Chapter 7
Health93

7 HealthIn Japan, there are health insurance systems that help to reduce the cost of medical care. Foreign
nationals living in Japan for more than three months are required to join one of the following
insurance systems:●Employees’ Health Insurance (generally covers individuals who are employed by a company)●National Health Insurance (covers individuals who are not eligible to join employees’ healthinsurance) In addition, insurance is provided by mutual aid associations to those who work for
public schools or the government.
Most international students are required to enroll in National Health Insurance unless they arecovered by the Employees’ Health Insurance of a family member who lives and works in Japan.

7-1 National Health Insurance (NHI or Kokuho)
国民健康保険（Kokumin Kenko

Hoken）

National Health Insurance (NHI)—kokumin kenko hoken, often
abbreviated as Kokuho in Japanese—is a health insurance system in

National HealthJapan that allows the insured to receive medical care without financial

Insurance

concern when ill or injured by splitting the medical care expenses
between the local or national government and the insured.
With NHI, approximately 70% of your medical expenses will be covered

Please refer
to 3-2 for
National
HealthInsurance

when you receive treatment at hospitals or clinics that are NHI medical
service providers (most hospitals in Japan accept NHI). You pay theremaining 30% of the costs.
Please note that National Health Insurance does not cover expenses forcosmetic surgery, orthodontics, or normal childbirth.

94

National Health Insurance Benefits
When you get sick or injured, you can receive the following medicalcare for only a part of the medical costs by presenting your NHI card
at the reception of medical institutions:
・Medical consultation
・Medical treatment
・Medication, injections, and other treatments
・Hospitalization and nursing (excluding meals while hospitalized)
・Home care (home-visit by a regular doctor) and nursing
・Home-visit nursing (if a doctor judges it necessary)
You are still able to receive NHI benefits when you are injured due toan act by a third party, such as a traffic accident. However, if you
receive medical expenses from the person who caused the accident
or settle it out of court, you may not receive NHI benefits. If you
sustain damage, be sure to consult the NHI office.
In the circumstances described below, you will be required to bear thefull amount temporarily, but after an application is made at the NHI
counter and a decision is made through screening, you may bereimbursed for the amount excluding your co-payment.
1) Medical treatment you received without your NHI card because ofan unforeseeable accident or illness
2) Cost of a corset or other prosthetic devices (applicable only if a
doctor presents a diagnosis as necessary)3) Treatment for a broken bone or sprain received from a Judo
Therapist who does not accept NHI

954) Cost of blood from a blood transfusion used in a surgicaloperation, etc. (applicable only if a doctor presents a diagnosis asnecessary)5) Cost of acupuncture, moxibustion, massage, and other treatment(applicable only if a doctor presents a diagnosis as necessary)6) Medical treatment you received while you were traveling overseas(excluding travel for treatment purpose)967-2 Keio Student Health Care Mutual Aid Association(Gakuseikenpo)
The Keio Student Health Care Mutual Aid Association (hereafter"Gakuseikenpo") is a mutual aid organization established with the aim

学生健康保険互助組合

of supporting student life from a health perspective.

（学生健保）（Gakusei

The Gakuseikenpo will reimburse a portion of the co-payment of amember’s medical expenses when they receive treatment at a medical
institution upon presenting a health insurance card.

Kenpo）
Keio Studentl Hea;tj
Care Mutual Aid
Association

Regular undergraduate and graduate students at Keio University are
eligible to apply for a partial reimbursement of medical expenses.
All types of treatment (hospitalization, outpatient treatment,
treatment at a pharmacy, and treatment at a clinic) within the samemonth are combined and considered as a single instance of copayment.
The application must be completed online.
Dental treatments are not covered by the medical care benefit system(excluding oral and maxillofacial surgery).
Amount borne by patient: 2,000 JPY instance of co-payment.
Reimbursement limit: 50,000 JPY per application. 150,000 JPY perperson per year.

