You Won't Believe What Tests Japanese Surgeons Have to Pass

The lives of patients literally lie in the hands of surgeons, whose eagle eyes and hand movements must be crafted to perfection. Even a slightly wrong movement can kill a patient. Japan’s Kurashiki Central Hospital has introduced three unprecedentedly intricate tests for young surgeons.

First, they have to fold a 5mm crane origami. Then they are tasked with reassembling a bug. And finally, the surgeons step in to a cook’s shoes and create sushi with one grain of rice. All stages of the test last for 15 minutes.

Legend has it, in ancient times doctors in Tibet had to slice a long head hair lengthwise to qualify as surgeon’s assistant. A surgeon could further slice each of the two halves. And they didn’t have a microscope!