Top 10 Best Hospitals In Japan for Foreigners and Citizens

Rosemary March 14, 2024 | 19:53

Japan offers the best medical services in Asia. Which Japanese hospitals are the best for citizens and foreigners alike? You can read the article to find out more.

Best International Hospitals for Expatriates Around the World by Country

Overview: Japanese Healthcare System

Japan offers universal healthcare, with the statutory health insurance system (SHIS) covering 98.3% of the population and the public social assistance program for the poor covering the remaining 1.7%.

The more than 1,400 employment-based insurance plans that comprise the SHIS cover about 59% of the population. Every one of Japan's 47 prefectures also offers residence-based insurance plans to unemployed people under the age of 74, and government-sponsored insurance is available to seniors 75 years of age and above.

In Japan, there were over 8,300 hospitals with about 1.6 million beds as of 2021. Merely 15% of hospitals are under the management of municipalities, prefectures, or the federal government; the majority are private non-profit organizations.

The Best Hospitals In Japan - Photo: KnowInsiders.com

Table of Contents
Overview: Japanese Healthcare System Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Japan? How much does the public healthcare in Japan cover? How much does it cost for hospital fees in Japan? 1. The University of Tokyo Hospital Where can I find an English-speaking doctor in Tokyo? 2. St. Luke's International Hospital 3. Kameda Medical Center 4. Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital 5. International Health Care Clinic 6. Tokyo Takanawa Hospital 7. Sanno Hospital 8. Tokyo Midtown Clinic 9. Japanese Red Cross Medical Centre 10. Nagoya University Hospital Conclusion

Table of Contents

Overview: Japanese Healthcare System

Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Japan?

How much does the public healthcare in Japan cover?

How much does it cost for hospital fees in Japan?

1. The University of Tokyo Hospital

Where can I find an English-speaking doctor in Tokyo?

2. St. Luke's International Hospital

3. Kameda Medical Center

4. Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital

5. International Health Care Clinic

6. Tokyo Takanawa Hospital

7. Sanno Hospital

8. Tokyo Midtown Clinic

9. Japanese Red Cross Medical Centre

10. Nagoya University Hospital

Conclusion

Japan has one of the longest life expectancies in the world. In Japan, women can expect to live an average of 88 years. For men, it is 75. In addition, women have a 50% chance of living to be 90 years old. For men, the percentage is only about 30%.

Because medical education is so expensive in Japan, there are fewer doctors per capita. Nonetheless, the country's focus on and advancements in medical technology and equipment have led to the continued excellence of hospitals and clinics.

It may surprise some foreign visitors that ambulance rides are free.

Japanese medicine has a higher potency than that of other nations. As a result, even something as simple as ear drops may need a prescription.

Is Health Insurance Mandatory in Japan?

However, in order to avoid paying taxes retroactively, you should enroll in the National Public Health Insurance as soon as possible if you plan to stay in Japan for more than 90 days. You will be required to pay that amount even if you do not ultimately require medical attention.

If you relocate to a different Japanese municipality or prefecture, don't forget to update the National Health Insurance with your new address. It's probable that the location of your residence is causing you to pay higher premiums than necessary.

How much does the public healthcare in Japan cover?

The majority of the expense associated with doctor visits and procedures for illness, injury, and dental care are covered by the Japanese National Health Insurance and the Employee Insurance. Included in this category are, but are not limited to:

• general medical check-ups

• preventative care

• prescription medication

• injury due to an accident

• hospital stays, including some meals

• blood transfusion

• acupuncture and/or other therapy prescribed by a doctor

• birth and pre-natal costs

The Japanese healthcare system is comprehensive. Whether you are paying for a doctor’s appointment, surgery at a hospital, or prescribed medication from a pharmacy, at least 70% of the costs should be covered. This percentage changes only depending on age.

• Infants: 80% of medical costs are covered

• School-aged children to 69 years old: 70% of medical costs are covered

• Adults 70–74 years of age: 90% of medical costs are covered

• Residents between the ages of 40 and 65 will pay an extra 2% for a nursing care fee.

