Healthcare in Japan

Healthcare in Japan is both accessible and compulsory for expats who have a resident’s visa or a work permit. In addition to the two public schemes – one for salaried workers and one covering the remaining population, expats also have the option of hiring the services of a private insurance company in Japan.

Public healthcare in Japan

Public healthcare in Japan falls under either the Employees' Health Insurance Plan or the National Protection Scheme.

Under the Employees’ Health Insurance programme policy, it is compulsory for a company or factory that employees more than five workers to provide them and their families with medical insurance and healthcare in the event of injury, sickness, death or childbirth. This plan covers the worker for up to 80% of their healthcare expenses, and covers their family for up to 70%.

The other insurance programme is the National Protection Scheme. This plan is also compulsory, and covers Japanese residents other than salaried people and workers. People under the National Protection system are covered up to 70% of their healthcare expenses, 80 to 90% for people aged 74 or more (depending upon resources), and 80% for children under the age of three.

Expats will need to register at their local municipal office or local city hall in order to start receiving healthcare in Japan under the National Protection Scheme. Bring your gaijin – alien registration card – and your work permit. A national social security card will then be issued and delivered. This document is needed when using public hospital facilities for anything from consultation to surgery.

A few points worth noting are that your premiums are based on your annual income (therefore, in your first year in Japan, you will be paying much less than in your second year), and that you will still be liable for around 30% of your medical costs.

Private healthcare in Japan

The medical system in Japan is one of the best in the world, and expats shouldn’t be concerned about the standard of practice, but in many cases private international medical insurance is still recommended. This will greatly depend on your employer, as different employment categories have different rules regarding healthcare. If you have private insurance you will be required to pay your bills up front, and will be reimbursed by your insurance scheme at a later point.
 
Many doctors might be nervous about treating a non-Japanese patient, particularly if you don’t speak Japanese. There are medical services in Tokyo which will direct you to your nearest English-speaking doctor/dentist (see the Tokyo guide). In other cities you might need to take a Japanese friend or colleague with you to act as interpreter and to reassure the doctor.