If you are injured or become ill during your stay in Japan, you should see a doctor at a Japanese medical institution. Japan's public medical insurance system is one of the most comprehensive in the world. However, there are some things you should know beforehand, such as the high cost of medical care if you have not paid your insurance premiums. This section will explain about medical care so that you can live your life as an international student with peace of mind.
If you are injured or sick, the first thing you should do is go to the nearest hospital or clinic. The hospital you should go to depends on the symptoms of your injury or illness. If necessary, you will be taken to a larger hospital for tests or hospitalization. In such cases, a letter of referral from a doctor is often required.
| Internal Medicine | General and common symptoms and diseases such as colds, headaches, dizziness, chest pain, abdominal pain, etc. are treated first. |
|---|---|
| Surgery | Treats traumatic injuries, which basically require surgery. |
| Otorhinolaryngology | Diagnosis of diseases of the ear, nose, throat, and esophagus. |
| Ophthalmology | Diagnosis of eye diseases and examination of vision and contact lenses. |
| Dentistry | Deals with the prevention and treatment of dental diseases. |
| Obstetrics and Gynecology | Treats diseases specific to women, pregnancy and childbirth. |
| Urology | Deals with diseases of the urinary system. For men, it also deals with reproductive organs. |
| Orthopedics | Prevention and treatment of functional disorders and changes in the shape of the skeletal structure, joints, muscles, nerves, and other motor systems. |
During the consultation, explanations are basically given in Japanese. If you are not fluent in Japanese, please go to a hospital where foreign languages are available.
AMDA Medical Information Center accepts medical consultations in various foreign languages. You can also download a multilingual medical questionnaire, which you can give to your doctor to fill out during your consultation.
Official Site: NPO AMDA Medical Information Center
After the consultation, you will be given a prescription for medicine at the checkout. When you go to the pharmacy with the prescription, you will be able to purchase the medicine specified by the doctor. Most pharmacies are located near the hospital, but if you don't know where they are, ask the hospital staff.
When you get sick or injured, you may need an ambulance. In Japan, an ambulance can be called by dialing 119. Call the number and explain to the paramedic the situation of the sick or injured person and where you are. Ambulances are very convenient, but they cannot be used for minor illnesses or injuries. Do not call an ambulance unnecessarily so that those who need it can use it.
Prescriptions from the hospital can be taken to a pharmacy to purchase medications as specified by the doctor. Prescription drugs cannot be purchased without a doctor's prescription. Be sure to listen to the pharmacist as he or she will explain the dosage and usage of the medicine. The pharmacist will often explain in Japanese, so if your Japanese is not good, go with an interpreter.
In addition to prescription drugs, you can also purchase over-the-counter drugs at pharmacies. OTC medicines can be purchased without a doctor's approval. Purchase the appropriate medication for your headache, cough, sore throat, or other symptoms. However, the effects of OTC medicines are limited, so be sure to visit a medical institution if your symptoms are severe or if you do not recover.
If you are covered by public medical insurance, you only need to pay 30% of the medical expenses, which is basically set uniformly throughout the country. However, if you go to a medical institution without public medical insurance, you will be responsible for all medical expenses and the medical institution can charge you freely, so the payment will be quite expensive.
If you are an international student, you are required to join the National Health Insurance. After completing the procedures at the municipal office of the city or ward where you live, you will receive an "insurance card". The insurance card is proof that you are insured, so take good care of it. The insurance card contains the name and address of the person who purchased the insurance, and it must be presented at the counter of the medical institution when receiving medical treatment. Carry it with you even when you travel in Japan. The insurance card cannot be lent, borrowed, or sold.
There is an insurance system in Japan that will cover a portion of your medical expenses if you are injured or become ill while studying abroad. It is necessary to purchase insurance in case of emergency. The main types of insurance that international students can join are National Health Insurance and Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance.
For more information, please see the Cost of Study page.
The Public Pension System is a social insurance system to support senior citizens, disabled people, and the families of deceased. The public pension system consists of the National Pension Plan and the Employee’s Pension Insurance Plan.
For more information, please see the Cost of Study page.