How much does it cost for hospital fees in Japan?

Costs associated with receiving medical care in Japan can vary widely based on factors like the severity of an illness, how long it takes to treat, and the specialty of the attending physician (general or specialist). If you have health insurance, however, you can expect to pay between 5,000 and 10,000 JPY (45 and 90 USD) for a consultation at a clinic, and between 10,000 and 15,000 JPY (90 and 140 USD) at a hospital. Without insurance, you could be looking at an additional 20,000 - 50,000 JPY (180–460 USD). In my opinion, follow-up visits should be less expensive.

The expense of doctor visits and checkups is consistent across all of Japan's prefectures. In Japan, all medical facilities are obligated to charge the same rate for their services.

Top 10 Best Hospitals In Japan

(By Newsweek and Mailmate)

The hospitals right below are of best quality in Japan. In particular, they are English-speaking medical facilities where foreigners can find the best services.

1. The University of Tokyo Hospital

Top 10 Best Hospitals In Japan for Foreigners and Citizens

Address: 7 Chome-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo City, Tokyo

Phone: +81 3-3815-5411

Website: u-tokyo.ac.jp

At Bunkyo City, Tokyo, the University of Tokyo Hospital is a multispecialty teaching facility housing 1,226 beds, of which 1,178 are for general acute care and 48 are for psychiatric patients.

Up to 36 clinical divisions and departments, including those for cardiology, respiratory medicine, dermatology, and neuropsychiatry, are housed within the general medical and surgical facility.

The University of Tokyo Hospital does more than 11,000 surgeries annually. It is well-known for pediatric, orthopaedic, GI, and spinal surgeries in addition to different kinds of organ transplants.

Where can I find an English-speaking doctor in Tokyo?

You can find an English-speaking doctor at a hospital if it is accredited by the Japan International Hospitals (JIH) or the Japan Medical Service Accreditation for International Patients (JMIP). This accreditation enables hospitals to offer multilingual consultations and care to patients of various nationalities.

Not just those living in Tokyo can benefit from searching for "JMIP hospital near me" to find out where to go for multilingual help when they are abroad in Japan.

If a JMIP or JIH hospital isn't close by, some hospitals do, of course, offer English translation services or have doctors on staff who speak the language.

Note: Please consult the Tokyo EMS Handbook to determine if you or someone you know needs medical attention at a hospital or if you should call an ambulance for assistance.

2. St. Luke's International Hospital

Address: 9-1 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

Phone: +81 3-3541-5151

Website: hospital.luke.ac.jp

Over a century after Dr. Rudolf B. Teusler, the hospital's founder, developed the hospital's mission statement in 1933, we still use it as the foundation for our management operations. St. Luke's Hospital was established in Tsukiji, an area reserved for foreign residents, at the beginning of the 20th century.

Since 2012, Joint Commission International (JCI), an international hospital evaluator, has accredited this hospital every three years, guaranteeing that we adhere to the same standards for medical safety and quality improvement as world-class hospitals. Additionally, in 2019, this hospital received accreditation as a Magnet Hospital—a worldwide nursing standard—proving our appeal to nurses. Additionally, in December 2020, this hospital received accreditation.

3. Kameda Medical Center

Kameda Medical Center

Address: 929 Higashi-cho, Kamogawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan 296-8602

Phone: (81) 4-7092-2211

Website: Kameda.com

Our medical service facility, which includes Kameda General Hospital and Kameda Clinic, is known as Kameda Medical Center in English. Kameda Medical Center, located in the southern part of Chiba Prefecture, receives approximately 3,000 outpatient visits per day to one of our many specialized clinical departments.

4. Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital

Address: 1 Chome-4-17 Mita, Minato City, Tokyo

Phone: +81-(0)50-5358-2873

Website: saichu.jp

JMIP-certified Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital is a short walk from Akabanebashi Station. It provides comprehensive medical care to international patients and houses an Emergency and Critical Care Center.

There is an international office at the hospital that assists patients who do not speak Japanese. On-site medical interpreters are available in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Chinese.

