University of Tokyo Hospital
The University of Tokyo Hospital is one of Japan’s most prestigious medical institutions, and its Department of Neurosurgery is renowned for both clinical excellence and cutting-edge research.
🧠 University of Tokyo Hospital – Department of Neurosurgery Overview: 1. Clinical Focus Areas: The department handles a wide range of neurosurgical conditions, including:
Brain tumors (gliomas, meningiomas, metastatic tumors)
Cerebrovascular diseases (aneurysms, AVMs, Moya-Moya disease)
Functional neurosurgery (epilepsy surgery, deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease)
Skull base surgery
Spine and spinal cord diseases
Pediatric neurosurgery
Trauma and emergency neurosurgery
2. Techniques and Technologies: Advanced neuronavigation systems
Intraoperative MRI and CT
Minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery
Intraoperative neuromonitoring
Fluorescence-guided surgery (5-ALA)
AI-assisted diagnostic tools (in research phase)
3. Academic and Research Contributions: The department has a strong academic output in high-impact journals.
Research topics include:
Neuro-oncology (e.g. tumor genomics, immunotherapy)
Neurovascular pathophysiology
Brain-machine interfaces and neuroengineering
Regenerative medicine (e.g. stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury)
It collaborates with global institutions and participates in international clinical trials.
4. Education and Training: Offers residency and fellowship programs that attract trainees from across Japan and abroad.
Many neurosurgeons trained here go on to leadership roles in other hospitals.
Training includes a strong emphasis on microsurgical skills, academic writing, and clinical decision-making.
5. Leadership: As of recent years, the department has been led by Prof. Nobuhito Saito, a globally respected figure in neuro-oncology and skull base surgery.