By The Straits Times | Created at 2026-08-29 04:31:27 | Updated at 2026-08-29 05:45:59
1 hour ago
TOKYO – Doctors convicted of sex crimes in Japan are able to continue practising for years before the government revokes their licences or imposes other sanctions, with some practitioners reoffending while action is pending.
Doctors who receive a fine or heavier punishment, or commit misconduct related to medical practice, are subject to licence revocation, suspension from practice for up to three years, or a reprimand after the health minister decides based on recommendations from a panel of medical experts, which meets about three times a year.
An analysis of 48 cases from 10 recommendation rounds between July 2023 and July 2026 found that the time from a guilty verdict to a sanction ranged from about one year and two months to 12 years and nine months, averaging about four years.
Fourteen cases involved committing indecent acts with patients at workplaces or during medical care, with the period prior to the imposition of sanctions ranging from about one year and two months to four years and eight months, with an average of around three years and three months.
There are no legal restrictions on practising medicine prior to sanctions taking effect, with one doctor, who received a fine for sexual intercourse with a minor, convicted of child prostitution while he was working at a medical institution prior to his suspension.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare said the delays occur because it takes time to gather information on criminal penalties and to interview doctors.
Yu Tadokoro, co-head of the victims’ group Spring, called for the prompt imposition of sanctions once guilty verdicts are finalised.
“Abuse by doctors is hard to detect and it is important to check administrative sanction histories to prevent harm,” Tadokoro said. KYODO NEWS
