The journal ceased operation in 2017, resuming one year later in 2018 under the current title.

The journal publishes invited articles and does not accept unsolicited submissions.

JMAJ also reports news related to the Japan Medical Association's international engagement, including regional World Medical Association (WMA) projects, and Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania (CMAAO) activities.

In 1958, JMP published the first issue of the Asian Medical Journal, an English language publication, to further medical research to Japan and the Asian region[3] The first issue included a message from president of the Japan Red Cross Society, stating the ongoing human suffering caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and that the knowledge published in the new journal, would hopefully help to bring an end to the severe burden of disease caused by acute radiation poisoning.

[4] In 1960, the Japan Medical Association assumed editorial responsibility for the journal, and in 1984 took over the publication rights.