In the Japanese health care system the National and local governments offer healthcare services, involving free screening examinations for particular diseases, prenatal care, and infectious disease control.

Payment for personal medical services is provided through a universal health care insurance system that offers relative equality of access, with fees set by a government committee.

People without insurance through employers can take part in a national health insurance program administered by local governments. Since 1973, all elderly persons have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. Patients are free to select physicians or facilities of their choice.

Japan has serious standards of health and hygiene, and there are no relevant diseases worth worrying about. No compulsory immunizations or health certificates are needed to enter the country.

Medical treatment and drugs

Medical treatment and drugs are of a high quality, but these are expensive, so (if possible) you could bring any medicines you could need with you, especially prescription drugs. Also bring a copy of your prescription and make sure you know what the generic name of the drug is, rather than its brand name. Some popular drugs extensively available throughout the US and Europe are usually not available in Japan. The contraceptive pill is available, but only on prescription.

Other cares

Although there are many mosquitoes across Japan in the warmer months, malaria is not endemic, so there's no essential to take any tablets. It's a good plan to pack mosquito repellent, however, and to burn coils in your room at night, or to use a plug-in repellent.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout Japan, but you should avoid drinking directly from streams or rivers. It's also not a good idea to walk barefoot through flooded paddy fields, due to the danger of water-borne parasites. Food-wise, you should have no fears about eating raw seafood or seafish, including the notorious fugu (globe fish). However, raw meat and river fish are best avoided.

Emergency number

Hopefully it will never happen to you, but if you do have an emergency, it can get get quite confusing in Japan, given the variety of numbers to call. Then on top of that is the language barrier. Most emergency numbers can handle English calls but the operator’s English skill probably won’t be that great. They’ll be nervous about speaking English, especially in an emergency situation, so speak slowly and clearly and try to keep calm.

The emergency number is NOT 9-1-1, like it is in North America.
It’s the reverse: 1-1-9. Kind of a neat way of remembering it. You’re on the other side of the world, so the emergency number is reversed.

This number is only applicable for fire and ambulance services. To get the Police, the number is 110.