Guidebook for the
Keio Student HealthCare Mutual Aid
Association

For more information, please access the link for the guidebook on theright column.
Please Note: Japanese Language Program students, Keio International
Program students, research students, and other non-degree students
are not members of the Keio Student Health Care Mutual Aid
Association, and are therefore not eligible for this insurance coverage.

https://www.students.kei
o.ac.jp/com/life/health/fi
les/en_tebiki.pdf

97

7-3 Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education
and Research (“Gakkensai”) / Liability Insurance coupled with
“Gakkensai” (“Gakkenbai”)
学生教育研究災害傷害保険（学研災）（Gakkensai）
Personal Accident
Insurance for Students
Pursuing Education andResearch

Keio University is a member of Japan Educational Exchanges andServices (JEES), and through it, Keio SFC pays for “Personal Accident
Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research,” and“Liability Insurance coupled with Gakkensai” insurance plans thatcover students who suffer physical injury from an unexpected accident
or bear legal liability for damages arising from inflicting injuries tothird parties in the course of their educational and research activities.
This insurance is for regular undergraduate and graduate students,
research students, short-term international students (MEXT
scholarship students and designated exchange students only),
Japanese Language Program students, and Keio International
Program students.
“Educational and research activities” means regular curricular activities
on- and off-campus, participation in university events, andextracurricular activities (advance submission of “Notification of Offcampus Student Activities” to the university is required for off-campus
activities).

Student Liability
Insurance
学研災付帯賠償責任保険(Gakkenbai)
Student Liability
Insurance is
supplementary to

Gakkensai. It offers
coverage against
injuries caused to athird party or
damages made toproperty of anotherperson.

98

Accidents that occur on the way between a student’s residence andthe university, or while traveling between university facilities, are also
covered.
However, cases related to "illness” are not covered by this insurance.
In addition, depending on the number of hospital visits it takes torecover, you may not qualify for this insurance.
Making an Insurance Claim Following an Accident
1. Notify the Student Life Section at SFC in the Alpha Building, of theaccident: After contacting the Student Life Section, the student
must fill in and submit an accident notification.
*The student must submit the notification within thirty days of theaccident to the Claims Service Division of Tokio Marine Nichido(property/casualty insurance company) using one of the following
methods:

(1) Accident Notification System【PC/Smartphone】 (Only available in Japanese)【Cell Phone】 (Only available in Japanese)

Accident Notification
SystemPC /Smartphone Page

(2) FAX 03-3285-0105
The fax form can be downloaded from the URL below. (Onlyavailable in Japanese)(3) Accident Notification Card
Please collect the card from the Student Life Section at SFC.

{Treatment and after completion of treatment}

https://f.msgs.jp/webap
p/form/15429_lvw_1/ind
ex.do

Cell Phone Page

2. Completion of insurance claim request: The student obtains andcompletes the required items on an “Insurance Claim Request”
form from the Student Life Section at SFC and obtains thehttps://f.msgs.jp/webap

university seal on the form. A medical certificate from a physician

p/form/15429_lvw_4/ind

may be required, depending on the amount requested in theex.doinsurance claim.

3. The student sends the form to the insurance company.

Fax Form

4. Receipt of payment of insurance claim: The insurance company
deposits payment of the insurance claim in a designated bankaccount.
Submission of “Notification of Off-campus Student Activities”

http://www.jees.or.jp/ga
kkensai/docs/publish/01
Tokyo.pdf“Notification of Off-campus Student Activities” must be submitted foran activity to be recognized as an activity for which the university hasreceived notification. For activities taking place in non-university
facilities, the student must submit this form at least 4 days prior to theactivity. Please apply via the Keio.jp portal.

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7-4 Medical Consultations in Various languages
NPO AMDAInternational Medical
Information Center

The following associations offer medical consultations in various
languages.
NPO AMDA International Medical Information Center
English/Chinese/Korean/Thai/Spanish/Portuguese/Tagalog/Vietname
se03-6233-9266 （10:00–15:00）

https://www.amdamedic
alcenter.com/*No service on public holidays and Dec. 29–Jan. 3
The AMDA Center offers free medical consultations over the
telephone in eight languages. Multilingual staff offer information

Medical information

about medical institutions, explain the Japanese health care system,net (NABII)

and offer free interpreting services over the phone duringconsultations with medical professionals.

Medical information net (NABII)
https://www.iryou.teikyo
useido.mhlw.go.jp/znk-

This website offers a search system to find a medical institution and tofind a pharmacy in the whole country. (English/Chinese/Korean)

web/juminkanja/S2300/i
nitialize

Search for Medical Institutions (Japan National Tourism
Organization)
Search for Medical
Institutions

English/Chinese/KoreanThis website offers a search system for medical institutions in multiple
languages.

https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide
.html

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7-5 Medical Treatment on Campus
Wellness Center (weekdays, 9:00–17:30)
Students at SFC may receive medical treatment and counseling at the

Wellness Center

Wellness Center located on the second floor of the Alpha building.

