IMS Group Brings Specialist Care Local

By Daniel de Bomford

Battling illness is a daunting task. Those who live in smaller communities frequently face the burden of travel and accommodation, while also fighting for their health. These are physical, emotional and financial challenges, all while separated from the support and love of their community. For many, even routine checkups or follow-up treatments require long journeys, missed work and added expense, making access to timely, specialized care a privilege rather than a guarantee in rural regions.

This is where Itabashi Medical System (IMS) Group shines. The group is a provider and operator of a variety of healthcare centers, based in local communities, from the Kanto area to the Northeast area and Hokkaido. Chairman Dr. Tetsuya Nakamura says the core of its philosophy is a deeply community-integrated care system. “This means that patients can live comfortably within communities they know and trust while receiving comprehensive treatment close to home,” he states.

The organization offers a full spectrum of care, from acute care treatments to long-term care and in-home services. Currently, about 30 percent of Japan’s population is over 65, and that percentage is expected to continue to increase. “This demographic shift is accelerating and significantly impacts how healthcare services must be structured and delivered,” Nakamura states.

The group operates health screening centers, acute hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities and home-based services. The screening service, in particular, has seen substantial growth. Nakamura describes the service as “promoting wellness before illness,” and it contributes to preventative medicine.

 Photon-counting CT owned by IMS group

Nakamura says Japan’s healthcare system has historically required patients to travel long distances for specialist, often lifesaving care. IMS Group aims to shift the paradigm of care and ease the burden of patients by “establishing a continuum of care” in local communities. This strikes at the heart of the group’s philosophy, which it calls “love to be loved.”

“In essence, this means that we start by loving ourselves—our patients, our staff and the communities we serve—and in doing so, we foster reciprocal respect and care,” Nakamura explains. In turn, this creates a cycle of mutual affection and commitment. To achieve this, the group seeks to foster three values among its staff: collaboration, cooperation and healthy competition. Nakamura describes modern healthcare as a team effort, emphasizing collaboration and cooperation across disciplines.

In response to Japan’s shrinking population, IMS Group has set its eyes outward. It is leveraging Japan’s advanced health sector to maintain scale and quality of its services through medical tourism. Nakamura says the group recognizes that relying solely on inbound patients isn’t sustainable. “We are building bidirectional partnerships: dispatching doctors and nurses abroad for surgeries and training, while also inviting foreign healthcare professionals to Japan for observation and practical education,” he says.

The group has already established offices in Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam and has fostered exchanges and collaborative medical education with countries such as Malaysia and Mongolia. The group welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who is also a doctor, to observe its robotic surgery facilities and participate in a dialogue on medical cooperation as part of the “Look East” policy.

Through IMS Group’s vision, the future grows brighter for patients who need specialist care. As it embraces digital transformation and preventive medicine, the organization strengthens its mission of combining local compassion with global expertise. Dr. Nakamura affirms IMS Group’s role in advancing Japan’s healthcare leadership, not only by supporting communities across the nation but also by extending knowledge, technology and care internationally. With seven decades of dedication behind it, the group looks ahead with the same enduring passion to heal, connect and innovate for generations to come.

To hear more from President Tetsuya Nakamura of IMS Group, check out this interview with him.