Myanmar Doctor Arrested on Suspicion of Performing Cosmetic Surgery Without a License in Japan Released by Japanese Police Due to Lack of Evidence

Mekong, July 11 Myanmar national Dr. Kyi Chan Ko, a doctor, and another Myanmar national, who were detained on suspicion of performing cosmetic surgery five times in Japan without a medical license, have been released by Japanese police after investigation found no criminal offense, according to his close associates. Dr. Kyi Chan Ko was taken in for questioning by the Japanese police on March 3rd, following a complaint from a 30-year-old Myanmar woman who underwent double eyelid surgery in June 2025 and reported difficulty opening her eyes after the procedure. He was held at the police station for questioning from the outset, according to one of his associates. "The doctor already had a license to practice medicine and holds a doctorate in Japan. He also has a clinic. When the complaint was filed, the Japanese police summoned him for questioning as part of their duty," said a doctor who knows him well. The accusations against Dr. Kyi Chan Ko included one patient experiencing difficulty opening and closing their eyes after double eyelid surgery, and two other patients developing noticeable scars, according to his associates. The Japanese police examined the complainants with a team of doctors and found no symptoms as alleged by the complainants. One of them did not even undergo examination, said a friend of his. "After conducting the necessary investigations, they were released within a few days as the allegations did not constitute a crime. Japan is not a country where bribery is possible. It is a country where the rule of law is fully upheld. While Japanese news reported it as a 'suspicion,' the term 'arrested' as used in Myanmar news is a misstatement of terminology," said his legal advisor. A holder of a Japanese law degree explained that under Article 17 (Violation of the Medical Practitioners’ Act) of Japanese law, performing medical treatment without a doctor's license can result in imprisonment for up to 3 years and a fine of one million yen. For foreigners, practicing medicine without a license can lead to deportation from Japan in addition to imprisonment. Furthermore, if surgical errors occur during double eyelid cosmetic surgery, such as difficulty opening or closing the eyes or leaving prominent scars, the affected patients may be entitled to significant compensation, explained a friend of his who holds a Japanese law degree. It is understood from his close associates that Dr. Kyi Chan Ko has not paid any compensation to the complainants who accused him of causing difficulty in opening his eyes and leaving scars on his eyelids and surrounding areas. A colleague of Dr. Kyi Chan Ko, who is a graduate of the University of Medicine, Mandalay, and holds a doctorate from the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at Juntendo University in Tokyo, Japan, firmly stated that Dr. Kyi Chan Ko's doctoral thesis can be read at the following link: https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/jmj/67/5/67_JMJ21-0006-OA/_article/-char/ja/ Dr. Kyi Chan Ko posted on his Facebook page that he will return to Myanmar from Japan on June 29, 2026, and will return to Japan from Myanmar near the end of July.