AI Assistant for Japanese Doctors, 'MedGen Japan,' Launches Personal Information Masking Feature for Safer Generative AI Use in Healthcare
Key facts
- AI Assistant for Japanese Doctors, 'MedGen Japan,' Launches Personal Information Masking Feature for Safer Generative AI Use in Healthcare
- Nihinmedia Inc. has implemented a personal information masking feature in its AI assistant for Japanese doctors, 'MedGen Japan.' This function automatically detects and masks personal information within doctor-inputted questions before submission, reducing the risk of patient data leakage during generative AI use in medical settings. This allows doctors to use MedGen Japan with greater confidence, promoting the safe adoption and spread of generative AI in healthcare institutions.
- Source: PR Times
- Date: June 9, 2026
Direct answer
Nihinmedia Inc. has implemented a personal information masking feature in its AI assistant for Japanese doctors, 'MedGen Japan.' This function automatically detects and masks personal information within doctor-inputted questions before submission, reducing the risk of patient data leakage during generative AI use in medical settings. This allows doctors to use MedGen Japan with greater confidence, promoting the safe adoption and spread of generative AI in healthcare institutions.
- Citation
- AI Assistant for Japanese Doctors, 'MedGen Japan,' Launches Personal Information Masking Feature for Safer Generative AI Use in Healthcare (June 9, 2026), PR Times
- Source
- PR Times
- Date
- June 9, 2026
Nihinmedia Inc. has implemented a personal information masking feature in its AI assistant for Japanese doctors, 'MedGen Japan.' This function automatically detects and masks personal information within doctor-inputted questions before submission, reducing the risk of patient data leakage during generative AI use in medical settings. This allows doctors to use MedGen Japan with greater confidence, promoting the safe adoption and spread of generative AI in healthcare institutions.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 9, 2026 at 10:00
- 🔍 Collected: June 9, 2026 at 10:36 (36 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 12, 2026 at 16:52 (78h 16m after Collected)
Today, Nihinmedia Inc. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Kota Ando, Manjunatha Chandrappa) announced the release of a new feature for 'MedGen Japan,' an AI assistant for Japanese doctors. This feature automatically detects and masks personal information contained in questions inputted by doctors before they are sent.
Background for the New Feature Release
In medical settings, the use of generative AI is expanding across various scenarios, including literature searches, information gathering related to patient care, creation of patient explanation materials, and drafting medical records and other documents.
However, when doctors use generative AI in medical practice, information that could identify individual patients, such as patient names, dates of birth, facility names, and consultation dates, may be unintentionally included. This is particularly true when conducting literature searches or gathering medical information based on actual patient backgrounds, where more specific questions increase the need for careful handling of personal information.
Medical information requires particularly cautious handling, and to ensure the safe utilization of generative AI in healthcare, a design that prioritizes safety from the input stage is crucial, in addition to improving response accuracy.
Introduction to the Personal Information Masking Feature
The newly released personal information masking feature automatically detects potential personal information within a doctor's question before it is sent via MedGen Japan and masks it.
The masked question can be reviewed and edited by the doctor before submission if necessary. This enables doctors to use MedGen Japan more safely, even during busy daily clinical practice, while being mindful of personal information handling.
With this feature, the question text before masking is not stored on external servers. Furthermore, our company's servers used for providing MedGen Japan's services are located within Japan, and the system is designed with the premise of use in medical settings for handling input information.
Future Outlook
As an AI assistant created for Japanese doctors, MedGen Japan will continue to advance its development of features that consider Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information and the information management principles required in medical settings, in addition to improving the accuracy of literature searches and evidence presentation.
Especially in environments where many doctors work, such as university hospitals and large medical institutions, there is a need for systems that ensure safe use, considering that doctors' experience with generative AI, digital literacy, and awareness of personal information handling can vary. The newly released personal information masking feature serves as a mechanism that prompts consideration for personal information at the stage before question submission, rather than relying solely on individual doctors' attention, thereby supporting risk reduction in the use of generative AI within medical institutions.
This consideration for safety at the input stage is not only a feature to help doctors use generative AI with peace of mind but also a first step towards the full implementation of generative AI in medical settings.
Moving forward, we aim to create an environment where medical institutions can confidently introduce generative AI, and to expand into more advanced use cases such as institutional adoption, management of usage and usage history according to internal rules, and integration with electronic health records and internal databases.
About MedGen Japan
The AI assistant 'MedGen Japan' is based on the information-gathering methods of veteran doctors. It comprehensively searches overseas papers/guidelines and domestic literature/public documents, selects the most optimal literature based on research methods and citation counts, and provides evidence in one minute with AI transparently showing the sources and selection reasons, significantly reducing the time doctors spend on research.
1. Searches not only PubMed but also guidelines and public documents tailored to 'Japanese clinical practice.'
2. A model trained on hundreds of doctors prevents hallucinations by relying on credible literature.
3. Displays AI's reasons for literature selection, such as evidence level and journal impact factor.
Due to these unique features, MedGen Japan continues to experience rapid organic growth. Word-of-mouth and referrals, particularly among doctors, are a major driving force, spreading within university hospitals and doctor communities.
Japanese doctors can try and register for free via the link below:
https://medgen.nihinmedia.jp/l/download-app
Comments from Stakeholders
Dr. Satoshi Ishii, Director of Kudanshita Ekimae Coco Clinic / Medical Advisor at Nihinmedia Inc.
When using generative AI, not inputting personal information into prompts is a basic precaution. However, when trying to operate within limited time, considering sensitive clinical information or the act of masking itself can be stressful for the doctor. Furthermore, there is even a risk of unintentionally including information that could identify a patient due to simple operational errors.