Ext 52201 or 52207
or 0466-49-3411

The Wellness Center was established to improve the physical andmental health of students, faculty members, and the administrative
staff at Keio University SFC. It is equipped to handle temporary
conditions like colds and coughs as well as chronic conditions like
hypertension. Physicians, nurses, and public health nurses are available
for examination, medication, and treatment (including first aid).
Counseling on academic, career, personal, and social issues is alsoavailable.
SFC Clinic

Contact the Wellness Center at extension 52201 or 52207, or0466-49-3411).

Medical consultation and counseling are available in English.
Shonan Fujisawa Clinic (weekdays)
Medical checkup is available during Mondays and Fridays.
Shonan Fujisawa Clinic is located inside the Wellness Center.

http://www.hcc.keio.ac.j
p/en/clinic/sfcschedule.html

101Student Counseling RoomAt the Wellness Center, experienced clinical psychologists areavailable for counseling services for students. This service is a valuable
resource at SFC to promote better mental well-being, a fulfilling
university life, and personal development. Do not hesitate to seek theirsupport. Feel free to consult on anything that relates to student life,
including your studies, relationships, career, and future plans.
gakuseisoudan@sfc.keio.ac.jp

English-speaking counselors are available. We strictly protect theconfidentiality of information shared during counseling sessions.
Without your consent, we will not disclose to other people any private
information that you share. This includes your family, friends, or faculty

0466-49-3411

members. The information shared during the session will in no way
affect your academic record.
Please inquire at the Wellness Center. You can also make an
appointment by phone or email.
Payment
If you receive medical treatment at one of Keio’s clinics, half of thecost of treatment and medication will be paid by the Keio Student
Health Care Mutual Aid Association. You are responsible for theremaining amount.
● Research Students, JLP Students, KIP Students, and Short-term
International Students will be required to pay all medical fees.
● The counseling service will be offered free of charge.

Security Staff
extension 52190 orDuring Night Time, Holidays, and Outside of Wellness Center

52191 orOffice Hours

0466-47-5114

Call the Security (extension 52190 or 52191, or 0466-47-5114).
Security staff will handle the following procedures; make calls for theambulance, lead the ambulance to where the patient is located, checkand keep a record of the patient’s ID, call the police if necessary, andprovide basic first-aid.

102

Annual Health Checkup
Every year the Health Center/Clinic carries out annual health checkups
free of charge. The date of your checkup will depend on your facultyor graduate school, year, and gender. Please check the date on the
Keio University Students Website. Please note that you can only takethis health checkup on the designated date.
Students taking the checkup can print out a Certificate of Annual
Health Examination from the certificate issuing machines (300 JPY percopy) throughout the academic year.

103

7-6 Hospitals/Clinics
病院(byouin) hospitals
クリニック（kuriniku）
clinics

内科(naika)internal medicine

Which Institution to Visit
Medical institutions in Japan are divided into:
Large hospitals●

University-affiliated hospitals●

Public hospitals operated by prefecture or city●

Large private hospitals

Small clinics●

Local clinics

外科(geka)surgery
心療内科(shinryo-

naika)psychosomaticinternal medicine
眼科(ganka)
ophthalmology, eye

Large hospitals are equipped with hospitalization facilities andcheckup tools. National and public hospitals maintain high level
medical systems for each of their specialized medical departments. At
hospitals with up to 200 beds or more, patients may be charged extra
fees (2,500 JPY-5,000 JPY) unless they visit with a referral by a doctor.
Also, walk-in patients usually have to wait quite a long time (almost aclinicfull day) before being able to see a doctor.

耳鼻科(jibika)

Small clinics are medical institutions with hospitalization facilities ofotorhinolaryngology(OR19 beds or fewer. Many of them have no hospitalization facilities at all.

L)

They are suitable for minor conditions.

歯科(shika)dentistry

It is advised to visit a clinic (doctor’s office) first and further receive
specialized treatment at a large hospital upon necessity.

皮膚科(hifuka)
dermatology
泌尿器科(hinyokika)
urology

婦人科(fujinka)
obstetrics andgynecology department

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Which Department to Choose
If you have an idea of what is wrong, you can select the specialist clinicthat is best suited to your needs. However, most people will go to a
general clinic for what’s called “Internal Medicine” (内科/naika,) whichacts kind of like a General Practitioner.

