Healthcare systems around the world are under pressure, but few operate under conditions as demanding as Japan’s. Physicians routinely work shifts approaching 20 hours a day, while being expected to respond to a wide range of clinical questions—both within and outside their areas of specialisation—without compromising the quality of care.

In such an environment, access to reliable medical evidence is not a “nice to have”; it is essential. Yet the reality is that finding and validating that evidence takes time physicians simply do not have. For even a single case, searching PubMed with keywords alone can take more than 30 minutes, and while general-purpose large language models are increasingly used for administrative tasks, they remain difficult to trust for clinical decision-making.

This is the problem Nihin Media set out to solve with MedGen Japan—and why we chose to invest.

An AI Assistant Built for Real Clinical Practice

MedGen Japan is an AI assistant designed specifically for physicians working in Japan. Built on the information-gathering methods of experienced clinicians, the product focuses on one clear promise: delivering trustworthy, clinically relevant evidence within seconds, even under extreme time constraints.

This rapid access to evidence is not just about speed; it's about making informed decisions at critical moments. For example, when selecting a first-line drug for a patient with comorbidities like allergies or obesity—scenarios often not covered in standard textbooks—a physician can instantly consult past cases and treatment outcomes. When faced with a rare symptom, they can quickly validate a hypothesis against a database of case studies. The tool also supports reflective practice, allowing doctors to review the effectiveness of their past treatment decisions over their careers. Furthermore, during team conferences, MedGen Japan enables physicians to share common, evidence-based ground to collaboratively decide on treatment plans, ensuring the entire team is aligned.

Rather than relying on a single data source, MedGen Japan conducts cross-source searches across international academic papers and guidelines, as well as domestic literature and official Japanese medical documents. It then selects the most appropriate evidence based on research methodologies and citation counts, presenting results alongside clear explanations of why each source was chosen.

For physicians, this transparency is critical. It allows them to assess credibility quickly and make informed decisions with confidence—without treating AI as a black box.

What Sets Nihin Media Apart

In a rapidly evolving AI landscape, Nihin Media has taken a distinctly physician-first approach.

• Designed for Japanese clinical realities
  MedGen Japan searches not only PubMed, but also academic papers, clinical guidelines, and official documents—mirroring the meticulous research process of a seasoned Japanese clinician.
• Reliability over novelty
  The model is trained on insights from hundreds of physicians and prioritises trusted sources, preventing hallucinations and unsupported claims.
• Transparent evidence selection
  The product clearly displays evidence levels, journal impact, and AI-based selection criteria, helping physicians understand both the output and the reasoning behind it.

These design choices reflect a deep understanding of what clinicians need—and what they cannot compromise on.

Organic Adoption Driven by Physicians

The response from the medical community has been overwhelmingly positive.. Within six months of its official launch, MedGen Japan reached 200,000 cumulative uses, continuing to grow through organic adoption rather than top-down sales.

Word-of-mouth referrals among physicians have been a major growth driver, with usage spreading across university hospitals and physician communities. This kind of adoption is particularly meaningful in healthcare, where trust is earned through repeated use and peer recommendation.

Building the Product Together with Users

A key reason we were drawn to Nihin Media is the team’s commitment to building alongside their users. Through close interviews and usage research, the team implements and improves three to five features every week.

These improvements range from major functionality—such as “Quick Mode,” copy-and-paste features, and a physician Q&A forum—to fine-grained UX enhancements down to individual buttons. This rapid iteration reflects a clear belief: clinical tools must evolve in step with real-world practice.

By continuously refining the product with physicians, Nihin Media aims to improve both the quality and quantity of clinical input within limited timeframes, reduce physician burnout, and support the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based care.

Why We’re Excited About Nihin Media

Japan’s healthcare system faces structural challenges that cannot be solved by manpower alone. Thoughtfully designed tools that respect clinical realities, save time, and enhance decision-making will be essential to its future.

Nihin Media is building exactly that kind of tool. MedGen Japan is not about replacing physicians, but about supporting them—grounded in medical rigor, shaped by users, and aligned with the realities of clinical care.

The Nihin Media team possesses a rare depth of empathy and understanding for medical professionals and the wider healthcare industry. From their time in the Antler Residency, the founders impressed us not only with their expertise but with a powerful mission: to "establish a new standard for medical intelligence, simultaneously improving patient outcomes and the working style of medical professionals." 

Their solid execution and remarkable speed of growth are why we are delighted to be supporting Nihin Media's next growth phase, alongside Coreline Ventures. This combination of mission, execution, and deep domain insight makes us proud to back Nihin Media as they build the future of evidence-based clinical decision support in Japan.

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To find out more about Nihin Media, visit their website here.

Interested in building the next category-defining solution? Learn more and apply for the Antler Japan Residency Program here.