Medical

Healthcare is one of the most important things to sort out when relocating to Japan. Fortunately, the country has a good quality healthcare system, but you’ll need to know how to access it. The general practitioner (GP) is the first port of call when you feel unwell. Here’s what you need to know about GPs in Japan. Japan’s Healthcare System Japan has a high-quality healthcare system available to all its citizens and long-term residents. It is an insurance-based system, where residents make regular contributions in return for highly subsidized healthcare. There is also a public assistance program to cover those unable to contribute. In addition to public healthcare, there is also private medical provision available to those not eligible for the public system as well as those who would like to take out additional coverage. Public healthcare is administered through Japan’s 47 prefectures. The phone number for health emergencies is 119. Who Can Access Doctors in Japan? Japanese citizens and long-term residents can access GP services in Japan through the insurance-based system. This covers anyone living in Japan for 90 days or more, usually through employment-based insurance contributions. However, the public insurance scheme only covers state-funded services. If you want…