Tokyo Saiseikai Central Hospital encourages patients to make a reservation in advance or have a medical referral letter before visiting. Individuals who do not have one may have to wait much longer for a consultation.

5. International Health Care Clinic

Address: 105-0004 Tokyo, Minato City, Shinbashi

Phone: 03-3501-1330

Website: ihc-clinic.jp

Whether you have Japanese health insurance or not, this clinic offers multilingual treatment and medical services for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries. They also provide international medical transportation between countries and within Japanese hospitals.

A reservation is required for the International Health Care Clinic. You can request an appointment through their website form or email them at [email protected] to schedule your consultation.

6. Tokyo Takanawa Hospital

Address: 3-chōme-10-11 Takanawa, Minato City, Tokyo

Phone: 03-3443-9191

Website: takanawa.jcho.go.jp

Takanawadai Station is a 3-minute walk from Tokyo Takanawa Hospital. It is JIH and JMIP certified and offers services in both English and Chinese.

Although you don't need an appointment for a first-time consultation, the hospital recommends calling in advance to ensure there are openings in the schedule.

7. Sanno Hospital

Address: 8-chōme-10-16 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo

Website: sannoclc.or.jp

Phone: 03-3402-3151

Sanno Hospital has English-speaking doctors and Japanese-English interpreters on staff. It's less than a 5-minute walk from Aoyama-itchome Station and Nogizaka Station. The hospital has a wide array of patient-oriented medical services, including dentistry, ophthalmology, and a respected Obstetrics & Gynecology department.

Outpatient walk-ins are accepted for specific departments. You can check which departments accept walk-ins on their Outpatient page. Reception hours are from 8:30 - 11:30 AM and 1:00 - 4:30 PM on Mondays to Saturdays.

8. Tokyo Midtown Clinic

Address: 07-6206 Tokyo, Minato City, Akasaka, 9-chōme−7−1 6F Midtown Tower

Phone: 03-5413-0080

Website: tokyomidtown-mc.jp

Tokyo Midtown Clinic has a specialized outpatient center as well as a cutting-edge health screening facility. Furthermore, the clinic is one of Japan's first hospitals to be accredited by the Joint Commission International (Ambulatory Care Program), an internationally recognized health care organization.

Outpatient services are only available by appointment. Reservations can be made up to a month in advance via their internet reservation system or by phone.

9. Japanese Red Cross Medical Centre

Address: 4 Chome-1-22 Hiroo, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-8935

Phone: +81 3-3400-1311

Located in Tokyo's Shibuya-ku neighborhood of Hiroo, the Japanese Red Cross Medical Center (JRC Medical Center) is a general hospital. Direct control over it exists because it is the Japanese Red Cross Society's main hospital. Horita Binakamori's mansion used to stand where the medical center in Hiroo, Tokyo, currently stands.

On the present location, the Japanese Red Cross Hospital was constructed in 1891 as its predecessor. With a circumference of at least 4.7 meters, the 500-year-old ginkgo tree in front of the bus stop is the biggest in the area and has been recognized as a Shibuya-ku natural monument. The Empress has held the position of Honorary Governor since 1949.

10. Nagoya University Hospital

Address: 466-8560 Aichi, Nagoya, Showa Ward, Tsurumaicho

Phone: +81 52-741-2111

Website: med.nagoya-u.ac.jp

In addition to offering everyone safe, cutting-edge medical care, Nagoya University Hospital is a regional core hospital that also produces highly skilled medical personnel. They disseminate cutting edge information so that everyone can receive accessible, safe healthcare.

In order to prepare medical professionals with strong ethical principles and public trust, they also offer comprehensive medical education.

Conclusion

For foreigners, navigating the Japanese hospital system can be quite challenging. With any luck, the above list will assist you in locating Japan's top hospitals for both locals and foreign visitors.

There are English-speaking staff members at each of those hospitals. You can feel totally secure receiving treatment at well-known Japanese hospitals because many of them are highly ranked on the international map.