About Suginami International Clinic

All care for foreign nationals who do not have Japanese health insurance qualification is charged at a rate of 15 yen per 1 medical remuneration point.


Our clinic was reformed and changed the name from Koenji-minami clinic of holistic medicine（高円寺南診療所）  into Suginami International Clinic （杉並国際クリニック）on May 1, 2019 the first day of Reiwa era.


Koenji-minami clinic of holistic medicine（高円寺南診療所）
is a medical clinic based on the Global Integrative Medicine (GIM) founded by Joseph Masahiro Iijima, in 1989.
The clinic serves the English speaking community for 30 years and provides a general healthcare consultancy.


Specialties:

  • General Internal Medicine

Subspecialties:

  • Body-Mind Medicine (Psychosomatic Internal Medicine)
  • General Allergology (Bronchial Asthma, Eczema & Hay fever )
  • General Rheumatology (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Osteoporosis & Gout)

Global Integrative Medicine (GIM) utilizes a holistic “whole-person” diagnosis and treatment approach. GIM realizes that each person is a unique entity with his/her own genetic code and therefore the treatment is tailored to each patient.

 

 

New Year’s Greetings

Happy New Year!

Last year was particularly meaningful for me as I achieved a significant personal milestone. I successfully passed the final recital exam in the Vocal Music program at Musashino Academia Musicae and will be submitting my master’s thesis by the end of this month. Balancing my academic pursuits with my responsibilities at the clinic was both challenging and deeply rewarding. I am especially grateful to all my patients for their understanding and encouragement throughout this time.

 

In September 2005, I earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Holistic Nutrition from the American Holistic College of Nutrition in Birmingham, Alabama. This education deepened my understanding of holistic medicine, which remains a respected approach in the United States. During the three-year-long COVID-19 pandemic, the principles I learned in holistic nutrition were invaluable. They enabled me to protect not only myself but also my patients, staff, and family under the immense pressures of the pandemic. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of integrating holistic practices alongside conventional medicine to achieve better health outcomes.

 

My studies in vocal music have also provided me with valuable insights into breathing techniques that contribute not only to relaxation and mental balance but also to the alleviation of symptoms associated with asthma and other allergic conditions. These skills have enhanced my practice as an allergy specialist, allowing me to integrate innovative approaches to improve patients’ quality of life.

 

At Suginami International Clinic, we emphasize the importance of General Medicine as the foundation for our specialized care. By integrating General Medicine with our board-certified specialties—Psychosomatic Medicine, Kampo Medicine (Japanese Traditional Medicine), Allergy, and Rheumatology—we strive to address a wide range of health concerns comprehensively and holistically. This approach ensures that our patients receive both specialized and general care tailored to their individual needs.

 

In my areas of expertise—Allergy and Rheumatology—advancements in cutting-edge medical research, primarily driven by U.S.-based innovations, play a crucial role. However, in real-world clinical practice, incorporating knowledge and experience from natural and traditional therapies is equally vital. This holistic approach enables us to address the diverse needs of our patients effectively and compassionately.

 

As a rheumatology specialist, I emphasize the connection between internal medicine and musculoskeletal care to treat autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. By combining advanced treatments with personalized care, I strive to help patients regain mobility and lead fulfilling lives.

 

In February, we will be implementing a more efficient appointment scheduling system to make it easier for you to access care. At Suginami International Clinic, we remain committed to delivering patient-centered healthcare by integrating General Medicine with our specialized fields, ensuring comprehensive support for a wide range of medical needs.

 

As we welcome 2025, my team and I remain dedicated to supporting your health and happiness with sincerity and expertise. Please do not hesitate to reach out if there is any way we can assist you.

 

May the year ahead bring you and your loved ones good health, peace, and joy.

 

Warm regards,

 

Masahiro Iijima, Ph.D., M.D.

Director, Suginami International Clinic

 

Access・・・

Phone: 03-3318-1822 | E-mail: suikido1@gmail.com | Address: 3-46-5 Koenji-minami, Suginami-ku | Access: 5 min. from JR Koenji Sta. South exit

Consultation hours・・・

Mon/Tue 7:00am-11:30am, 5:00pm-6:30pm

Wed/ 7:00am-8:30am,　1:30pm-5:30pm

Thu/Fri 2:00pm-8:00pm

Holidays: Sundays, National Holidays and other designated days

Foreign Language: English | Credit Cards: Not accepted (cash only) | Japanese Insurance: Accepted (Japanese health insurance treatment only available during the above hours) | Other notes: Please check their website for current schedule. Patients with appointments via E-mail will be seen first.