This new personal information masking feature prompts consideration for personal information before submitting a question. A system that allows doctors to recognize risks at the input stage, without relying solely on individual attention, is highly significant for utilizing generative AI safely and stress-free in busy clinical practice.
[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]
Contact: Nihinmedia Public Relations Department
Email: contact@nihinmedia.jp
Company Name: Nihinmedia Inc.
Headquarters: 1-12-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Mark City West 22F
Established: June 21, 2023
Representative Directors (Joint): Kota Ando, Manjunatha Chandrappa
Company Homepage: https://nihinmedia.jp
Background for the New Feature Release
In medical settings, the use of generative AI is expanding across various scenarios, including literature searches, information gathering related to patient care, creation of patient explanation materials, and drafting medical records and other documents.
However, when doctors use generative AI in medical practice, information that could identify individual patients, such as patient names, dates of birth, facility names, and consultation dates, may be unintentionally included. This is particularly true when conducting literature searches or gathering medical information based on actual patient backgrounds, where more specific questions increase the need for careful handling of personal information.
Medical information requires particularly cautious handling, and to ensure the safe utilization of generative AI in healthcare, a design that prioritizes safety from the input stage is crucial, in addition to improving response accuracy.
Introduction to the Personal Information Masking Feature
The newly released personal information masking feature automatically detects potential personal information within a doctor's question before it is sent via MedGen Japan and masks it.
The masked question can be reviewed and edited by the doctor before submission if necessary. This enables doctors to use MedGen Japan more safely, even during busy daily clinical practice, while being mindful of personal information handling.
With this feature, the question text before masking is not stored on external servers. Furthermore, our company's servers used for providing MedGen Japan's services are located within Japan, and the system is designed with the premise of use in medical settings for handling input information.
Future Outlook
As an AI assistant created for Japanese doctors, MedGen Japan will continue to advance its development of features that consider Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information and the information management principles required in medical settings, in addition to improving the accuracy of literature searches and evidence presentation.
Especially in environments where many doctors work, such as university hospitals and large medical institutions, there is a need for systems that ensure safe use, considering that doctors' experience with generative AI, digital literacy, and awareness of personal information handling can vary. The newly released personal information masking feature serves as a mechanism that prompts consideration for personal information at the stage before question submission, rather than relying solely on individual doctors' attention, thereby supporting risk reduction in the use of generative AI within medical institutions.
This consideration for safety at the input stage is not only a feature to help doctors use generative AI with peace of mind but also a first step towards the full implementation of generative AI in medical settings.
Moving forward, we aim to create an environment where medical institutions can confidently introduce generative AI, and to expand into more advanced use cases such as institutional adoption, management of usage and usage history according to internal rules, and integration with electronic health records and internal databases.
About MedGen Japan
The AI assistant 'MedGen Japan' is based on the information-gathering methods of veteran doctors. It comprehensively searches overseas papers/guidelines and domestic literature/public documents, selects the most optimal literature based on research methods and citation counts, and provides evidence in one minute with AI transparently showing the sources and selection reasons, significantly reducing the time doctors spend on research.
1. Searches not only PubMed but also guidelines and public documents tailored to 'Japanese clinical practice.'
2. A model trained on hundreds of doctors prevents hallucinations by relying on credible literature.
3. Displays AI's reasons for literature selection, such as evidence level and journal impact factor.
Due to these unique features, MedGen Japan continues to experience rapid organic growth. Word-of-mouth and referrals, particularly among doctors, are a major driving force, spreading within university hospitals and doctor communities.
Japanese doctors can try and register for free via the link below:
https://medgen.nihinmedia.jp/l/download-app
Comments from Stakeholders
Dr. Satoshi Ishii, Director of Kudanshita Ekimae Coco Clinic / Medical Advisor at Nihinmedia Inc.
When using generative AI, not inputting personal information into prompts is a basic precaution. However, when trying to operate within limited time, considering sensitive clinical information or the act of masking itself can be stressful for the doctor. Furthermore, there is even a risk of unintentionally including information that could identify a patient due to simple operational errors.
This new personal information masking feature prompts consideration for personal information before submitting a question. A system that allows doctors to recognize risks at the input stage, without relying solely on individual attention, is highly significant for utilizing generative AI safely and stress-free in busy clinical practice.
[Inquiries Regarding This Matter]
Contact: Nihinmedia Public Relations Department
Email: contact@nihinmedia.jp
Company Name: Nihinmedia Inc.
Headquarters: 1-12-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Mark City West 22F
Established: June 21, 2023
Representative Directors (Joint): Kota Ando, Manjunatha Chandrappa
Company Homepage: https://nihinmedia.jp
FAQ
What specifically does MedGen Japan's new feature protect?
It automatically detects personal information such as patient names, dates of birth, and facility names within questions entered by doctors and masks them before transmission, preventing unintentional information leakage.
What problem in the medical field does this feature solve?
It solves the problem of personal information leakage risk when using generative AI, providing an environment where doctors can use AI with peace of mind.
What kind of doctors is MedGen Japan intended for?
It is intended for Japanese doctors in general, and is particularly suitable for those seeking to improve the efficiency of literature searches and information gathering, and to utilize AI with safety considerations.
How does this feature ensure safety?
The question text before masking is not stored, and the servers are located within Japan. Additionally, the confirmation and editing process after masking ensures information is handled under the doctor's control.
What are the future plans for MedGen Japan?
We will continue to develop features that consider the Act on the Protection of Personal Information and the needs of the medical field, aiming for more advanced applications such as institutional adoption and integration with electronic health records.