Japan
As a foreigner living in Japan, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
We asked expats in Japan if they have access to public healthcare in Japan. And, if they do have access, what is it like. They wrote...
"There is a national health insurance that everyone (expats and Japanese people) is enrolled in. Its cost is based off of your previous year’s income. It covers 70% of most medical costs, but preventative care is not covered (flu shots, checkups, etc.). There are public and private hospitals available," said a member in Tokyo, Japan.
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"I have Social Health Insurance as an full-time employee. National Health Insurance also exists if one's job does not pay for half of insurance. Everyone is entitled to public insurance and may enroll if a resident. It costs me about 5% of my salary (and my employer pays another 5%) based on my salary in the previous year. I was enrolled with no questions of my pre-existing conditions. There are public hospitals, but I have not been to one yet. It is often the case that people with some health issue will go to a local, small practitioner that specializes in that field," remarked another expat who made the move to Tokyo, Japan.
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As a foreigner living in Japan, will I have access to public healthcare? What is it like?
If you live in Japan, newcomers to Japan would love to hear your answer to this question:
