Rinku General Medical Center exterior, modern hospital building in Japan

Modern exterior of Rinku General Medical Center in Japan

Patient waiting area at Rinku General Medical Center with modern seating

Consultation room at Rinku General Medical Center with medical equipment and desk

Treatment room at Rinku General Medical Center with medical equipment and patient chairs

Show all photos

Japan, Osaka

Сhronic Kidney Disease Treatment in Rinku General Medical Center

1 accreditation

hospital certificates of quality

About the clinic

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) care at Rinku General Medical Center includes diagnosis, medical management, dialysis, and blood purification. The center is in Izumisano, Osaka, Japan. Its nephrology department is the only one in the Senshu region that performs kidney biopsies.

CKD diagnosis and specialist care

A nephrology team of 7 physicians is led by Dr. Takashi Shigematsu, an honorary professor and certified nephrologist. Dr. Shigematsu is also a certified specialist and instructor in dialysis therapy.

Urine tests: Check for protein and blood, which can help detect CKD early.
Blood tests: Assess kidney function.
Ultrasound: Checks vascular access used for dialysis.
Percutaneous renal biopsy: A needle takes a small kidney tissue sample for testing. The procedure includes a 3–4 day hospital stay; the department performed 50+ biopsies in FY2025.

The center holds accreditation from the Japan Council for Quality Health Care and JMIP. It is also part of the DPC Special Hospital Group, at a university-hospital-equivalent level.

CKD treatment and dialysis options

Conservative CKD management: Includes blood pressure control with kidney-protective drugs, salt and protein restriction, and weight management. This care aims to delay kidney failure; early-stage cases may be cured.
Hemodialysis: Takes place in the Blood Purification Center or ICU. The center has 10 dialysis beds and performs 2,600+ hemodialysis sessions annually. Stabilized patients can transfer to nearby facilities for ongoing dialysis.
Peritoneal dialysis: After treatment starts, patients receive follow-up through the clinic’s peritoneal dialysis outpatient service.
Vascular access surgery: Nephrologists create or rebuild internal arteriovenous fistulas, place grafts, and insert catheters. The clinic performed 75+ new or reconstructed accesses in FY2025.
Shunt angioplasty and thrombectomy: Nephrologists use ultrasound guidance, balloon catheters, and clot removal to restore access function. The clinic performed 300+ procedures in FY2025.
Plasma exchange and apheresis: Options include simple plasma exchange, double membrane filtration, and LDL apheresis.
Continuous blood purification: ICU doctors and nephrologists provide this care for acute kidney injury and severe CKD complications. Endotoxin adsorption is also available.

Patients can request a CKD consultation through Bookimed to discuss suitable diagnostic and treatment options.

Highlights

23 doctors

3511 Operations per year

Get a free consultation

The clinic is not accepting new requests

Submit your request to get the best option in Japan

Average answering time – 5 minutes

Clinic Doctors

Nephrologist

Nephrologist

Nephrologist

How are we doing?

1 of 3

Information about this clinic is full and clear

Strongly disagree

Strongly agree

hospital accreditation of quality

Fellow, American College of Surgeons

US, Fellow, American College of Surgeons certificate for Rinku General Medical Center

Rinku General Medical Center: more details about the clinic

Japan, Osaka

Rinku General Medical Center is a multi-specialty hospital in Izumisano, Osaka, Japan. It runs 16 specialized departments and a dedicated Surgery Center. Care ranges from emergency medicine to advanced specialty surgery. The hospital has an 18-bed pediatric unit with NICU and GCU beds. In 2025, the Surgery Center performed over 3,500 operations.

Accreditations and Achievements

The hospital holds accreditation from the Japan Council for Quality Health Care (JCQHC). It also belongs to Japan's Society-Certified Facilities framework. The center maintains JMIP certification for foreign patient acceptance standards.

In 2025, the anesthesia department received international recognition from Wiley for a highly-viewed case report. Surgical staff have also won excellence awards at major regional medical conferences.

Cardiovascular Care and Heart Surgery

The Heart and Vascular Center provides 24-hour acute care for myocardial infarction and heart failure. Specialists focus on minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) to shorten recovery time. Surgeons perform complete 3D endoscopic MICS for heart valve disease through small right-side incisions. This program started in 2021 and completed 50 cases in its first two years. Open-heart surgery volume exceeded 110 cases in 2025.

Heart surgery options include:

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
Completely 3D endoscopic heart valve replacement
Robot-assisted MICS using the Da Vinci Xi system
Catheter ablation for arrhythmias
Stent graft surgery for aortic diseases

The cardiovascular surgery team works with Osaka University's aortic team on complex cases. Post-treatment support includes cardiac rehabilitation and medication management. Dr. Hiroshi Fukuda leads the center. He specializes in off-pump coronary artery bypass and mitral valve repair.

Hematology and Neurology

The Hematology department treats blood malignancies and rare coagulation disorders. In 2025, the team managed about 130 cases of acute leukemia. Treatments include CAR-T therapy and bispecific antibodies for malignant lymphomas. The center also performs non-related donor bone marrow and cord blood transplants. Physicians use chemotherapy and cellular immunotherapy for multiple myeloma and myelodysplastic syndromes.

The Neurology department focuses on neurodegenerative diseases and movement disorders. Specialists manage Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The clinic offers botulinum therapy for post-stroke spasticity and involuntary movements.

Diagnostics include:

SPECT for brain blood flow
Nerve conduction velocity testing
Needle EMG

Dr. Yusaku Nakamura leads these services. He trained at the London University Institute of Neurology.

Diagnostic Technologies and Support Services

The clinic uses the Da Vinci Xi robotic platform for complex surgical procedures. Clinical trials run through the Advanced Medical Development Center. This office conducts monthly reviews and uses the security-controlled DD Works system for data.

The Blood Purification Center managed over 2,600 hemodialysis sessions in FY2025. Specialists also use endoscopic ultrasound to diagnose digestive malignancies and bile duct stones.

The Health Management Center provides several screening services:

Brain MRI screening (Brain Dock)
Breast cancer screening with mammography reading
AIRS lifestyle disease risk screening
Aviation physical exams for individuals and corporations
Stress and 24-hour Holter ECG monitoring

Rehabilitation services are available daily, including weekends and holidays. The team supports patients in the ICU and those recovering from major orthopedic surgery.

International Patient Services

International patients receive support through the International Center and a dedicated International Medical Public Relations Center. Free medical interpretation is available in several languages. Staff handle communication and documentation throughout treatment. The center also issues medical certificates and referral letters in English.

Interpretation services are scheduled as follows:

English and Chinese: Monday to Friday, 10:00–15:00
Spanish and Portuguese: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00–15:00
Vietnamese: Available for returning patients

The hospital offers free public Wi-Fi for all patients and visitors. Support coordinators help with admission arrangements and discharge planning to nearby facilities.

Additional services

Language assistance

Available

free

Accommodation

Hotel (apartments) near the clinic, billed daily

Patient reviews

Google 3.2

10 Google reviews

マッカ

Aug 11, 2026

The department head of Nephrology, Dr. Takashi Shigematsu, listens to me very well and picks up important information. He once told me, “We don’t just look at the disease—we look at the person,” and he examines you with full effort and kindness. I probably shouldn’t say too much, because if word gets out, the outpatient clinic will get crowded and I wouldn’t really want to share it (lol). He’s completely different from doctors who make rounds through patients in a rushed, assembly-line way. I went into the appointment with a great deal of anxiety, but my feelings suddenly eased, and I thought, “I want to follow this doctor.” I’m truly grateful to have met Dr. Shigematsu.

きらこ

Jul 27, 2026

I received care in the Hematology Department. I was referred from another hospital based on my test results and came in for a checkup even though I had no noticeable symptoms, but the doctor explained everything very clearly in a friendly manner. The staff at the front desk and the nurses were also very kind, and I felt reassured throughout my visit. It makes me truly proud that there is such a caring, large hospital in my local area, and it means I can live with peace of mind again.

きゃさ

Jul 13, 2026

I was hospitalized for 5 months due to an accident. Thanks to the doctors of God’s hands, I was able to avoid amputation and now I can walk. All the nurses and care workers were very kind as well. I’m so glad it was at Rinku General Medical Center!!

