"Fresh Dissection"... Doctor Who Took Commemorative Photos with Cadavers for Dissection Ultimately Fired

Refusal to Dismiss Despite Demands from Affiliated Hospital
Criticism Intensifies, Appears to Have Been Dismissed

A Japanese plastic surgeon who posted photos taken in an anatomy lab on social networking services (SNS) has sparked controversy, and it has been reported that the doctor was eventually dismissed from the hospital.

A plastic surgeon in Japan sparked controversy by posting photos taken in a dissection lab on social media. He left captions such as "Going to dissect a fresh cadaver" and "There are many heads." Photo captured from X (formerly Twitter).

On the 28th, the Japanese Chunichi Shimbun reported that Tokyo Plastic Surgery Clinic, the hospital where doctor Kuroda Aimi, who shared inappropriate posts on SNS during an anatomy practice, is affiliated, decided to dismiss Kuroda. Tokyo Plastic Surgery Clinic announced on its website the previous day, "We inform you that we have decided to dismiss Kuroda Aimi as of December 30, 2024." They also emphasized, "We will strive to strengthen our organizational system to provide medical services that everyone can use with greater peace of mind in the future."

On the 29th of last month, Kuroda posted a video on her Instagram showing her anatomy training in Guam. The video begins with the phrase, "Now, let's go dissect a fresh cadaver!" Some parts of the cadaver appearing in the video were broadcast without mosaic blurring, and Kuroda added phrases such as "There are a lot of heads" along with smiling emojis. On the 2nd, she also posted photos of the training on her blog, including a photo taken inside the anatomy lab where she and her colleagues posed with 'V' signs with their fingers in front of the cadaver, which further fueled the controversy.

After strong criticism online, Kuroda posted an apology on the 23rd. She said, "As a doctor and as a person, I sincerely apologize for posting content lacking ethical awareness," but also stated, "(This Guam training) was a very valuable opportunity, and I posted because I wanted more doctors to know that such opportunities exist." All photos and videos posted on Kuroda's SNS have since been deleted.

Initially, Aso Tooru, director of Tokyo Plastic Surgery Clinic, said, "The dignity of the deceased is of course important, but the life and safety of living people are also important. Kuroda's motivation for posting the controversial content was good and unintentional," dismissing local netizens' demands for dismissal. However, as criticism did not subside, it is interpreted that the hospital decided on dismissal.

Citizens interviewed by ANN criticized, saying, "Even if mosaic blurring was applied, is it acceptable to post such photos?" and "Life and death are serious and important matters, so they should not be treated in such a manner." Locally, voices emerged expressing dissatisfaction with Kuroda's lack of respect for cadaver donors as a doctor, saying, "I don't want to become a doctor's toy after death," and even stating intentions to "withdraw consent for body donation."