Home > Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
1. Application Process
Q1-1. I'm a student. Can I apply?
Q1-2. Is hands-on training an option?
Q1-3. Can I fill out the application form by hand?
Q1-4. Can a digital signature be used for a letter of recommendation?
Q1-5. EIA-IgG testing for antibody titer is not available in my country. What should I do?
2. Preparation for Your Stay in Japan
Q2-1. Do I need to purchase travel insurance?
Q2-2. I only speak English, not Japanese. Is that okay?
Q2-3. Can I bring my dependents to Japan?
Q2-4. Can I send my packages to your center before my visit and receive them upon arrival?
Q2-5. May I ask you to be my guarantor for the rental property?
Q2-6. How should I find suitable accommodations?
3. During Observership visit
Q3-1. Is there an attire code?
Q3-2. Is there a smoking area on the premises?
Q3-3. Is there meal support available?
4. Others
1. Application Process
Q1-1. I'm a student. Can I apply?
A1-1. Observership visits at NCC are best suited to experienced specialists, not to students. Even without evaluations, we are not prepared to accept students.
Q1-2. Is hands-on training an option?
A1-2. Hands-in-pocket observation/shadowing only, no Hands-on training. Unless licensed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, physical contact/consolation with patients is disallowed.
Q1-3. Can I fill out the application form by hand?
A1-3. No. Please type the form. All document submissions must be converted into PDF and uploaded to the designated URL upon invitation.
Q1-4. Can a digital signature be used for a letter of recommendation?
A1-4. A wet signature is preferred, but digitally signing or inserting a signed image is accepted.
Q1-5. EIA-IgG testing for antibody titer is not available in my country. What should I do?
A1-5. Please have a certificate issued that states that you are proven positive with antibodies for the specific disease. Please indicate diseases in English.
2. Preparation for Your Stay in Japan
Q2-1. Do I need to purchase travel insurance?
A2-1. While travel insurance is not mandatory, we strongly recommend purchasing it to prepare for unexpected situations such as sudden illness, lost luggage, or travel delays.
Q2-2. I only speak English, not Japanese. Is that okay?
A2-2. Japanese proficiency is not a requirement for our observership visit. However, English proficiency (listening, reading, and writing skills) is an absolute requirement. We reserve the right to void invitations should the visitor fail to demonstrate ability. It may result in early termination of his/her participation, in which case any paid fees will not be refunded.
Q2-3. Can I bring my dependents to Japan?
A2-3. Bringing family members is acceptable, but we cannot issue documents for their visas. Only medical professionals who have completed the necessary procedures may enter the hospital. When bringing family members, please arrange their visas yourself.
Q2-4. Can I send my packages to your center before my visit and receive them upon arrival?
A2-4. We are unable to keep your luggage before or during your observerhip visit. If you wish to have your luggage delivered, please send it to your accommodation.
Q2-5. May I ask you to be my guarantor for the rental property?
A2-5. No one from our center can be a guarantor for visitors regarding any accommodations or other business matters.
Q2-6. How should I find suitable accommodations?
A2-6. We do not provide accommodations onsite or offsite. However, there are plenty of lodging accommodations in the surrounding area. For details, please refer to ‘Hotel lists’ and ‘Accommodation Search’ in the NCC Observership Guidebook on our website.
3. During Observership visit
Q3-1. Is there an attire code?
A3-1. Please bring your white/lab coat to wear in the hospital during your stay. If you are observing operations, please bring indoor shoes to wear in the operation rooms. Casual clothes are fine, but no jeans and no perfume (it makes chemotherapy patients feel sick), please.
Q3-2. Is there a smoking area on the premises?
A3-2. No. Smoking is not permitted on the premises throughout. Very few spots in the neighborhood allow smoking.
Q3-3. Is there meal support available?
A3-3. We do not provide free meals, but several options are available: Restaurant, staff cafeteria, food trucks(during lunchtime) and convenience store.
4. Others
Q4-1. Can I get a document from NCC certifying overtime work or evaluation during my observership visit?
A4-1. No. NCC observership is for voluntary training only and is not employment/hiring. Therefore, we cannot provide any overtime reports or performance evaluations.
However, a Certificate of Attendance will be issued upon completion of the observership.
For your reference, NCC's standard working hours are from 8:30 AM to 5:15 PM.
