Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS)
Observership to Japan Program for 2027

Purpose of the Program:
The Japanese Society of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery (JSHBPS), with the aim of improving and advancing academic research and knowledge in hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, established the “Observership to Japan Program” in 2015. It provides five young doctors living in the Asia-Pacific regions with short-term study opportunities at Japanese facilities. The main roles of the Society are to match the requirements of international young doctors with suitable facilities and to provide a grant (3,000 USD**) to them.
** This grant will be given in cash in Japan, converted from USD to JPY at the exchange rate at that time.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Candidates must be members of either the Asian-Pacific Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (A-PHPBA) or the Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association (HPBA) of their home country. (Junior members of A-PHPBA or HPBA may also apply.)
• A recommendation letter from the president of the association/chapter to which the candidate belongs is required.
• Candidates must be under 40 years of age. ("age” at the time of application)
• It is desirable that candidates have submitted papers to the Journal of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Sciences (JHBPS) either as first authors or co-authors.
• It is preferable if a mentor from the candidate’s current institution has a connection with a mentor (e.g., professor) at the desired host facility in Japan.

Requirements for Selected Candidates:

• Selected candidates must agree with the purpose of this program. To improve and develop academic research in hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, they are expected to cultivate a research-oriented mindset at the host facility. Visiting or observing other facilities is not permitted.
• The program duration must be less than 90 days (between 30 and 90 days), within the validity period of a short-term visa.
• Selected candidates must submit an abstract to the annual JSHBPS meeting after receiving a letter of acceptance from the Society. The abstract submission deadline is normally the end of December; the meeting is held in June each year.
• Attendance at the annual JSHBPS meeting during the program is mandatory.
• The 3,000 USD** grant will be provided in Japan. In addition, selected candidates will receive free registration for the annual JSHBPS meeting and one night of accommodation near the venue. (JSHBPS and host facilities will not cover any other expenses beyond the grant.)
  **This grant will be given in cash in Japan, converted from USD to JPY at the exchange rate at that time.
• Selected candidates are responsible for any expenses related to personal health issues or damages caused to others or property during their stay. Therefore, it is essential to obtain medical, life, and personal liability insurance from either their home country or Japan. A copy of the insurance certificates must be submitted to the JSHBPS Secretariat within one week of starting the program.
• If any damage to housing facilities occurs during the stay, the selected candidate must pay for all repairs before returning home. Failure to do so may result in the suspension of future participation from the selected candidate’s country, and the recommending association/chapter president may be held accountable.
• After completing the program, selected candidates must submit a report titled “Observership to Japan: What I Experienced in Japan and What I Will Practice in My Country.” This report will be published in the JHBPS newsletter.
• Selected candidates will be placed at facilities where JSHBPS directors are affiliated. The list of facilities is provided below.
  ***If you wish to be placed at a facility not listed, please indicate this in your application email.

*** Depending on the facility, selected candidates may be required to pay a “training fee.” This fee can be covered using the grant.

To Apply for the Observership to Japan Program 2027
Please send the following items to the JSHBPS Secretariat (info@jshbps.jp) via email by Friday, May 8, 2026:

• The application form (You can download the designated form here.)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A recommendation letter signed by a mentor or supervisor from your department in your home country
• A recommendation letter signed by the president of either the A-PHPBA or HPBA of your home country
• A document verifying your age
• The title page of papers submitted to JHBPS (if applicable)

Please Note:
The JSHBPS Secretariat will notify successful candidates by letter by the end of September 2026. The host institution for each selected candidate will be announced by the end of November 2026.

Before the final decision, an online interview may be conducted with the director of the facility where the candidate wishes to pursue the program in Japan.