Japan is often listed as the country where people have the longest life expectancy. This is partly due to the high quality of medical care available to the public. Unlike many others, the Japanese healthcare system puts a high priority on preventative and not reactive care.
All citizens and residents of Japan are eligible to use the public system. This includes any foreigners who intend to stay in the country for longer than three months. However, treatment is not completely free. It鈥檚 common for people to buy supplemental private insurance. These plans help pay for the 30% of medical fees the public system doesn鈥檛 cover.
It takes time to apply for the public system, so most immigrants opt to buy international private insurance to ensure continuous coverage. Many private plans also offer translation services, which can be quite useful given the frequent lack of English-speaking medical staff.
Japan is often listed as the country where people have the longest life expectancy. This is partly due to the high quality of medical care available to the public. Unlike many others, the Japanese healthcare system puts a high priority on preventative and not reactive care.
All citizens and residents of Japan are eligible to use the public system. This includes any foreigners who intend to stay in the country for longer than three months. However, treatment is not completely free. It鈥檚 common for people to buy supplemental private insurance. These plans help pay for the 30% of medical fees the public system doesn鈥檛 cover.
It takes time to apply for the public system, so most immigrants opt to buy international private insurance to ensure continuous coverage. Many private plans also offer translation services, which can be quite useful given the frequent lack of English-speaking medical staff.
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Japanese Healthcare System Pros & Cons
The Japanese healthcare system consistently rates among the best in the world. While the public system is modern and accessible, it doesn鈥檛 completely cover healthcare costs. Depending on income level, patients have to pay around 30% of their medical fees. Due to this, most people tend to carry private insurance plans. In general, these plans play a supplementary role, offering critical illness benefits and other additional coverage.
Pros of Japan鈥檚 Healthcare System
In Japan, for-profit organizations are not allowed to run hospitals or clinics. Physicians make the governing and administrative decisions in hospitals. Clinics must also be owned and operated by physicians. The for-profit healthcare industry is primarily focused on elective and cosmetic procedures.
Overall, the Japanese healthcare system offers an excellent standard of public healthcare. There is a strong emphasis on preventative care. This includes things such as vaccination programs, prenatal care and critical illness prevention.
Medical fees in the country are set by a government committee that includes physicians. Every two years, the committee reviews and adjusts the fees. This allows the government to respond to economic changes and keep healthcare affordable.
The regular review and updates of fees also help to prevent fraud related to certain services. If the committee thinks a particular test is being over-recommended, it can lower the cost of the test. This makes it less lucrative for prescribing physicians.
Cons of Japan鈥檚 Healthcare System
Japanese physicians and nurses are not required to go through license renewals. If medical staff members aren't required to continue their education, there鈥檚 a chance they might not be up to date on the latest medical advances and best practices.
The majority of residents in Japan do not have a family physician. Most people tend to go directly to the specialist they need. When patients have multiple symptoms, they turn to hospitals, where many specialists work. As such, emergency rooms are often full of non-urgent cases.
The issue of wait times and capacity at hospitals is serious. There have been cases of patients dying after multiple hospitals refused to admit them.
Additionally, the country lacks a robust mental healthcare system. Practices discontinued in other countries, such as isolation or restraints, are still common in Japan. While the public system does offer some mental health support, treatment remains stigmatized.
Challenges Facing Japan鈥檚 Healthcare System
Japanese citizens have one of the longest life expectancies in the world. The country鈥檚 healthcare system is constantly looking at ways to serve its large and aging population better. By 2050, 40% of Japanese people will be over 65 years old. The increasing number of seniors will lead to an inevitable strain on the healthcare system.
Japan also has a unique situation, where physicians prefer to work in rural locations over urban ones. Doctors claim rural assignments offer a high quality of life and a less stressful work environment. This makes the issue of hospital wait times in urban centers even more difficult to tackle.
Lastly, language barriers are a significant problem for non-native Japanese speakers. While many hospitals around the world have English-speaking staff, this is not always the case in Japan. Many foreigners are surprised to learn this can be an issue even in large metropolitan areas.
