Health Matters

Insurance

Nobody likes to talk about getting sick, but when the time comes and you do get sick, make sure you don’t wait to get treatment. After all, you’re paying a big chunk of your salary every month for health insurance.

Your health insurance card: DON’T leave home without it! It’s really difficult to get treatment without having this with you when you go to the doctor (ESPECIALLY outside of the prefecture!), so carry it with you!! When you use your card you pay only 10% of the actual bill. Remember to give the card to the receptionist when you register to avoid confusion.

Insurance does not cover the following procedures: induced abortion (except for medical reasons), immunization, cosmetic surgery, orthodontics, voluntary health check-ups, pregnancy, and childbirth expenses. Also, some clinics catering to the foreign community do not accept Japanese health insurance: check ahead of time. If you are injured by another party (e.g., if someone hits you with a car), that person’s insurance will cover all medical expenses.

Medical and dental care

Health care professionals

Most doctors study English and German, so don’t hesitate to go local (ask friends or colleagues where they go). In addition, the following are specialists who are recommended for ability and personability as well as English. For more information, call NIFS or AMDA.

General PracticeDermatologyGynecology Dermatologists Nara-shi Dr. Sachiko Miyagawa 0742-71-5315

(in Takanohara)

Kashihara-shi Dr. Tanaka 07442-4-2072

(speaks many languages!)

Gynecologists Tawaramoto Dr. Hisa 07443-3-3110

Nara-shi Female ObGyns Tanaka and Tamaki rotate between the following two clinics, call for details:

Heiwakai Narayama Clinic 0742-71-1000

(in Takanohara)

Yoshida Clinic 0742-45-4601

(in Saidaiji)

Oji-cho Dr. Hayashi 0745-73-3301

Dentists Osaka-shi Dr. Chang Chee Keong 06-338-3212

Gose-shi Dr. Ueda 07456-2-6475

NOTE: If you hear of any other doctors, please tell us so that we can put them in the next Handbook!

Medical Questionnaire

If you have to go to the hospital, and can’t make it to an English-speaking doctor, please refer to the four-page questionnaire in the appendix. You might consider making copies and keeping them at school and at home as well. If you have a medical condition or take medication, take a minute and a dictionary and write the information down on the forms NOW so that in an emergency there’ll be no problems.

NOTE: volunteer English Goodwill Guides (EGG) and Student Goodwill Guides (SGG) can also help translate at medical offices. Contact the Nara Travel Info Center (TIC) for information (see Nara City section).

AMDA International Medical Info Center, Kansai

AMDA (Association of Medical Doctors for Asia) is an international NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) which has a service providing foreigners in Japan with medical information. The Center is staffed with specialists in Japanese medical and welfare systems, as well as interpreters. They will introduce you to medical facilities and doctors who understand your language and give you explanations about the medical system here. NOTE: Info only via telephone and fax.

Mon - Fri 10:00 - 16:00 Tel. 06-636-2333 Fax 06-63602340 Languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, Korean, Nepali, Hindi, Portuguese, Filipino (Tagalog) German, French, Russian (Language availability depends on day of the week)

Medical Information Service (free)

  • Introduction to medical facilities and practitioners

  • Explanation of Japanese medical system. TEL. 03-5285-8181. M-F 9-5

  • Emergency Interpretation Service (for medical institutions). TEL. 03-5285-8185. M-F 5-10pm, Sat-Sun-hols 9am-10pm

Put copies of these numbers in your insurance card!!