Overview

• Under proposals for the annual economic and fiscal policy review, all foreign visitors would need to secure private health insurance before traveling to Japan.
• The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare would share records of major unpaid medical debts with the Immigration Services Agency to bolster entry and exit checks.
• A nationwide survey found that 11,372 foreign nationals received treatment in September 2024, with about 0.8 percent leaving hospitals owing roughly ¥61.35 million.
• Data from the Japan Tourism Agency show nearly 30 percent of visitors between October 2023 and February 2024 had no medical coverage during their stay.
• Officials are also considering measures to prevent foreign residents from defaulting on national health insurance premium payments.