020 Population Census; MEXT, School Basic Survey 2025; MHLW, Employment Referrals for General Workers (Hello Work statistics). Figures processed by Peernovo. English job names, translations and the matching of jobs to statistical groups, schools and degree fields by Peernovo.

Updated 4 October 2026