Enactment of Revised Medical Care Law: Will Legal Revision Lead to Correction of Regional Imbalance of Doctors? |
Editorial
16:28 JST, December 17, 2025
Medical institutions and doctors are concentrated in urban areas, and more than a few regional areas are struggling with a shortage of doctors.
In addition, some hospitals have a surplus of inpatient beds due to declining populations in their areas. Meanwhile, the growing number of elderly people who are unable to visit medical institutions is increasing demand for home-based medical care.
As the population ages, the challenges facing medical workplaces continue to grow more complex. It is necessary to closely monitor whether this legal revision will effectively improve these various issues.
The revised Medical Care Law, which incorporated measures to correct the regional imbalance in the number of doctors, has been enacted. They will be implemented in stages starting in spring 2026.
The pillar of the measures to correct........