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Recommended Insurance Coverage in Japan for US Citizens
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Does Japan Have Universal Healthcare?
Yes, the Japanese medical system is provided through universal healthcare. The first form of public healthcare in Japan began in 1927 with an employee health plan. By 1961, it had evolved into a system of universal coverage available to locals, foreigners and expats.
The public healthcare system is known as (SHI). SHI applies to everyone who is employed full-time with a medium or large company. Approximately 5% is deducted from salaries to pay for SHI, and employers match this cost.
Anyone who does not qualify under SHI receives coverage through the National Health Insurance (NHI) plan. People who work for a small business, are self-employed or are unemployed are eligible for the NHI plan. Most expats and digital nomads would be categorized as self-employed and pay into the NHI. The amount you pay is based on your income.
How is Japanese Healthcare Implemented?
Japan鈥檚 47 regions are responsible for implementing the rules, regulations, and fee schedules. They also have the flexibility to establish their local budget to reflect and respond to regional health concerns.
The regional municipalities also administer 鈥渘ursing care.鈥 Anyone over the age of 40 pays an additional 2% into the SHI or NHI to support this service. This fee covers the expenses associated with long-term care and nursing homes.
What鈥檚 Covered Under Japan鈥檚 Universal Healthcare?
The government generally pays for 70% of healthcare costs, while patients cover the rest. What the patient pays is dependent on their family size and income level, but it should never be more than 30% of the bill.
- Dental: Yes
- Optical: Yes
- Physical Therapy: Yes
- Prescription Drugs: Yes
- Mental Health: Psychiatric services are covered, but general counseling services are not
- Alternative Care: Yes, but only from licensed therapy centers
How to Access & Receive Healthcare in Japan
If you are eligible for coverage through SHI, you will find the process of accessing healthcare in Japan relatively easy. Employers take care of the paperwork for you too!
For NHI, the process is more tedious to complete. You'll need to visit your regional NHI office to take care of the paperwork. If you move, you'll have to re-register with your new nearest regional office.
Once you get your Japanese Health Insurance card, you鈥檒l be able to use the public system. The majority of residents do not have a primary general practitioner since most physicians tend to have a sub-specialty. When you need care, you鈥檒l go directly to a doctor who specializes in your specific needs.
With insurance, an average consultation costs between $33鈥$66 USD (5,000鈥10,000 JPY) at a clinic and $66鈥$100 USD (10,000鈥15,000 JPY) at a hospital. Without insurance, a consultation can vary between $132鈥$330 USD (20,000鈥50,000 JPY).
Keep in mind that language barriers can be a significant issue in Japan. Hiring an interpreter is a smart move for appointments. You might consider purchasing an insurance plan that includes translation services.
Healthcare for Expats in Japan
Foreigners who are staying in Japan for more than three months can register with the NHI. Those who work with a larger company can apply for the SHI.
Expats who are waiting for their paperwork to be processed are in limbo. You鈥檒l want to buy private international health insurance to ensure coverage while waiting for access to the public system.
Japan鈥檚 health insurance system does not cover tourists and other short-term visitors to the country. If you鈥檙e just visiting, you should make sure you buy a travel insurance plan to cover any medical expenses. To better understand your options, check out our Japan Travel Insurance for Visitors page.
Expat Insurance for Japan
While international citizens may be eligible to use Japan鈥檚 public healthcare system, most tend to carry supplemental private insurance.
For a more in-depth understanding of your options, check out our Health Insurance in Japan for Foreigners page.
Recommended Health Insurance in Japan for US Citizens
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad
Health Insurance in Japan for Non-US Expats
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global鈥檚 trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Read More: Health Insurance in Japan
Author: Elizabeth Baugh is a content editor at 皇家华人. She is writer specializing in education, travel, health, and wellness topics. With over a decade of international living and travel experience, Elizabeth is an expert in the realms of international travel, moving abroad, insurance, and immigration.聽
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