Contact Lenses/Prescription Glasses
You can buy prescription glasses without visiting an eye doctor. Most
glasses shops give you a free eye examination.

HIV Testing and
HIV/AIS Counseling

However, shops do not sell you contact lenses without a prescription

Mapissued by an ophthalmologist. When you buy disposable contactlenses, you need to visit an ophthalmologist every 3 months to renew
the prescription. It applies to online shopping as well.
HIV Testing and HIV/AIDS Counselinghttps://www.hivkensa.com/language/en

In Japan, some public health centers nationwide offer free,anonymous HIV testing and counseling.
Languages
Outside of Tokyo, it might be difficult to find hospitals/clinics withEnglish-speaking staff. It is recommended to go with a person who
speaks Japanese for communication support. If your illness is notImportant Medical
Information◻
◻
◻

urgent or serious, you can ask a university staff from the Office of◻

International Affairs at SFC for assistance.

◻
◻
◻
◻

Most doctors usually can read/write English, so bringing notes about
your own medical information in English might help.

Multilingual Medical Questionnaire

Name
Blood typeAny illnesses
currently being
treatedAny medicines you
are taking
Allergies
Medical history
Your religion
Emergency contact
information

Multilingual Medical
Questionnaire

The website on the right column was produced by the Specified
Nonprofit Corporation to help people from overseas explain thecondition of injuries and symptoms of illness to doctors and othermedical personnel.
http://www.kifjp.org/me
dical/

105

What to Bring to a
Hospital/Clinic






Health insurance
card
Notes with your
medicalinformation
Cash (3,000 JPY~)
Medicine you are
now taking (ifany)

Examination Procedure① Make an appointment
If you go and see a doctor without an appointment, you may haveto wait for a long period of time. Some small clinics don’t takereservations and see patients on a first-come-first- served basis.
Please try to arrive at least 10 minutes before their opening time to
reduce your waiting time.
Usually, opening hours are 9:00-11:30 / 15:00-17:30.
Hand in your national health insurance card and your note at thereceptionist.

Some clinics refuse examinations without aninsurance card. While they are taking a photocopy of your health
診察券(shinsatsu-ken)a patient’s card
処方箋(shohosen)a prescrption
処方箋薬局(shohosen
yakkyoku)
prescription
pharmacies

insurance card, you are requested to fill in their medical
questionnaire.
② When your name or number has been called, go into theexamination room to see the doctor.
③ You may be asked to take extra tests such as X-ray, blood analysis,
urine analysis, or/and ECG (electro-cardiogram) per doctors’
instructions.
④ After the doctor has examined your condition, you will return to thewaiting room to be called for the payment. Most small clinics only
take cash.

You can use your My
Number Card as
your insurance card
Some hospitals andpharmacies accept
My Number Cards as
insurance cards. You
must register via theInternet (at Myna
Portal) before using
this service.

⑤ When you settle your bill at the cashier (usually at the same
reception desk), you will receive a patient’s card (shinsatsu ken) anda prescription (shohosen).
A patient’s card is used as a membership card and it helps clinics
find your medical record at your next visit.
*A few clinics have in-house prescription systems. At those clinics,
you will receive your medicine after your payment.
⑥ Take your prescription to a designated pharmacy or a drugstore toreceive your medicine. You will need to pay for the medicine
separately. Please be aware that prescriptions are normally valid
only for 3 to 4 days after issuance.

106Medication
At the pharmacy/drug store, you may be asked if you prefer genericdrugs (後発医薬品 kohatsu iyakuhin), which are interchangeable with

後発医薬品・ジェネリ

the original proprietary drugs. As they both have the same activeック(kohatsu iyaku hin)pharmaceuticalgeneric drugs

ingredients,

dosageforms,

strength,quality,indications, effects, directions, and dosage. Generic drugs are usuallyless expensive than the original drugs because the developmental
cost is lower.
Doctors will usually prescribe medicine which is covered by yourinsurance and with which local pharmacies are supplied. You may findyourself going home with a bag full of medications just for three days.
If the doctor does not explain the efficacy of each medicine do not be
afraid to ask for clarification about the medication and what it is for.

Over-the-Counter Medicine (OTC)
You can buy non-prescription medicine at drugstores frompharmacists without visiting hospitals/clinics. If you experience a cold,headache, stomach issues, or get wounded, OTC (over-the-counter)medicine can be purchased at drugstores or large supermarkets.

