Award-Winning Series: Man’s 11-Year Journey from Ministry of Agriculture to Medical School at 55, Becoming a Doctor at 60 — Aomori Asahi Broadcasting’s Documentary 'The Path of a Doctor at Sixty' to Premiere on TeleMentary Plus

Dr. Takashi Mizuno (71) of Towada Clinic in Aomori

Aomori Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Aomori City) will simultaneously broadcast the documentary series 'The Path of a Doctor at Sixty' on TeleMentary Plus from 10:00 AM on Sunday, July 12, 2026, on TV Asahi (Kanto local) and Aomori Asahi Broadcasting (Aomori local). This acclaimed series, which has won a total of 12 awards, follows an unconventional doctor over 11 years as he fights on the frontlines of rural healthcare. The documentary portrays the journey of Dr. Takashi Mizuno (71), who transitioned from a bureaucrat at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to medical school at age 55, obtained his medical license at 60, and now dedicates himself to home-visit medical care in Towada City, Aomori Prefecture. It is a human documentary dedicated to everyone living in a super-aging society.

Program Overview

Dr. Takashi Mizuno (71) of Towada Clinic in Aomori. While working as a bureaucrat at the Ministry of Agriculture, he studied for and passed the entrance exam to Kanazawa University School of Medicine at age 55. In 2015, at age 60, he obtained his medical license and moved to Towada City, Aomori. His inspiration to become a doctor came from a newspaper article about a woman in Miyagi Prefecture who obtained her medical license at age 62. Despite numerous 'age barriers,' he has focused on home-visit medical care since 2018. The documentary traces 11 years of his life up to age 71, following the journey of this 'unconventional doctor' chasing his dream.

◆ Program Title: TeleMentary Plus 'The Path of a Doctor at Sixty'

◆ Broadcast Date and Time: July 12, 2026 (Sun), 10:00 AM JST

◆ Broadcast Areas: Kanto region (TV Asahi), Aomori region (Aomori Asahi Broadcasting)

◆ Narration: Tomorowo Taguchi

◆ Director: Shuhei Nakajima

◆ Producers: Takayuki Kasai, Madoka Izumiyama

Director Shuhei Nakajima

'While there are many things that won’t come true no matter how hard you try, there are also many things that won’t happen unless you try. Dr. Mizuno has carved his own path through relentless effort. I’ve observed how, despite age barriers, he constantly asks himself what he can do for patients and for society. I hope this film inspires people not only in medicine but across all fields to consider the importance of challenging themselves and reflecting on what they can achieve at any age.'

['The Path of a Doctor at Sixty' Series – Past Awards]

January 2020: Galaxy Award Monthly Prize

2020: TeleMentary January Quarter Excellence Award

2020: TeleMentary Annual Excellence Award (2019)

2020: 57th (2019) Galaxy Award Encouragement Prize

2020: 26th PROGRESS Award Encouragement Prize

2022: 59th (2021) Galaxy Award Encouragement Prize

2022: Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Award – Excellence Prize, Hokkaido-Tohoku TV Cultural Category

2022: 25th Monozukuri Network Grand Prize – Grand Prize Winner

2022: 28th PROGRESS Award – Grand Prize Winner

2025: Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association Award – Excellence Prize for 'Broadcasting and Publicness'

2025: Kitahoku Producers Forum – Special Jury Prize

2026: Tohoku Video Festival 2026 – Grand Prize, Program Category

Aomori Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd.

News Department, Aomori Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd. Contact for inquiries: 017-762-1122 [email protected]