From November 22 to 24, 2024, Huang Wenxiu, Secretary of the Party Committee of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (ZCMU), Dong Minhua, Dean of the International Education College, and Chen Shan, Deputy Director of the Acupuncture Department of Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, visited the Jikei Group and its affiliated institutions. The visit aimed to deepen the partnership, renew the cooperation agreement, and explore further exchanges and cooperation in medical education.

Signing a New Cooperation Agreement to Write a New Chapter for the Future

First, Huang Wenxiu met with the Former Principal of Toyo Medical College, Muneo Ota, and the Director, Furuya Keiji, for a friendly exchange. During the meeting, the heads of the four major departments at Toyo Medical College—Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Dental Technology, Emergency Life-Saving, and Judo Therapy—provided detailed introductions on their curriculum, talent cultivation models, national examination pass rates, and employment situations. Both sides focused on discussing the optimization plan for the “3+2” joint training program in Acupuncture and Tuina, as well as the short-term student exchange plans, clarifying the direction for deepening future cooperation. Following the discussions, Huang Wenxiu and Keiji Furuya signed a new round of cooperation agreements on behalf of their respective sides. This renewal deepens the partnership established in 2002 and lays a solid foundation for future joint training programs and academic exchanges.

The second from the left is the current Director, Keiji Furuya, and the fourth from the left is the Formal Principal, Muneo Ota.

The two sides signed the agreement.

Issuing Admission Letters and Looking Forward to New Developments

Following the signing ceremony, the delegation visited the teaching and practical facilities at Toyo Medical College, gaining a deep understanding of its educational environment and faculty quality. Huang Wenxiu personally awarded admission letters from ZCMU to the first-year acupuncture students participating in the 2024 “3+2” joint training program and presented them with souvenirs to congratulate them. Since the cooperation began in 2002, the “3+2” joint training program has attracted more than 30 students majoring in Acupuncture and Tuina to study at ZCMU, where they have obtained undergraduate degrees and Bachelor degrees in Medicine. Additionally, over 550 Japanese students and more than 70 Chinese students have participated in short-term exchanges at each other’s institutions, accumulating valuable experience for the long-term collaboration between the two sides.

Holding a Special Briefing to Explore New Opportunities

Dong Minhua, Dean of the International Education College, conducted a brief session at Toyo Medical College on the theme of “Studying at ZCMU”. Dong provided a detailed introduction to ZCMU and the International Education College, explaining the implementation details of the “3+2” joint training program. He extended a warm invitation for more Japanese students to study at ZCMU.

Chen Shan, Deputy Director of the Acupuncture Department of Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, delivered a special lecture titled “Acupuncture Treatment for Infertility” to practitioners and students in the Japanese TCM community. Before the special lecture, Keiji Furuya and Huang Wenxiu delivered speeches, positively evaluating the cooperation and exchange over the past 40 years and looking forward to deeper and more comprehensive development in future collaborations.

During the visit, representatives from ZCMU toured the Seitoso nursing home owned by the Jikei Group. The meticulous management and human-centered services left a deep impression on the delegation. Members of the delegation believe the elderly care system, models, and philosophies in Japan are all worth studying and researching.

ZCMU has maintained a partnership with the Jikei Group for over 40 years, covering various fields, including education, academics, and cultural exchanges. This visit not only strengthened the solid foundation of cooperation between the two sides but also paved new ways to deepen collaboration in the future.