紅蠍子

May 26, 2026

Today is my second trip to Japan after eight years. Just as the plane began preparing to land, I suddenly felt the world spin—whether my eyes were closed or not, I was dizzy. After the flight arrived, I couldn’t stand up or walk. I’m grateful to the EVA Air crew and the ground staff at Kansai Airport for helping push me to the airport clinic for treatment; then I was transferred to Rinku Hospital! At Rinku Hospital, I’m grateful to Mr. Nishida for his careful consultation and treatment. By 5 p.m. that evening, there was a clear improvement! I also hope that the rest of my trip will go smoothly and with good health. Finally, thank you to the doctors and nurses at your hospital for your assistance and care. Thank you!

Achan

Mar 11, 2026

I received care at this pediatric clinic when I was a child. Back then, both the doctor and the nurses were truly kind, and I still remember how carefully they listened to me, even though I was just a child. Because my worries were always accepted, I was able to go there with a lot of peace of mind. Thank you so much.

imotako nankin

Mar 1, 2026

After a long operation, I used it during a four-day stay after nine days of hospitalization. This was my first major surgery and my first time being hospitalized. Inside, I was full of anxiety. Even though I had to wait quite a while before getting to the surgery, I’m very grateful to all the staff despite the shortage of personnel. I was even moved by how responsibly you all work and how diligently and proudly you carry out your duties. Thank you very much for taking care of me!

佐々木正人

Dec 9, 2025

During the COVID period, three years ago, my daughter caught COVID one week before giving birth, but you agreed to take her on, and our grandchild was born safely. Thank you.

田村徹

Nov 12, 2025

At Rinku General Medical Center, there are multiple doctors who served as models for characters in the manga “Kounodori.” ● Model for Sakurа Kounotori Dr. Kazuhide Ogita (Head of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department at Rinku General Medical Center) is one of the people who served as the model for the protagonist, Sakura Kounotori. Dr. Ogita has experience handling more than 1,000 high-risk births over the past 25 years, and when the manga and drama were being produced, he cooperated with interviews for the author, “Yu Suzuki-no-ki,” as well as the production staff. Other characters ● Model for Takayuki Imabashi The person who became the model for “Takayuki Imabashi,” a neonatal department doctor, is Dr. Yosuke Imanishi, a neonatologist. Dr. Imanishi worked at Rinku General Medical Center (at the time, he was seconded to Osaka Maternal and Child Medical Center) as a neonatologist and has also been involved in providing medical guidance. In addition, Dr. Masayuki Seki, from the Department of General Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases at Rinku General Medical Center, also cooperated with interviews for the manga, and in the “Kounodori” serialized novel’s new chapter on COVID-19, he appears as a model alongside the others. In this way, there are multiple model doctors at the General Medical Center who are deeply involved with the work.

和田陽子

Sep 12, 2025

I was taken care of here for my childbirth three years ago. Even though there is some waiting time for prenatal checkups, considering that this is a full-fledged perinatal center where many pregnant women come to feel reassured, I think that’s natural. All the obstetrics staff handled each of us with a strong sense of responsibility and sincerity, and I felt that there is no hospital where I could give birth with more peace of mind than here. I had already decided that I would give birth here again next time. 【Update】 Later, I gave birth to twins via a scheduled C-section. The surgery went very smoothly, and I felt reassured. I could really tell that it was supported by the well-coordinated teamwork among the staff. After the operation, there was bleeding that would not stop from my uterus, and for a while I was in a dangerous state. However, the midwife noticed the abnormality right away and came to assist, and thanks to the doctor’s prompt and accurate response, it did not turn into anything serious. — This hospital not only has excellent facilities, but the high level of expertise among the staff—including doctors and midwives—and their warm approach contribute greatly to my sense of security. Through two births, I sincerely thank this professional system.

李采庭

Aug 25, 2025

While traveling in Japan, I accidentally injured myself, and before returning home I went to your hospital again for another check-up. The service was very friendly. And there was a Chinese-English interpreting staff member as well, which was very thoughtful.