About Japan TeamOncology Program (J-TOP)
Promoting Patient-Centered, Multidisciplinary Cancer Care
Since its establishment in 2001, the Japan TeamOncology Program (J-TOP) has been at the forefront of advancing a team-based, multidisciplinary approach to cancer care—or “TeamOncology”—in Japan and across Asia.
At its core, “TeamOncology” is a multidisciplinary treatment approach where a diverse team—including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and counselors—collaborates closely with patients, their families, and other key stakeholders. The goal of this collaborative framework is to enable every member to perform at their best, thereby maximizing patient satisfaction and optimizing overall care.
Our mission at J-TOP is to promote multidisciplinary team care throughout Japan and Asia and to empower patients to become central participants in their care. We provide educational programs founded on the advanced, systematic multidisciplinary approach of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the practical, hands-on methods of the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center. As the pioneers who first introduced the philosophy of multidisciplinary team care to Japan, we have provided invaluable learning opportunities to over 1,500 healthcare professionals for more than two decades, cultivating them to become leaders in multidisciplinary oncology.
The J-TOP community is composed of over 200 mentors and tutors, supported by a distinguished faculty from MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, and leading institutions in Japan. In recent years, our membership has expanded to include professionals from across Asia—including Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam—in turn influencing the establishment of TeamOncology Programs in their home countries. Furthermore, our collaboration with cancer survivors and a diverse range of corporate and organizational partners is a vital component that embodies the spirit of our multidisciplinary program.
J-TOP is a hub where individuals passionate about realizing better cancer care come together. Through our diverse network and a suite of programs dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders in multidisciplinary team oncology, we will continue to expand our educational activities, including workshops and seminars, and remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing a patient-centered, multidisciplinary model of cancer care in Japan and throughout Asia.
Mission
J-TOP provides premier educational programs in leadership and career development to nurture the essential competencies, skills, and capabilities of oncology leaders.These leaders are thereby equipped to champion a new era of patient-centered, multidisciplinary team care.
Vision
By advancing the practice of team science and fostering open communication with all sectors of society, we will foster a truly inclusive model of “Team-Based, multidisciplinary Cancer Care.” In this vision, the “team” is composed not only of patients and medical experts, but of professionals and stakeholders from every field, all contributing as essential partners.
Core Values
Compassion
Through our words and actions, we foster an environment where every individual is treated with dignity, empathy, and respect.
Integrity
We act with unwavering integrity to earn and uphold the trust of our colleagues and all those we serve.
Discover
We champion creativity and are relentless in our pursuit of new knowledge to drive progress in cancer care.