Seeing a Doctor in Japan: Insurance Proof, Costs and a First-Visit Checklist

1

Before you go

Check the clinic, language support and payment methods.

2

What to bring

Insurance proof, medicines and a symptom note.

3

At the clinic

Explain symptoms and ask about the next steps.

A visual summary of this guide. Read the relevant sections below for conditions and exceptions.

For a medical emergency requiring an ambulance, call 119. For a routine appointment, first check the clinic's department, appointment policy and language support. Public insurance usually covers part of insured treatment

For a medical emergency requiring an ambulance, call 119. For a routine appointment, first check the clinic's department, appointment policy and language support. Public insurance usually covers part of insured treatment; it does not make every service free.

Bring your My Number card registered for health-insurance use, or the 資格確認書 (qualification confirmation certificate) issued by your insurer. MHLW states that old health insurance cards expired by 1 December 2025 and the

Bring your My Number card registered for health-insurance use, or the 資格確認書 (qualification confirmation certificate) issued by your insurer. MHLW states that old health insurance cards expired by 1 December 2025 and the temporary handling of accidentally presented expired cards ended on 31 July 2026.

A 資格情報のお知らせ (notice of qualification information) is different from a qualification confirmation certificate. Do not assume it works by itself. If the card reader fails, tell reception: MHLW provides alternative checking procedures, including using the My Number card together with the Myna Portal qualification screen or its downloaded PDF. Losing a card or having a technical problem does not itself erase your insurance membership.

For insured treatment, people from school age to under 70 generally pay 30%; preschool children generally pay 20%. Older-age and income rules differ, and local subsidies may reduce the actual payment. Services outside in

For insured treatment, people from school age to under 70 generally pay 30%; preschool children generally pay 20%. Older-age and income rules differ, and local subsidies may reduce the actual payment. Services outside insurance, document charges and some additional hospital charges are separate. Ask for an estimate if you are unsure what a proposed service covers.

Certain larger hospitals charge an extra fee for a non-emergency visit without a referral. For an ordinary new symptom, contacting a local clinic first can help you reach the right department. Do not delay an emergency because you lack a referral.

High-cost medical expense protection can limit eligible costs, but your limit depends on the applicable period, age, income and insurer. Minato City's National Health Insurance notice confirms changes from August 2026; do not apply one municipal income table to every employee-insurance member. Before planned expensive treatment, ask your insurer how your limit can be applied at reception and what later reimbursement procedure is required. Keep receipts.

This is an original communication checklist, not a diagnostic tool.

This is an original communication checklist, not a diagnostic tool.

Bring a medicine notebook or medication list if you have one. Ask the clinic which payment methods it accepts rather than assuming a foreign card will work.

Phrases at reception and in the consultation

Tokyo's foreign-language medical information service is 03-5285-8181, daily 9:00–20:00, in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish according to its official service page. It helps with medical institution and system i

Tokyo's foreign-language medical information service is 03-5285-8181, daily 9:00–20:00, in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish according to its official service page. It helps with medical institution and system information; it is not the ambulance dispatch line. Outside Tokyo, use your prefecture's medical information service.

When calling 119, say you need an ambulance, give your location and answer the operator's questions. Keep your address and building name available in Japanese before an emergency happens.

• MHLW: insurance verification

• MHLW: insurance verification

• MHLW: cost-sharing enquiries

• MHLW: additional hospital charges

• Minato City: August 2026 high-cost expense changes

• Tokyo: medical information service

• Tokyo: calling an ambulance

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