Tokyo, June 4 — Japan is set to implement stricter measures to tackle unpaid medical bills from foreigners, as part of the upcoming “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform.” This includes reviewing the insurance system for foreign residents and requiring private health insurance for tourists.
The government plans to strengthen information-sharing between the Ministry of Health and Immigration Services regarding foreign nationals with significant unpaid medical costs, potentially lowering the current threshold of ¥200,000. Foreign residents staying over three months must enroll in the National Health Insurance system, and new policies will enhance coordination between insurance and immigration authorities.
Additionally, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party is urging mandatory private medical insurance for all foreign visitors before entering Japan, along with adjustments to the unpaid bill threshold. These measures aim to alleviate the financial burden on medical institutions caused by unpaid treatment costs.