How does health care work in Japan and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need? 

How does the healthcare system work in Japan?

What is the quality of healthcare in Japan?

• In Japan you will find one of the highest life expectancies in the world! This of course has several reasons, but one of them is the efficient and accessible healthcare system.
• The quality of care provided in Japan is often high, but at the same time “self-reliance” and “taking care of each other within your community” are central. This keeps the healthcare system affordable. In addition, Japan invests heavily in technology and healthcare innovation.
• Hospitals and clinics in Japan are run as nonprofit organizations, which helps keep costs down.

How does the public healthcare system work in Japan?

• There are two insurance programs in Japan.
  • If you live in Japan for more than 3 months (except for the digital nomad visa), you are required to sign up for National Health Insurance (NHI), or Kokumin-Kenkō-Hoken.
  • If you work there, chances are your company will sign you up for Employees Health Insurance, or Kenkō-Hoken. This insurance covers certain health care costs and often covers your family's expenses as well. 
• The care is mostly of good quality and also not that expensive. If you use NHI, always take your NHI card with you when you go to medical appointments; claiming afterwards can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
• Please note; even though Japanese care is of high quality: there are always things you will face as an emigrant that are not covered (think repatriation, care by good English-speaking doctors, wider treatment choices, etc.) Private (additional) coverage can fill in the gaps and offer a wider choice of coverage.
• Public healthcare does not always cover specific individual healthcare needs; think orthopedic and cosmetic procedures.
• As you see in several Asian countries, “mental health care” is not a priority in Japan either. Care in this area can sometimes be outdated or less effective.
• As a foreigner, you may be surprised at the types of medicines for which you need a prescription. An example: even for ear drops you usually need a prescription in Japan.
• In Japan, people are more focused on prevention than we might be used to in other countries, for example. If you work in Japan, your company usually requires annual health checks to monitor your situation. 
• There is quite a language barrier in many hospitals, both local hospitals and in big cities. There are some completely private international clinics, but for regular care, it's helpful to check with other expats about hospitals with English-speaking doctors or bring someone/a translation app with you.
• If you have international health insurance, always check in advance which hospitals/clinics you can go to for which care. Sometimes there are restrictions, especially if you expect higher costs.
• Waiting times are relatively short. Often you can be seen immediately and scans/photos are also taken immediately. Most clinics do not require an appointment. Do contact the specific clinic you want to visit online in advance to make sure you can get in.
• Not all clinics offer all types of care. Therefore, you may have to travel for specialty care. 

How to sign up globally for Japan?

• Once you have found a place to settle in Japan, you need to inform the local government of your prefecture. Keep in mind that, depending on the prefecture, it may be difficult to find someone who speaks something other than Japanese.
• After registering your address and contact information with this local government office, you will get your residence card
  (Zairyu). After that, go directly to the National Health Insurance counter and fill out another form. On this form you may need to fill in/bring the following, among other things: your name and address; passport; residence card; MyNumber card if you have one (social security card).
• Your health insurance premiums are based on your monthly income. If you are a student or unemployed, you will pay less than people with jobs. Costs also depend on where you live.

How does the private healthcare system work in Japan?

• There are private clinics and hospitals. Many healthcare facilities are actually private, but the special feature of the system is that they are accessible to people with Japanese health insurance. 
• The distinction between private care and public care is less clear than in other countries. 

How is the general practitioner arranged in Japan?

• General practitioners are not common in Japan; people usually go directly to a clinic or hospital. 
• So this also means that you have a new doctor all the time. Keep in mind a more time-consuming process, as each new doctor must familiarize himself with your medical history each time.

How is the dentist arranged in Japan?

• Dental care is not expensive and is also generally partially covered by public insurance. The quality is generally good. 
• Treatments are often spread over several days, so it may take some time to finish. 
• You really do need to make an appointment for the dentist (haisha). Often this can be done by calling, or online. 

How is pregnancy care arranged in Japan?

• The infant and maternal mortality rate is one of the lowest in the world. The process is safe and efficient. 
• Japanese doctors often pay extra close attention to your weight when you are pregnant. You will receive comments if they think you are getting too fat. The “recommended (maximum) weight gain” is often set relatively low.
• Most births take place in the hospital or in birthing clinics. 
• The health care system does not cover prenatal, birth or postnatal care. Instead, you get vouchers for this that you can use as you choose.

How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Japan?

What should you pay attention to in terms of safely in the Japan?

• With one of the lowest crime rates in the world, Japan is a very safe country to live in. 
• People obey the rules (sometimes too much) and there is very little crime. 
• Still, crime does occur in large cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. The world-famous trick of drugging someone in a bar also occurs in Japan, especially in popular nightlife areas (Roppongi, Shibuya in Tokyo or Namba in Osaka, among others).
• Perhaps surprisingly, tattoos are often associated with criminal gangs in Japan. Keep in mind that you are not allowed inside some swimming pools, spas or gyms, for example.
• Earthquakes do pose a safety risk. There are also typhoons and the possibility of volcanic eruptions and tsunamis. Fortunately, there is a strong warning system and many training and safety protocols. 
• Be sure to read up on your safety and measures around earthquakes. There are also several museums/research centers where you can undergo an earthquake simulation.

What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Japan?

• In general, Japan is very clean and you can drink water everywhere (except very occasionally at toilet houses on, for example, hiking trails). 
• There are few tropical diseases, but be well informed because vaccinations for Japanese encephalitis, for example, may be necessary depending on where you will be living and what work you will be doing. 
• The Japanese summer can be extremely hot and humid. Heat stroke (getting overheated) is common. 
• Hay fever is a growing problem in spring in Japan. 
• If you have a medical condition yourself, you need to find out carefully which and how you can take your medicines with you to Japan. From a certain quantity, for example, you must also fill out an import certificate (Yunyu Kakunin-sho). 
• Loneliness and work pressure is also often a problem among expats. Be sure to keep a close eye on your mental health and be sure to seek help when needed. 

What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Japan?

• Traffic is very safe and well regulated. 
• In Japan, you must drive on the left and overtake on the right. Traffic lights are often placed horizontally rather than vertically, with green, orange and red from left to right.
• Japan is certainly strict about drugs and alcohol in traffic. Even if, as a passenger, you allow a driver to drive a car under the influence of alcohol, you can be heavily fined.

What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Japan?

• Is the trip to Japan and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.

What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Japan if you are going to live there for a while?

• As an alternative to other basic health insurance, international emigration or expat insurance is a common replacement. Such insurance offers a number of advantages.  Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.