How to place an appointment!

＜To all of the first visit without appointment.＞


Thank you for coming to Suginami International Clinic. We are terribly sorry but you need to make an appointment to be seen. If it is your first visit to our clinic, please check and see our official site in Suginami International Clinic beforehand. When you click an icon of Foreign Languages on the top page of our site, it's possible to see for your guidance message in English, French, German and Italian.
An e-mail address is shown as follows : suikido1@gmail.com You will need to provide us with your name, sex, date of birth, contact address, and reason for visit.
Should you have any question, feel free to contact our clinic by email in any language above.
You will receive an appointment information by email within the next 48 hours.
Although our foreign language ability is limited, we will try to contact you in English. Thank you.

Joseph M.Iijima,M.D.,Ph.D.,M.Sc.


= General items and personal information to bring =


- Japanese health certificate (if you have one) - Inform us if you have come toSuginami International Clinic (杉並国際クリニック) since May1.2019 or Koenji-minami clinic of holistic medicine（高円寺南診療所）until April 30.2019 previously?　(If you have our clinic card, inform us of the number) - Medical certificate (in English) if you are currently on treatment. - Medical prescription if you are currently taking medicine. - If you are pregnant, inform us when making an appointment. - Examination will take about 1 hour after reception. We will provide amenity, patient-oriented medical care, and warm services.Suginami International Clinic (杉並国際クリニック) is established as a pioneering private clinic based upon the concept of Global Integrative Medicine (GIM).


MORE Background Information concerning to Dr. Iijima


Suginami International Clinic (杉並国際クリニック)　is a practice based on the Global Integrative Medicine (GIM) founded by Joseph Masahiro Iijima, M.D. in 1989. It has been gradually developing to serve the English speaking international community for 30 years. After finishing high school, Mr. Iijima entered the National Defense Academy of Japan in Yokosuka, where he was inspired by the international atmosphere. Accordingly he was encouraged to understand cultural differences and communicate practically in English.

He was in turn determined to become a general physician.

-Just after graduating from Yamagata University School of Medicine, he passed the National Board Exam (1986) .

-He completed primary medical training at Toranomon Hospital, Psychosomatic Internal Medicine at the University of Tokyo department of Medicine. He managed to gain the academic knowledge and practical skills necessary for his profession, and has continued to improve on that knowledge since opening his clinic.

-He taught Clinical Pathology and Clinical Nutrition weekly at Showa Gakuin Junior College, department of Health Care & Nutrition for 15 years (since 2001) as a Visiting Professor.

- Master of Health Science (MHSc): Social Gerontology at the Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo ( March 2005)
-Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D in holistc nutrition):American Holistic College of Nutrition ( September 2005)

- Doctor of Medical Science (Ph.D. in Medical Science): Rehabilitation Medicine at the Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo (2010) .

Dr. Iijima’s certified expertise is in General Medicine with subspecialties in General Allergy & Rheumatology, Oriental Medicine and Psychosomatic Medicine. He has been trained to diagnose and treat common medical conditions seen in the outpatient setting. He is also the drafter of an agreement document between the German College of Psychosomatic Medicine (Deutches Kollegium für Psychosomatische Medizin: DKPM) and the Japan Society of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (JSPIM) as part of the international academic exchanges between Germany and Japan commemorating the 150th anniversary of Japanese-German relations in 2011.


Our History of continuing Efforts!

With an open-minded atmosphere, we have been providing reassuring and compassionate care since opening in 1989. With the tremendous support and generous understanding of the parties concerned, we have been able to carve out a history of more than 30 years. Over these years, we sought to upgrade our medical services by establishing several new clinical departments, including Clinical Nutrition (Nutrition Education / Counseling), Oriental Medicine (Chinese Herbal Medicine, Acupuncture) and Clinical Psychology (Several Relaxation Techniques, Counseling). As a clinic responsible for medical services in the 21st century, each department has a high quality, well-balanced team of clinic staff who are committed to the compassionate and cordial care of patients.


Our Present Philosophy toward the future!

With the rapidly aging population and the dwindling birthrate continuing in Japan, the disease structure of Japanese people is expected to see further changes going forward. In such an era, we will continue to provide highly advanced medical services underpinned by specialized expert knowledge and a patient-oriented stance, based on our original GIM concept. And we will aspire to continue to remain a trusted and comforting clinical partner for patients.

It is always your support that propels our endeavors. With all the staff members working together more than ever, we are resolved to provide satisfactory medical services to our patients.
Thank you very much for your continued understanding, cooperation, and encouragement!