Healthcare System in Japan: everything you need to know

How does the Japanese healthcare system work?

The Japanese healthcare system is one of the best in the world, one of the reasons why the country has the highest life expectancy. Healthcare consists of a universal system that covers all citizens and permanent residents of the country. It is financed through taxes and individual contributions. Depending on the patient's income, the government is responsible for 70 percent of health costs, while users must cover 30, 20 or 10 percent of the treatment.

The main system is the Social Health Insurance (SHI), which covers 98.3% of the population. In addition, there is the Public Social Assistance Program that takes care of the remaining 1.7%, which is the lower income population. People who are unemployed and do not qualify for SHIS insurance can join the National Health Insurance (NHI).

It is mandatory for citizens and permanent residents to enroll in one of these systems, which include hospital care, specialists, mental health and prescription drugs.

The costs of medical care are determined by a political committee together with health specialists who meet every two years to adjust prices depending on the state of the economy in the country.

A high percentage of the population (about 70%) also has additional private health insurance. It is mainly used as an additional layer of protection in case of suffering from an illness with very high treatment costs. 

How does the system work for foreigners?

If you are going to live in Japan for more than one year, you can register to the universal public health care system. For those who are going to work, the health tax will be automatically deducted from your monthly salary. However, if you are going to be self-employed, studying or unemployed, you must register through the National Health Insurance (NHI) at the local government office. The health tax you are charged will depend directly on your salary.

If, on the other hand, you are going to Japan for tourism, i.e. less than four months, the local health care system will not cover you for any medical emergency. Therefore, it is very important to have travel insurance to cover you for any unforeseen event. If you require medical attention and do not have medical insurance, you will be obliged to assume all the costs.

Make sure you travel protected against any accident. At InternationalHealth.com you can find a variety of travel insurance plans with worldwide coverage.

What do I do if I have an emergency in Japan?

In the event of a medical emergency during your stay in Japan, you should dial 199 from any local mobile or landline phone to get assistance.

If you need police assistance, you should dial 110 and for firefighters 119. If you call the emergency services from a public phone, the dispatcher will be able to identify your location. However, if you dial from a home phone, you will have to give them the details of your location. If you do not speak Japanese, make sure you have someone nearby who can communicate in the language and tell the dispatcher your location and the type of emergency, as they may not understand your language.  

If you are affiliated with the public health system, ambulance and rescue services are free of charge. However, if you are not insured, you will have to pay for all the costs of care you require in your emergency. 

How do pharmacies operate in Japan?

Pharmacies in Japan DO NOT accept prescriptions from foreign doctors. The prescription must be filled by a local doctor. The amount of medicine you can bring in from abroad cannot be more than a month's supply. Therefore, if you are going to be in the country for more than one month and require medication, plan to visit a local doctor who can prescribe your medication in Japan.

There are two types of establishments for purchasing medicines, drugstores and pharmacies. Pharmacies, which are usually attached to clinics and hospitals, sell only prescription drugs. Drugstores, on the other hand, carry all kinds of hygiene, cosmetic and food products. 
 

Entry requirements

Check the following link to see all the countries that do not require a visa for temporary stays in Japan. Visitors coming from these countries are allowed to stay in Japan for a maximum of 90 days.

As of October 11 there are no Covid-19 restrictions for travel to Japan.