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. Foreigners who are either self-employed or part-time company employees are covered by the
National 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. If you are planning on living in or spending a significant amount of time traveling in a rural area, get vaccination for Japanese encephalitis, which is a mosquito-borne disease. 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
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