As a foreigner living in Tokyo, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?

"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," wrote a member who made the move to Tokyo, Japan.

Cigna Global Health
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Expats interested in International Health Insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.

Cigna Global Health

Expats interested in International Health Insurance should take a minute to get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA.
Get Quote

"As a foreigner living in Tokyo, you will have access to public healthcare, provided you are enrolled in one of Japan's health insurance programs, such as the National Health Insurance (NHI) or Employee's Health Insurance. The Japanese healthcare system is known for its high-quality medical services, well-equipped facilities, and well-trained healthcare professionals. However, it is important to note that not all medical staff may be fluent in English, so it might be helpful to have a Japanese-speaking friend or a translation app to assist you during medical appointments. Additionally, while public healthcare in Japan is generally affordable due to the insurance coverage, you may still be required to pay a percentage of the medical costs out-of-pocket," explained one expat living in Tokyo, Japan.