Japan arrests doctor over Cambodia transplant referrals
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Japanese police have arrested and indicted a 73-year-old doctor in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, over allegations that he assisted a paid broker arranging kidney transplants in Cambodia for Japanese patients. Prosecutors allege the doctor knew broker Hitosato Kikuchi, 66, was introducing patients for money, yet still carried out compatibility-related checks and prepared medical documents for two male patients in their 60s. The doctor allegedly received a total of 3 million yen in cash from Kikuchi and also charged each patient 250,000 yen for examinations. He has admitted the allegations in questioning, while saying he had also been deceived or was himself a victim.
Key Points
- The Metropolitan Police Department announced on September 4 that it had indicted a 73-year-old Osaka doctor for allegedly aiding violations of Japan's Organ Transplant Law
- Investigators said the doctor served as director of a medical institution in Toyonaka and conducted kidney ultrasound and blood tests between February and December 2025
- Prosecutors allege he issued diagnostic papers and referral letters to a hospital in Cambodia for two male patients in their 60s.
- Police said broker Hitosato Kikuchi, the 66-year-old operator behind the International Medical Consultation Office, received money for arranging Cambodia transplants.
- Kikuchi was formally indicted on August 18 for paid organ-transplant brokerage, after investigators linked him to at least two Cambodia kidney-transplant cases
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the case shows how cross-border medical arrangements can move through private intermediaries and ordinary clinical paperwork rather than overt trafficking networks. It also underlines the legal and ethical risks for doctors and patients when overseas transplant referrals involve payment, especially where enforcement must reach beyond one jurisdiction