Medicine and healthcare in Japan: medical tourism, hospitals, insurance

Japan has had a universal mandatory health insurance system in place since 1961, and foreign nationals have access to proton therapy, regenerative medicine, and a network of accredited clinics offering multilingual support. The country has introduced a special medical visa for international patients, allowing for a stay of up to one year. Learn more about the characteristics of Japanese medicine, insurance plans for foreigners, and medical tourism opportunities in Japan

Japan is among the world leaders in healthcare. It has one of the world’s longest-running universal health insurance systems, and the average life expectancy exceeds 84 years.

We’ll discuss the principles of the Japanese healthcare system, access to treatment for foreign residents, and medical tourism opportunities in the article below.

Are you planning to seek treatment abroad and not sure where to start preparing?

The “Guide to Treatment Abroad” from the Visit World portal provides step-by-step information on choosing a clinic, preparing documents, visa and insurance details, and calculating the costs of a medical trip.

Features of Japan’s Healthcare System

Japan introduced its universal health insurance system in 1961, making it one of the first in the world. The right to healthcare is enshrined in Article 25 of the country’s Constitution, and funding is provided through mandatory contributions from insured individuals, employer contributions, and government subsidies. Universal coverage extends to 98.3% of the population, with the remainder covered by a government social assistance program for low-income individuals.

The system is centrally managed by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare (MHLW). The central government establishes a single national fee schedule for insurance reimbursements, so the cost of identical procedures is roughly the same at a clinic in Tokyo as in a small town in Hokkaido. The copayment is 10%, 20%, or 30% of the service cost, depending on the patient’s age and income; the remainder is covered by the insurance system. For households, there is a monthly cap; expenses above this limit are reimbursed or waived.

A distinctive feature of the Japanese model is the free choice of medical facility. Patients can see any specialist directly without a referral from a family doctor and choose a clinic in any region of the country. There are approximately 8,500 hospitals in Japan—one for every 15,000 residents—including large university medical centers, private clinics, and highly specialized institutions.

By the way, Japan has raised the departure tax effective July 1, 2026.

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

Healthcare in Japan for Foreigners

Foreigners staying in Japan for three months or longer are required to enroll in one of the types of public health insurance.

The main coverage plans are as follows:

• Kenkō-Hoken (Employee Health Insurance)—for salaried employees of companies; premiums are split equally between the employee and the employer.
• Kokumin-Kenkō-Hoken (National Health Insurance) — for the self-employed, retirees, students, and other non-working residents.
• Health Insurance for the Elderly — for citizens and residents aged 75 and older, with automatic enrollment and a reduced copayment of 10%.

Tourists and short-term visitors are not covered by the public system, so they must pay the full cost of medical services. The Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare strongly recommends that foreign travelers purchase private health insurance before their trip, as failure to pay medical bills may complicate re-entry in the future.

Calling an ambulance in the country is free regardless of the patient’s insurance status.

To overcome the language barrier, there are two accreditation systems for clinics catering to international patients: the national JMIP (Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients), administered by the Japan Medical Education Foundation as part of a government initiative, and the international JCI (Joint Commission International). JMIP-accredited facilities provide multilingual support, documentation in foreign languages, and take into account patients’ cultural and religious sensitivities. Among the leading centers are St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tokyo, Kameda Medical Center in Chiba, the Center Hospital of the National Center for Global Health and Medicine, and Nagoya University Hospital.

10 unique locations in Japan that will surprise tourists — see the link for a list.

Medical Tourism in Japan

The Japanese government introduced a special Visa for Medical Stay in 2011. The application process is handled through sponsors—medical coordinators or travel agencies registered with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) or the Japan Tourism Agency. The visa is valid for up to 3 years, and the duration of a single stay is 90 days, 6 months, or 1 year, depending on the patient’s clinical condition.

The visa is issued not only to the patient but also to accompanying persons—relatives or other trusted individuals (who are not permitted to engage in paid work during their stay). The list of services includes medical treatment, dental care, comprehensive medical examinations, and rehabilitation at hot springs for up to 90 days. At the national level, the program is coordinated by Medical Excellence Japan, an organization founded in 2013 to develop international medical services.

Foreign patients primarily seek treatment at Japanese clinics in the following areas:

• proton and ion therapy for cancer—Japan has an extensive network of proton therapy centers; the treatment is effective for liver tumors, pediatric cancers, and tumors of the skull base and sinuses;
• regenerative medicine—areas of application include cardiology, neurology, orthopedics, dermatology, and ophthalmology, including therapies based on iPS cells;
• early cancer diagnosis and comprehensive screenings (Ningen Dock) using PET, CT, and MRI;
• complex cardiac surgery, robotic surgeries, and treatment of rare diseases.

About new requirements for obtaining permanent residency in Japan — read here.

A Guide to Treatment Abroad from Visit World

Planning treatment outside of Ukraine requires preparation: gathering medical records, choosing a clinic, obtaining a visa and insurance policy, and calculating travel and accommodation costs. The Visit World portal has prepared a guide to medical treatment abroad with step-by-step instructions on available destinations, required documents, and the legal and financial nuances of medical travel.

Order the guide to medical treatment abroad from Visit World to get verified information and minimize risks at every stage of preparation!

Remember! In our previous article, we discussed the top countries with the best healthcare in the world in 2026.