# 医師法 / Medical Practitioners' Act — 第五章 (Chapter 5)

- Law: 医師法 (Medical Practitioners' Act), 昭和二十三年法律第二百一号
- English title "Medical Practitioners' Act": Ministry of Justice translation
- Kind: Act — the distinction between 法律 (Act), 政令 (Cabinet Order), 省令 (Ministerial Order) and 条例 (local ordinance) decides who may issue it and what it may say.
- Provision: 第五章 (Chapter 5) — address `ch-5`
- Text in force since: 2026-05-21
- URL (the page that opens at this provision): https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/ch-5
- Permanent URL (e-Gov law ID, never renamed): https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/ch-5
- Every provision below carries its address and both URLs on the line under it.
- Japanese text: e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁). English: as marked on each line below.

Only the Japanese as published by the government has legal effect; the text
below is a copy of it. Every English rendering below is a translation and
says which kind: the Ministry of Justice's translation, or this
site's machine translation, whose model and date the Sources list names.
They are never merged and never substituted for one another.

---

## 第五章　業務 — Chapter V Operations
<sup>heading: machine translation, not official</sup>
<sup>ch-5 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/ch-5 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/ch-5</sup>

### 第十七条
<sup>art-17 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17</sup>

**第一項**  医師でなければ、医業をなしてはならない。
<sup>art-17/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17/par-1</sup>
No person except a medical practitioner may engage in medical practice.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第十七条の二
<sup>art-17-2 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17-2</sup>

**第一項**  大学において医学を専攻する学生であつて、共用試験に合格したものは、前条の規定にかかわらず、当該大学が行う臨床実習において、医師の指導監督の下に、医師として具有すべき知識及び技能の修得のために医業（政令で定めるものを除く。次条において同じ。）をすることができる。
<sup>art-17-2/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17-2/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17-2/par-1</sup>
Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding Article, a student majoring in medicine at a university who has passed the common examination may, in clinical practicum conducted by the university, under the guidance and supervision of a medical practitioner, engage in medical practice (excluding that specified by Cabinet Order; the same applies in the following Article) in order to acquire the knowledge and skills that a medical practitioner should possess.
<sup>machine translation, not official</sup>

### 第十七条の三
<sup>art-17-3 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17-3</sup>

**第一項**  前条の規定により医業をする者は、正当な理由がある場合を除き、その業務上知り得た人の秘密を他に漏らしてはならない。同条の規定により医業をする者でなくなつた後においても、同様とする。
<sup>art-17-3/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17-3/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17-3/par-1</sup>
A person who engages in medical practice pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article must not divulge to others a secret of a person that the person has learned in the course of those duties, except where there is a justifiable reason. The same applies after the person has ceased to be a person who engages in medical practice pursuant to the provisions of that Article.
<sup>machine translation, not official</sup>

### 第十八条
<sup>art-18 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-18 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-18</sup>

**第一項**  医師でなければ、医師又はこれに紛らわしい名称を用いてはならない。
<sup>art-18/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-18/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-18/par-1</sup>
No person except a medical practitioner may use the title of medical practitioner or a title that may be confused with this.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第十九条
<sup>art-19 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-19 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-19</sup>

**第一項**  診療に従事する医師は、診察治療の求があつた場合には、正当な事由がなければ、これを拒んではならない。
<sup>art-19/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-19/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-19/par-1</sup>
No medical practitioner who engages in medical practice may refuse any request for medical examination or treatment without legitimate grounds.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第二項**  診察若しくは検案をし、又は出産に立ち会つた医師は、診断書若しくは検案書又は出生証明書若しくは死産証書の交付の求があつた場合には、正当の事由がなければ、これを拒んではならない。
<sup>art-19/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-19/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-19/par-2</sup>
No medical practitioner who has performed an examination or fact examination, or who was in attendance at a birth may refuse a request for a medical certificate, certificate of post mortem examination, birth certificate, or certificate of stillbirth without legitimate grounds.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第二十条
<sup>art-20 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-20 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-20</sup>

