Health Care in Japan
Health Insurance
All residents of Japan are required to enroll in a health insurance plan. Foreigners working full time for a Japanese company usually are included in that company's health insurance plan.
Under the latter plan, the patient is required to pay only 30 percent or less of all medical expenses depending on the employer's contribution. Any foreigner who has completed alien registration and has permission to reside in Japan is eligible for national health insurance. Costs vary regionally, and if you've been working in Japan for over a year, your premiums will be based on your income for the previous year.
You can enroll for national health insurance at the insurance counter of your local ward or municipal office. Remember to carry your national health insurance card at all times. If you receive emergency medical treatment without presenting your card, you may be required to pay the full medical bill. However, 70 percent of this amount can usually be reclaimed at a later date by taking the hospital bill receipt to your local ward or municipal office.
Vaccination Requirements
There are no vaccinations required for Japan; however, it is a good idea to make sure your rabies and tetanus shots are up-to-date, and vaccination for hepatitis A is strongly recommended.
Contact the Traveler's Clinic at a local university health center or a doctor who specializes in travel medicine to ensure that there are no new health risks. Another good source of up-to-the-minute information on vaccination requirements and disease information is the International Traveler's Hotline in Atlanta at (404) 332-4559, which is sponsored by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This service is regularly updated for each country.
Medicine
If you plan to carry prescription drugs into the country with you, bring a copy of the prescription information and leave the medication in its original, labeled container. Some inhalers and allergy, sinus, and over-the-counter drugs containing amphetamines are illegal to bring into Japan.
Hospitals
The hospitals listed below are all reputed to have good medical care and most have English-speaking staff on hand.
Tokyo
Hospital of Medical Science, University of Tokyo
6-1 Shirogane-dai 4-chome, Minato-ku
Tokyo 108, Japan
(03) 3443-8111
International Clinic
1-5-9 Azabudai, Minato-ku
Tokyo 106, Japan
(03) 35-823-7831
Japan Red Cross Medical Center
4-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya-Ku
Tokyo 100, Japan
(03) 3400-1311
St. Luke's International Hospital
Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku
Tokyo 104, Japan
(03) 3541-5151
Osaka
Japanese Red Cross Hospital
5-53 Fudegasaki-cho, Tennoji-ku
Osaka, Japan
(06) 771-5131
Kinki University Hospital
377-2 Ohno Higashi
Osakasayama-ji 589, Japan
(0723) 660-221
Ohno Memorial Hospital
1-26-10, Minamihorie, Nishi-ku
Osaka, Japan
(06) 531-1815
Osaka Teishin Hospital
2-6-40 Karasugatsuji, 2-chome, Tennoji-ku
Osaka, Japan
(06) 773-7111
Kobe
Kobe Adventist Hospital
8-4-1 Arinodai, Kita-ku
Kobe, Japan
(078) 981-0161
Kobe City General Hospital
4-6 Minatojima Nakamachi, Chuo-ku
Kobe, Japan
(078) 302-4321
Kobe Red Cross Hospital
7-5-2 Kusumoki-cho, Chuo-ku
Kobe, Japan
(078) 341-7451
Kyoto
Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital
355-5 Haruobi-cho, Kamigyo-ku
Kyoto, Japan
(075) 231-5171
Kyoto University Hospital
Shogoin, 54 Kawarahara-cho, Sakyo-ku
Kyoto, Japan
(075) 751-3111
Takeda General Hospital
28-1 Moriminami-cho, Ishida, Fushimi-ku
Kyoto, Japan
(075) 572-6331
Yokohama
Bluff Clinic
82 Yamate-cho, Naka-ku
Yokohama 231, Japan
(045) 641-6961
Emergency: (045) 641-6964
Mikasa Medical Clinic
101 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku
Yokohama 231, Japan
(045) 641-6991
Nishi Yokohama International Hospital
56 Kumisawa-cho, Totsuka-ku
Yokohama 245, Japan
(045) 871-8855
