Comprehensive · Source does not publish application deadline, entry requirements
DECISION SUMMARY
Key facts at a glance
Eligibility
Unclear — confirm with host
Funding
Travel support up to JPY 300,000 under the university's policy
Deadline
2026 cycle closed on 31 March 2026; next deadline not yet published
Duration
2 weeks
Hands-on
No hands-on role indicated
Clinical exposureObservation of varied spine operations at Tohoku University Hospital and affiliated hospitals, with the itinerary agreed between the selected fellow and host centres
Participation levelObservational pathway. No independent patient care or operative privileges are implied.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT CHECK
Can an international surgeon apply?
≈Partially published
International applicants
Orthopaedic surgeons from all fields can apply; the page does not state nationality, licensing or visa requirements.
?Confirm directly with host
Clinical role
Observational pathway; no independent patient care is implied. Hands-on clinical activity is not described for this observational pathway.
—Not published
Medical registration
Registration and licensing requirements are not published by the cited source.
—Not published
Language
No formal language requirement is published by the cited source.
—Not published
Visa or work authorisation
Visa sponsorship and work-authorisation information are not published.
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY76% of core application fields verifiedChecked 2026-10-08 · Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-04-01
✓ programme title✓ institution / department✓ city and country✓ programme classification✓ subspecialty✓ current status evidence✓ duration✓ positions✓ commencement / intake✓ funding✓ benefits✓ international eligibility✓ application process✓ required documents✓ application portal✓ official contact✓ faculty✓ verified faculty photograph✓ verified institution logo✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ verification date— accommodation / relocation · not published by the cited official source— eligibility · not published by the cited official source— Language requirement not published · not published by the cited official source— Registration information not published · not published by the cited official source— visa / work authorisation · not published by the cited official source— Current deadline not yet published · historical evidence only— accreditation / organisation source · not published by the cited official source
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadline2026 cycle closed on 31 March 2026; next deadline not yet published
Commencing dateA mutually agreed two-week period between September 2026 and March 2027 for the published cycle
Application route / cycleAnnual call posted on the department's English page (2026 call posted 22 Dec 2025, due 31 March 2026, for a 2-week visit between September 2026 and March 2027); apply by e-mail with the application form, CV and a recommendation letter.
Official contactToshimi Aizawa, MD, PhD (Professor and Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tohoku University School of Medicine)tohokuseikei@e-mail.jp
Completed Kokubun Spine Fellowship application form
Curriculum vitae
Recommendation letter
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
A funded two-week travelling spine fellowship for one orthopaedic surgeon per published cycle. The 2026 deadline has passed, so the listing is clearly marked for monitoring rather than shown as currently open.
Intended for: Orthopaedic surgeons; the programme specifically selects one Kokubun Spine Fellow per published cycle
BENEFITS & SUPPORT
Published benefits and support
Partial travel-expense support and a tailored two-week clinical visit across university and affiliated spine services.
HOST INSTITUTION
About Tohoku University Hospital and affiliated hospitals
Tohoku University describes a long academic spine tradition and a hospital network providing exposure to varied spine operations. The named programme honours Professor Shoichi Kokubun and has previously hosted international spine surgeons.
Hamamatsu University School of Medicine / Hamamatsu University Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan · 3 weeks per APSS call (each fellow is attached to one APSS Spine Centre); a 2024 APSS fellow report at Hamamatsu describes a longer 1 July–30 September 2024 placementView program profile →
Kanazawa University Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery / Spine and Spinal Cord Surgery
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan · Clinical training (臨床修練): up to 2 years under an MHLW permit, renewable by reapplication. Observership: length not published.View program profile →
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