1077-7 Medical Institutions Nearby for International Students
Fujisawa Zengyo
Family Clinic

The following hospitals/clinics near SFC offer treatment in languages

other than Japanese.
Fujisawa Zengyo Family Clinic
7-4-9 Zengyo, Fujisawa-city
Medical treatment in English is available
TEL 0466-80-5815

https://www.fzfc.jp/

6 km away from SFC

KobayashiInternational Clinic

Kobayashi International Clinic
3-5-6-110 Tsuruma, Yamato-city
Medical treatment in English, Korean, Filipino, Thai, Spanish, and Vietnamese
available. Schedule differs by language, so please check the website.
http://5884-international-clinic.com/ (Japanese language only)
TEL 046-263-1380

http://5884international-clinic.com/

Fujisawa City Hospital

13 km away from SFC

Fujisawa City Hospital(Emergency hospital)
2-6-1 Fujisawa, Fujisawa-city
Possible to request a volunteer interpreter for Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese,
English, French, and Italian. Appointment is necessary. This hospital accepts
new patients by referral. New patients without a referral will be charged
5,500 JPY~. Please note that referrals can be obtained at the Health Center

https://www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp/hospital/in
dex.html
Shonan Keiiku Hospitalon campus. (Medical examination fee will be charged).
TEL 0466-25-3111
7.7 km away from SFC

Shonan Keiiku Hospital
4360 Endo, Fujisawa-city
Possible to request an English-speaking staff to assist you. Please book yourvisit beforehand.

https://keiiku.gr.jp/

TEL 0466-48-0050（8:30-17:00）
200m away from SFC

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7-8 Pregnancy and Delivery
This is a procedure in case of pregnancy and delivery.
Registration of Pregnancy at your city/ward office
Receive Maternal and Child Health Handbook and free coupons for
hospital visits
Choose and reserve the hospital of delivery

妊娠届(ninshin-todoke)Pregnancy
Notification Form
母子手帳(boshi-techo)
Maternal and Child
Health Handbook

Contact your embassy and find out the procedure for obtaining a
passport for your baby.
Visit the hospital regularly
Delivery
Claim for Birth Allowance Money
In case you have a Caesarean section, you can apply for “Highcost Medical Expense Benefit” (高額療法制度).

Birth Allowance
420,000 yen per a child(Contact the National Health Insurance department of yourcity/ward office)Register with the City/Ward office
Receive your child’s birth certificate

出生届(shusseitodoke)/出生届記載事項証明書(shusseitodoke kisai jikoshoumeisho)

Register with the Immigration Bureau and your embassy

birth certificate

Apply for a passport109

7-9 Mental Health
Mental HealthMany aspects of university life have the potential to cause stress,
Wellness Center
Student CounselingRoomincluding adjusting to a new living environment, fulfilling academic
requirements, developing friendships, and preparing for and taking
exams.
If you feel persistently unhappy or that you can no longer cope withthe stress caused by everyday life, talking to someone such as a

gakuseisoudan@sfc.keio.ac.jp

0466-49-3411

Japan Helpline
toll free: 0120-46-1997
or 0570 000 911
team@jhelp.com

friend, counselor, staff, or faculty member about your anxiety may
help you feel relieved.
Whether about academics or your future, regarding relationships withfamily, friends or significant others, or concerning anxieties of ageneral nature, please feel free to visit the Wellness Center Student
Counseling Room. Counselors there will listen to your problems
regarding any aspect of your student life and strict confidentiality will
be maintained. For more information on appointments and inquiries,
please contact the Wellness Center.
List of Helplines
If you wish to talk to someone outside of university or need someone

Tell Lifeline

to talk outside of office hours, please do not hesitate to use one of
the services below;
Japan Helpline
Japan Helpline is Japan's 24-hour non-profit, nationwide emergency

http://telljp.com/lifeline/
TEL: 03-5774-0992

assistance service. Whether it is an earthquake, a toothache in the
middle of the night, or you feel depressed, Japan Helpline offers a 24hour, nationwide assistance service for the international community.

Saturday 09:00 –Monday 23:00

Tell Lifeline(Continuous service)

Tell Lifeline is a free, confidential telephone counseling service,

Tuesday – Thursday
09:00 – 23:00
Friday 09:00 – 02:00

110

offering anonymous, non-judgmental, and caring support for teens,
students, and adults in English.