The research substantiates Japanese experience of media literacy and oral communication skills development by digital storytelling (DST); reveals theoretical background and current practical application of DST in higher education of Japan. DST has significant advantages as an individual- and situation-oriented tool of oral communication as well as the instrument of psychological and learning influence on society. It is continuously
implemented into Japanese educational and social practice. Famous universities of Japan initiate and
realize scientific and academic projects, extending communication connections of Japanese
population, improving their skills of critical thinking and argumentation, developing desires and
abilities to communicate freely, fluently, confidently and persuasively.
At present DST shows a positive growing tendency as a teaching and learning tool in higher
education of both Japan and Ukraine. This is primarily linked with the global processes of social
digitalization, computerization of education and urgent transferring to distance learning due to the
COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence-based studies prove the efficacy of DST as the learning and
evaluation instrument of oral communication skills, i. e. in English. Moreover, the technology can
be applied in different specialties, i. e. medical one. The healthcare branch was drastically influenced
by quarantine restrictions, having resulted in fundamental transformations of teaching and learning
approaches, implementation of e-learning and telemedicine. DST has a confirmed positive influence
on public health and medical knowledge development. In higher medical education it can be used
as a new type of virtual patients. DST can improve physician-patient communication skills,
professional qualities, tolerance and empathy.