**第一項**  医師は、自ら診察しないで治療をし、若しくは診断書若しくは処方せんを交付し、自ら出産に立ち会わないで出生証明書若しくは死産証書を交付し、又は自ら検案をしないで検案書を交付してはならない。但し、診療中の患者が受診後二十四時間以内に死亡した場合に交付する死亡診断書については、この限りでない。
<sup>art-20/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-20/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-20/par-1</sup>
No medical practitioner may provide medical treatment or issue a medical certificate or prescription without personally performing a medical examination, nor issue a birth certificate or certificate of stillbirth without personally being in attendance at the birth, nor issue a certificate of post mortem examination without personally performing the fact examination; provided, however, that this does not apply to a death certificate that has been issued where a patient undergoing medical care has died within 24 hours of the medical examination.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第二十一条
<sup>art-21 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-21 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-21</sup>

**第一項**  医師は、死体又は妊娠四月以上の死産児を検案して異状があると認めたときは、二十四時間以内に所轄警察署に届け出なければならない。
<sup>art-21/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-21/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-21/par-1</sup>
When a medical practitioner finds any abnormality during the fact examination of a corpse or stillborn baby from a pregnancy that had entered its fourth month or beyond, the medical practitioner must notify the competent police station within 24 hours.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第二十二条
<sup>art-22 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22</sup>

**第一項**  医師は、患者に対し治療上薬剤を調剤して投与する必要があると認めた場合には、患者又は現にその看護に当たつている者に対して処方箋を交付しなければならない。ただし、患者又は現にその看護に当たつている者が処方箋の交付を必要としない旨を申し出た場合及び次の各号のいずれかに該当する場合においては、この限りでない。
<sup>art-22/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1</sup>
If a medical practitioner finds it necessary to dispense and administer medicine as a part of a patient's treatment, the medical practitioner must issue a prescription to the patient or a person caring for the patient; provided, however, that this does not apply when the patient or a person caring for the patient states that it is not necessary to issue a prescription, or in any of the following cases:
<sup>machine translation, not official</sup>

  **一**  暗示的効果を期待する場合において、処方箋を交付することがその目的の達成を妨げるおそれがある場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-1</sup>
  when a suggestive effect is expected and issuing a prescription is likely to hinder this from being achieved;
  <sup>machine translation, not official</sup>

  **二**  処方箋を交付することが診療又は疾病の予後について患者に不安を与え、その疾病の治療を困難にするおそれがある場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-2</sup>
  when issuing a prescription is likely to cause anxiety to the patient about their medical care or prognosis, and may complicate the treatment of the illness;
  <sup>machine translation, not official</sup>

  **三**  病状の短時間ごとの変化に即応して薬剤を投与する場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-3</sup>
  when medicines are administered in response to changes in symptoms over short periods of time;
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **四**  診断又は治療方法の決定していない場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-4 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-4 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-4</sup>
  when the diagnosis or method of treatment has not been decided;
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **五**  治療上必要な応急の措置として薬剤を投与する場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-5 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-5 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-5</sup>
  when medicine is administered as an emergency measure necessary for treatment;
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **六**  安静を要する患者以外に薬剤の交付を受けることができる者がいない場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-6 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-6 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-6</sup>
  when there is no person other than the patient who requires rest, to whom the medicines can be delivered;
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

  **七**  覚醒剤を投与する場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-7 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-7 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-7</sup>
  when stimulants are to be administered; or
  <sup>machine translation, not official</sup>

  **八**  薬剤師が乗り組んでいない船舶内において薬剤を投与する場合
  <sup>art-22/par-1/item-8 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1/item-8 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1/item-8</sup>
  when medicine is administered aboard a vessel with no pharmacist on board.
  <sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第二項**  医師は、地域における医療及び介護の総合的な確保の促進に関する法律（平成元年法律第六十四号）第十二条の二第一項の規定により処方箋を提供した場合は、前項の患者又は現にその看護に当たつている者に対して処方箋を交付したものとみなす。
<sup>art-22/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-2</sup>
When a medical practitioner has provided a prescription pursuant to the provisions of Article 12-2, paragraph (1) of the Act on Promotion of Comprehensive Securing of Medical and Long-Term Care in Communities (Act No. 64 of 1989), the medical practitioner is deemed to have issued a prescription to the patient or the person caring for the patient set forth in the preceding paragraph.
<sup>machine translation, not official</sup>

