For safe travels in Japan

Guidebook for when
you are feeling ill
Editorial supervisor:
Taro Kondo (Vice Chairman of the Tokyo Medical Association)
Masami Ishii (Executive Director of the Japan Medical Association)
Satoshi Kamayachi (Executive Director of the Japan Medical Association)

Guide for using medical institutions

We want visitors to Japan to enjoy their stay here.
Sometimes, an unexpected illness or injury occurs.
To prepare for this,we have created a guidebook to help you
receive medical care in Japan.
Please keep it handy in your bag
when going out.

Contents
Types of medical institutions in Japan . . . . . . . . . 3
If you need doctors’ assistance . . . . . . . . . 4
How to use medical institutions and important points . . . . . . . . . 5
How to use an emergency care hospital . . . . . . . . . 6
Personal information concerning medical care to write down . . . . . . . . . 7
Page for pointing to symptoms and their descriptions . . . . . . . . . 8
Safety advice . . . . . . . . . 10

2

Types of medical institutions in JapanThe type of medical institution you need differs between time ofuse, if it is an emergency, and with the level of severity.

 Visit a clinic or general hospitalduring regular hours.
 Otherwise, go to after-hours
reception (varies by region).

If you needdoctors’
assistance.

See the list on p. 4 for medical
institutions that are well-preparedto accommodate foreigners.

p p

P. 4P. 5

Ú Accepts emergency care patients. Available
24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Emergency
hospitalpP. 6

 Nearby pharmacy
 DrugstoreÚ Consult a pharmacist, if possible.
Ú Some types of medicines cannot
be purchased at night when thepharmacist is not there.

If you do notneed doctors’
assistance.

3

If you need doctors’ assistanceAccessing
medical institutions
Front desk or
concierge at a hotel
Describe your symptoms
for referral to a medical
institution.

*1
Tourist Information
CenterReceive a referral toa nearby medicalinstitution.

International Travel
Medical Insurance
If you have international
travel medical insurance,
the staff can contact
the insurance company*2 and refer you to a
medical institution.

Useful medical
information websites

List of medical institutions that accept
overseas visitors
List of medical institutions around Japan that are
well-prepared to accommodate foreign patients.
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/essential/
emergency/mi_guide.html#search

Medical Information Internet
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare system for each prefecture toshare medical care information.
http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/policy/health-medical/medical-care/
info_hpspitals.html
Ú Websites for all prefectures are open to the public, but some are only inJapanese.

Primary symptoms
Fever, sore throat, cough, runny nose
HeadacheDiagnosis and treatment departmentsInternal Medicine
Internal Medicine, Neurosurgery
Cardiovascular Internal Medicine, Respiratory
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine, GastroenterologicalMedicine, Obstetrics & Gynecology
Internal Medicine, Gastroenterological Medicine
Internal Medicine, Gastroenterological Medicine
Surgery, Plastic Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, