Misperceptions of medical education in Japan: how reform is changing the landscape.

A number of Western physicians have highlighted shortcomings in Japanese medical education over the years. In recent years, however, there has been dramatic change in the system of medical education in Japan that renders some of these observations inaccurate and others worthy of several caveats. Using a recent review article in the Keio Journal of Medicine as a starting point for discussion, the author responds to a number of historical concerns about medical education in Japan and includes updated information on recent reforms.