Healthcare
Latest news and updates on healthcare for expats in Japan
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Financial Crisis Amid Rising Costs
Japan's national university hospitals report major deficits while the government plans a 3.09% medical fee increase, the largest in 30 years, potentia...
Healthcare Costs Rise for Higher Earners and Elderly in Japan
Japan's government proposes expanding higher cost-sharing for nursing care and raising outpatient expense caps for elderly patients, targeting higher ...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Critical Reforms Amid Emergency Response Gaps
Japan faces healthcare reforms addressing emergency response gaps exposed by nighttime disasters and negotiations over medical fee increases. Decision...
Japan to Expand Healthcare Self-Payment Requirements for Elderly Services
Japan's government is expanding 20% co-payment requirements for long-term care services based on income, while proposals suggest adding special fees t...
Japan Advances Healthcare Reforms: Free Childbirth, Workplace Support, Fraud Crackdown
Japan is reforming healthcare with free childbirth coverage through insurance plus cash payments, new workplace guidelines for women's health support,...
Japan Delays Decision on Medical Fee Changes for Seniors Aged 70+
Japan postpones decisions on medical fee changes for those 70+ until fiscal 2025. Current co-payment rates remain unchanged while government conducts ...
Japan Proposes Healthcare Cost Reforms Affecting Expats and Elderly
Japan's health ministry proposes raising outpatient cost caps for those over 70 and charging care management fees for nursing home residents, potentia...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Major Changes in Medical Fee Structure
Japan is revising medical fees paid to healthcare institutions, with increases likely for personnel costs. Prime Minister Takaichi also announced Japa...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Major Insurance and Cost Reforms in 2025
Japan will finalize major healthcare reforms by December 2025, increasing costs for prescription drugs similar to OTC medications while maintaining pr...
Japan's Healthcare Crisis: Nursing Shortages and Insurance Reforms Ahead
Japan faces nursing school closures affecting 10% of programs, medical fee increase requests, and debates over insurance coverage for OTC-equivalent d...
Japan to Cover Full Childbirth Costs and Lower Drug Prices in 2026
Japan will cover standard childbirth costs fully through public insurance in 2026, eliminating out-of-pocket expenses. Drug prices will also decrease ...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Major Changes and Critical Shortages
Japan transitions to My Number health insurance cards from December 2024, with a grace period until March 2025. Critical shortages of pediatric heart ...
MyNumber Health Insurance Cards Now Mandatory at Japanese Medical Facilities
Japan mandates MyNumber health insurance cards at medical facilities from December 2, 2024. Traditional cards remain valid until March 2025 as a trans...
Japan's Healthcare Reforms: What Changes Mean for Your Family's Coverage
Japan plans to expand National Health Insurance premium relief to high school-age children by April 2027, while adding surcharges to medications simil...
Japan's Healthcare Crisis: Hospital Deficits and Coming Insurance Reforms
Japan's hospitals face average deficits of 140 million yen despite subsidies, while 37% of care facilities operate at losses. The government proposes ...
New Flu Variant Detected in Japan as Insurance Policy Changes Loom
A new H3 influenza variant has been detected in Japan while the government plans year-end decisions on insurance coverage for common medications, pote...
Japan Reviews High-Cost Medical Care System Amid Insurance Reform Push
Japan's government is reviewing the High-Cost Medical Care Benefit System's outpatient provisions, potentially affecting how all residents manage expe...
Japan's Healthcare System Faces Cost Pressures as Reforms Loom
Japan's healthcare system faces financial strain from inflation, prompting medical associations to seek government support. Proposed reforms may incre...
Japan Announces Major Healthcare and Welfare Reforms for 2025
Japan's welfare ministry announces nursing care fee revisions to improve worker conditions, responds to court ruling on welfare payment reductions, an...
Japan's High-Cost Medical Treatment System Faces Major Reform Debate
Japan is reviewing reforms to its High-Cost Medical Treatment system, which caps monthly medical expenses. Patient groups have raised concerns about p...