Miscellaneous

Citizens of Japan enjoy high-quality, affordable and easily accessible health care, although there is no centralized publicly run system. Most clinics and hospitals are privately operated, either by corporations, individual practitioners, universities or other non-profit organizations, although there are also hospitals run by cities and even the national government. From the perspective of the patient, however, the experience of using one of these public hospitals does not differ from using a private medical facility. Visiting a clinic is quite straightforward. There is no GP system and it is not necessary to register with a doctor in advance of seeking treatment. In addition to clinics specializing in internal medicine, there are many specialist clinics that patients can choose to visit without a referral based on their symptoms. Some clinics allow patients to make appointments over the phone or online, while others require that patients simply take a number and wait to be seen. There is a registration fee payable the first time you visit a clinic or hospital, with a higher fee for hospitals to encourage use of clinics where possible. If you visit a clinic and they lack the facilities or expertise to provide the necessary treatment, the doctor will…