### 第二十三条
<sup>art-23 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-23 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-23</sup>

**第一項**  医師は、診療をしたときは、本人又はその保護者に対し、療養の方法その他保健の向上に必要な事項の指導をしなければならない。
<sup>art-23/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-23/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-23/par-1</sup>
When a medical practitioner has provided medical care, the medical practitioner must give guidance to the person in question or to their custodian on the method of treatment and other matters necessary to improve their health.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第二十四条
<sup>art-24 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24</sup>

**第一項**  医師は、診療をしたときは、遅滞なく診療に関する事項を診療録に記載しなければならない。
<sup>art-24/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24/par-1</sup>
When a medical practitioner has provided medical care, the medical practitioner must enter the matters related to that medical care in a medical record without delay.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第二項**  前項の診療録であつて、病院又は診療所に勤務する医師のした診療に関するものは、その病院又は診療所の管理者において、その他の診療に関するものは、その医師において、五年間これを保存しなければならない。
<sup>art-24/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24/par-2</sup>
Medical records as set forth in the preceding paragraph must be kept for a period of five years by the administrator of the hospital or clinic where medical care was provided by a medical practitioner works at that hospital or clinic, and by the medical practitioner themselves for medical records related to other medical care.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

### 第二十四条の二
<sup>art-24-2 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24-2</sup>

**第一項**  厚生労働大臣は、公衆衛生上重大な危害を生ずる虞がある場合において、その危害を防止するため特に必要があると認めるときは、医師に対して、医療又は保健指導に関し必要な指示をすることができる。
<sup>art-24-2/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24-2/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24-2/par-1</sup>
Where there is a risk of causing serious harm to public health, and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare finds it especially necessary to do so in order to prevent the harm, the Minister may give necessary instructions to medical practitioners regarding medical treatment or health guidance.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

**第二項**  厚生労働大臣は、前項の規定による指示をするに当つては、あらかじめ、医道審議会の意見を聴かなければならない。
<sup>art-24-2/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24-2/par-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24-2/par-2</sup>
The Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare must hear the opinions of the Medical Ethics Council in advance before giving instructions pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
<sup>Ministry of Justice translation — Japanese Law Translation Database System</sup>

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## Cites
- art-17-2/par-1: 前条 → 医師法 第十七条 (Article 17), art-17 — https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17
- art-17-2/par-1: 次条 → 医師法 第十七条の三 (Article 17-3), art-17-3 — https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17-3 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17-3
- art-17-3/par-1: 前条 → 医師法 第十七条の二 (Article 17-2), art-17-2 — https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-17-2 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-17-2
- art-22/par-2: 地域における医療及び介護の総合的な確保の促進に関する法律（平成元年法律第六十四号）第十二条の二第一項 → e-Gov law 401AC0000000064, 第十二条の二第一項 (Article 12-2, paragraph (1)), art-12-2/par-1 — not held in this collection
- art-22/par-2: 前項 → 医師法 第二十二条第一項 (Article 22, paragraph (1)), art-22/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-22/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-22/par-1
- art-24/par-2: 前項 → 医師法 第二十四条第一項 (Article 24, paragraph (1)), art-24/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24/par-1
- art-24-2/par-2: 前項 → 医師法 第二十四条の二第一項 (Article 24-2, paragraph (1)), art-24-2/par-1 — https://japanlaw.org/ja/medical-practitioners-act/art-24-2/par-1 · https://japanlaw.org/l/323AC0000000201/art-24-2/par-1

---

## Sources

- e-Gov 法令検索, Digital Agency (デジタル庁) — 医師法 — the text in force from 2026-05-21 (https://laws.e-gov.go.jp/law/323AC0000000201/20260521_505AC0000000063), retrieved 2026-10-09
- Japanese Law Translation Database System, Ministry of Justice (法務省) — Medical Practitioners' Act — Ministry of Justice translation (https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/3992/tb), retrieved 2026-10-09
- claude-sonnet-5-5 — Machine translation, batch medical-practitioners-act-20261009T095312-003, translated 2026-10-09
- This site's parser, version 165 — 医師法 — structure, counts, cross-references and defined terms, computed 2026-10-09