15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Japan

"Healthcare services in Japan are generally of a high quality and are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is funded by taxes and is available to all citizens and foreign residents. It covers a wide range of services, including preventive care, hospitalization, and long-term care. The quality of public healthcare is generally good, with access to modern medical technology and highly trained medical professionals. Foreign residents are eligible to use the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a portion of the cost. Expats in Japan can use the public healthcare system by registering with their local municipality and obtaining a health insurance card. This card allows them to access public healthcare services at a discounted rate," remarked one expat living in Japan.

"Research clinics and hospitals online that are English-speaking beforehand. Contact clinics to ask if they perform certain procedures. Learn some common words to ask for specific things if you have to go to a Japanese-speaking clinic or hospital. Hospitals will not coddle you - you must advocate for yourself and be firm if you are having certain issues. Otherwise they may rush you out after a quick once-over," said one expat living in Tokyo.

"It is difficult to find English speaking health providers, but they do exist. The healthcare culture is very rushed and you must be clear about what you need, otherwise the doctor isn't going to take the time to figure it out for you," mentioned one expat in Tokyo.

"In Japan, medical services are highly advanced and of a very high quality. The country has a comprehensive healthcare system that provides access to a wide range of medical services, including preventive care, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Japan also has a well-developed network of hospitals and clinics, staffed by highly trained and experienced medical professionals. Patients can expect to receive personalized care and attention, and the latest medical technology is often used to ensure the best possible outcomes," commented one expat who moved to Japan.

"I have Social Health Insurance that my job helped set up for me. It's accepted pretty much everywhere as it's a public insurance. I have only needed to do something preventative, though, so I have only paid for medical service in its entirely before," remarked one expat in Tokyo.

"Emergency services in Japan are highly efficient and reliable. In the event of an emergency, the best way to call for an ambulance is to dial the emergency number 119. This number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is free of charge. When calling, it is important to provide the operator with as much information as possible, such as the exact location of the emergency, the type of emergency, and any other relevant information. The operator will then dispatch an ambulance to the scene as quickly as possible," commented one expat living in Japan.

"You for an ambulance by dialing 119. Tokyo is a huge city so I cannot give a recommendation on the best hospitals, as there are a lot of hospitals to choose from and they vary in their care and speciality. I would advise someone to find a hospital that provides English support if they are not comfortable communicating solely in Japanese," wrote one expat.

"Emergency services are common and can be accessed by calling 119 for a fire or ambulance and 110 for police. I am a 20 minute public transit ride away from several different hospitals, or a 10 minute drive. The best hospitals in the city are The University of Tokyo Hospital and St. Luke's International Hospital. I am unfamiliar with their care as I have not had to visit yet," commented one expat who moved to Tokyo.

"Tokyo is widely regarded as having the best selection of medical specialists in Japan, with many of the country's top hospitals and clinics located in the city. Other major cities such as Osaka, Kyoto, and Yokohama also have a wide range of medical specialists available. In addition, many smaller cities and rural areas throughout Japan have excellent medical facilities and specialists, making it possible to find quality care no matter where you are in the country," said one expat.

"Expats likely go anywhere that has English speakers. Healthcare is good here. People only have to pay 30% of reasonable costs for anything covered. Unfortunately, the public healthcare here does not cover anything preventative. Since I still have active health insurance in America, I have visited there to get a child prevention measure done - completely covered," remarked one expat in Tokyo.

"Pharmacies are usually attached to hospitals or clinics and require prescriptions. There are drugstores for over-the-counter medicine. Prescription medicine is priced pretty low, depending on what coverage and costs you are used to," wrote one expat.

"There is a hospital about 15 minutes from my home. Hospitals are everywhere and are accessible. Every hospital I have been to has been of good quality and if it is public or private varies by case," commented one expat living in Tokyo, Japan.

"Medical facilities and medical care in Japan are of a very high quality. The country has a well-developed healthcare system, with a wide range of medical services available. Doctors and nurses are highly trained and experienced, and the latest medical technology is widely used. Japan also has a strong emphasis on preventive medicine, with regular health check-ups and screenings available to the public. In addition, the cost of medical care in Japan is generally lower than in many other developed countries," wrote one expat.

"There is a national health insurance that everyone (expats and Japanese people) is enrolled in. Its cost is based off of your previous year’s income. It covers 70% of most medical costs, but preventative care is not covered (flu shots, checkups, etc.). There are public and private hospitals available," remarked one expat living in Tokyo.

"I have Social Health Insurance as an full-time employee. National Health Insurance also exists if one's job does not pay for half of insurance. Everyone is entitled to public insurance and may enroll if a resident. It costs me about 5% of my salary (and my employer pays another 5%) based on my salary in the previous year. I was enrolled with no questions of my pre-existing conditions. There are public hospitals, but I have not been to one yet. It is often the case that people with some health issue will go to a local, small practitioner that specializes in that field," said one expat living in Tokyo.

"Tokyo has managed it very well, and during this outbreak, the standard of medical care there has been superb," remarked one expat living in Tokyo.

"My experiences with the local healthcare system in Japan during the pandemic have been generally positive. The healthcare system has been very responsive to the pandemic, with the government providing clear guidance on how to prevent the spread of the virus and how to seek medical attention if needed. The healthcare system has also been very efficient in providing testing and treatment for those who need it. In addition, the healthcare system has been very supportive of those who are struggling financially due to the pandemic, providing financial assistance and other forms of support. Overall, I have been very impressed with the way the healthcare system in Japan has responded to the pandemic," said one expat living in Japan.