Tokyo - Post Report Question and Answers
Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care seems good and inexpensive compared to USA. If you are hospitalized you will be there a lot longer than you would stay at a hospital in the USA. What might be one day in the US would be three days here. - Jan 2024
The health unit at the Embassy is a good starting point. There is an American doctor on the local staff at the Embassy and he is really good, well loved and, since he lives locally, very knowledgable about the Japanese system. Our family had several types of specialists appointments and always found excellent care. It helps if you have some Japanese. Some aspects of the Japanese system are still quite traditional, but overall, there are no major issues with accessing quality, modern care. Medicines are readily available at a fraction of the US price. - Nov 2020
We have a med unit with mostly good personnel. They tend to send you out for a lot of minor things. They also do not help on nights/weekends and pretty much leave you to deal with the recommended English-speaking emergency room in which they don't actually speak English (based on experience and stories) and don't tend to follow up even if they know you sought other medical care. The nurses have been good for kid appointments. - Jun 2018
Health care is excellent. One caveat is that Japanese doctors who are not used to Western patients can get offended by our tendency to question processes. The norm here is for people to accept what the doctor says completely and without comment. There are a lot of options for medical professionals available. We don't have to worry about being part of the national insurance program, but if you are here on a non-diplomatic assignment there is a lot involved so do your research. - Mar 2018
I do not trust the local government to be honest about post-Fukushima meltdown radiation. - Mar 2017
No concerns; care is good. - Feb 2014
None There is great medical care in Japan. - Apr 2013
Great medical care, no real health concerns that i know of. - Oct 2008
None. English speaking medical care is widely available, many providers are American-trained. - Jan 2008
