Healthcare
Latest news and updates on healthcare for expats in Japan
Blood Vessel Inflammation Drug Linked to 20 Deaths in Japan
Kissei Pharmaceutical issued a safety alert after 20 deaths among patients taking Tabneos for vasculitis. The company recommends no new prescriptions ...
Japan Releases Medical Glove Stockpile Amid Middle East Supply Crisis
Japan's government is releasing medical glove stockpiles at 5,980 yen per unit starting May 18 due to Middle East supply disruptions. Healthcare facil...
Japan Approves Insurance Coverage for iPS Cell Parkinson's Treatment at ¥55.3M
Japan approves insurance coverage for Amshepri, an iPS cell treatment for Parkinson's disease, at ¥55.3 million per procedure. Patients with national ...
Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship Heading to Canary Islands
A cruise ship with suspected hantavirus outbreak heads to Canary Islands from Cape Verde. Japanese health ministry says domestic spread risk remains l...
Measles Cases Surge to 362 in Japan as Misinformation Spreads Online
Measles cases in Japan have surged to 362, rising over 50 in one week—the fastest spread since 2020. Health experts urge vaccination as misinformation...
Japan Proposes Raising Medical Costs for Seniors Aged 70 and Above
Japan's Finance Ministry proposes raising medical copayments to 30% for those aged 70+, aiming to reduce burdens on working-age residents. The change ...
Japan Moves Forward with Co-Payment Increases for OTC-Similar Drugs
Japan's lower house committee approved health insurance amendments requiring additional patient fees for OTC-similar prescription drugs, advancing cos...
Japan to Release 50 Million Medical Gloves Amid Middle East Supply Concerns
Japan will release 50 million medical gloves from national stockpiles in May 2026 due to Middle East supply concerns. Some hospitals already face pric...
Measles Cases Exceed 200 in Japan, Fastest Spread Since 2020
Measles cases in Japan have reached 236, the fastest increase since 2020. Health authorities urge vaccination verification, especially for children an...
Japan Approves ¥300 Million Gene Therapy and Expands Palliative Care Coverage
Japan approves ¥300 million gene therapy under public insurance and expands palliative care beyond cancer patients, affecting all insured residents in...
Influenza B Surge in Tokyo: What Expats Need to Know About Symptoms
Tokyo's influenza cases doubled in early February 2026, with Influenza B increasing significantly. This strain spreads easily as it often lacks high f...
Japan Disciplines 28 Medical Professionals in Latest Accountability Review
Japan's health ministry disciplined 28 doctors and dentists with penalties ranging from license revocations to practice suspensions, demonstrating the...
Recent Medical Malpractice Cases Highlight Patient Safety Concerns in Japan
Recent court rulings awarded 180 million yen for a daycare choking incident and 6.1 million yen for surgical gauze left in a patient, highlighting pat...
Measles Outbreak in Kanto and Record Whooping Cough Deaths Alert Expats
Measles cases surge in Kanto region while whooping cough killed seven infants in 2025, the highest toll in 20 years. Expats should verify vaccination ...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Pressure on Atomic Bomb Recognition
Atomic bomb survivor groups urge faster healthcare recognition as victims age, while business federation acknowledges wage growth must outpace inflati...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Mounting Pressure from Elderly Care Crisis
Japan faces 225,000-person elderly care waiting lists, launches antimicrobial resistance research with Southeast Asia, and confronts annual New Year m...
Japan's Healthcare Faces Twin Challenges: Rising Elderly Costs, Safety Concerns
Japan plans to expand higher medical co-payments for elderly patients during 2025, while Nagoya University Hospital suspends pediatric surgeries follo...
Japan's Healthcare Costs Rising: New Fees for OTC Drugs, Higher Limits
Japan raises healthcare costs from August 2025 with higher income-based limits for expensive treatments and new fees for 77 common prescription drugs ...
Healthcare Costs Rising in Japan: What Expats Need to Know for 2025
Japan is raising healthcare costs in 2025 with medical fee increases of 2.22%, new surcharges on 1,100 prescription drugs similar to OTC medications, ...
Healthcare Costs in Japan: Insurance Premiums Drop While Medical Fees Rise in 2025
Japan's 2025 healthcare changes bring a 2.22% medical fee increase starting April while Kyōkai Kenpō insurance premiums drop 0.1% for the first time i...