[Detailed Data] Ranking of 117 High Schools Strong in Medical School Acceptances / Cover: AiNA THE END / AERA Released on April 13
The April 20 expanded issue of AERA, released on April 13, features AiNA THE END on the cover and an exclusive ranking of 117 high schools with top medical school acceptances.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 11, 2026 at 02:04
- 🔍 Collected: April 11, 2026 at 00:21
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 05:53 (221h 32m after Collected)
The cover of the AERA expanded issue for April 20, released on April 13, features artist AiNA THE END. She speaks deeply about the source of her creativity, having acquired the dual expressions of dance and singing, and her way of life in making her own weaknesses and complexes her "allies." The photography is by AERA cover photographer Mika Ninagawa. The captivating photos capturing the colorful expressions born from her movements are a must-see. In the final installment of the university acceptance ranking series, "117 High Schools Strong in Medical Schools," we report in detail on the successful candidates for this year's medical school entrance exams. This includes an at-a-glance list ranking showing how many students from each high school were accepted into 50 national and public universities, a high school ranking by 72 individual medical schools, and a detailed report on the ranking of active high school student acceptances divided into private, public, and national universities. The main feature is "Women Revitalize Rural Areas." We interviewed women who are creating new value in regional areas and paving the way for the future. In "Portrait of the Present," we feature a character report on lawyer Yoichi Kitamura, who has handled numerous historical trials, and the issue is packed with other highlights including various serializations such as THE ALFEE's "Miracle Trajectory." Please take a look!
## Cover + Gravure Interview: AiNA THE END
Artist AiNA THE END, who has pursued physical expression through dance and verbal expression through song, makes her first appearance on the cover of AERA. AiNA says that she once experienced isolation because she couldn't communicate her feelings well in words, but in her solo activities, she handles all lyrics and composition, and says that the darkness within her and the things she couldn't say are the source of her songs. She revealed her thoughts, from the unprecedented challenges she experienced during her BiSH days and the changes since going solo, to her philosophy of viewing her own complexes as "cute" and turning them into a unique individuality. Please also check out the photos taken by AERA cover photographer Mika Ninagawa, which exude her strength as a performer!
## 117 High Schools Strong in Medical Schools / University Acceptance Ranking
We introduce a ranking of high schools with a large number of successful active student acceptances to the highly popular and difficult medical departments. At the top is Tokai High School (Aichi Prefecture) with 57 students, ranking first for the 19th consecutive year. Including those taking an extra year, they recorded a triple-digit number of 106 successful candidates. Through interviews with experts, we also analyze the exam guidance provided by top schools like Tokai. We also publish a ranking of successful candidates to medical departments broken down by 72 universities nationwide. Furthermore, we feature a ranking of the 117 high schools' acceptances to the medical departments of 50 national and public universities. This is the culminating project of the university acceptance ranking series that has continued since mid-March.
## Main Feature: Women Revitalize Rural Areas
We feature the activities of women who are breathing new life into and revitalizing regional areas that face many challenges, such as population decline and a lack of industrial workers. Women who have U-turned after moving to Tokyo, relocated due to marriage, or struggled with career walls have found a way forward in regional areas and are taking on the role of regional revitalization. We interviewed four women taking on challenges in diverse fields: an editor-in-chief aiming to create sustainable islands by disseminating information about remote islands; a brewery owner taking on the challenge of restoring an abandoned school on Sado Island to make new sake; a company president in Hiroshima managing a brand that supports entrepreneurs and conveys peace; and a manager promoting the sixth-sector industrialization of fisheries together with home-based workers nationwide. In addition, we also introduce initiatives for "migration marriage" that aim to increase the regional population by supporting relocation from urban areas paired with matchmaking.
## Cover + Gravure Interview: AiNA THE END
Artist AiNA THE END, who has pursued physical expression through dance and verbal expression through song, makes her first appearance on the cover of AERA. AiNA says that she once experienced isolation because she couldn't communicate her feelings well in words, but in her solo activities, she handles all lyrics and composition, and says that the darkness within her and the things she couldn't say are the source of her songs. She revealed her thoughts, from the unprecedented challenges she experienced during her BiSH days and the changes since going solo, to her philosophy of viewing her own complexes as "cute" and turning them into a unique individuality. Please also check out the photos taken by AERA cover photographer Mika Ninagawa, which exude her strength as a performer!
## 117 High Schools Strong in Medical Schools / University Acceptance Ranking
We introduce a ranking of high schools with a large number of successful active student acceptances to the highly popular and difficult medical departments. At the top is Tokai High School (Aichi Prefecture) with 57 students, ranking first for the 19th consecutive year. Including those taking an extra year, they recorded a triple-digit number of 106 successful candidates. Through interviews with experts, we also analyze the exam guidance provided by top schools like Tokai. We also publish a ranking of successful candidates to medical departments broken down by 72 universities nationwide. Furthermore, we feature a ranking of the 117 high schools' acceptances to the medical departments of 50 national and public universities. This is the culminating project of the university acceptance ranking series that has continued since mid-March.
## Main Feature: Women Revitalize Rural Areas
We feature the activities of women who are breathing new life into and revitalizing regional areas that face many challenges, such as population decline and a lack of industrial workers. Women who have U-turned after moving to Tokyo, relocated due to marriage, or struggled with career walls have found a way forward in regional areas and are taking on the role of regional revitalization. We interviewed four women taking on challenges in diverse fields: an editor-in-chief aiming to create sustainable islands by disseminating information about remote islands; a brewery owner taking on the challenge of restoring an abandoned school on Sado Island to make new sake; a company president in Hiroshima managing a brand that supports entrepreneurs and conveys peace; and a manager promoting the sixth-sector industrialization of fisheries together with home-based workers nationwide. In addition, we also introduce initiatives for "migration marriage" that aim to increase the regional population by supporting relocation from urban areas paired with matchmaking.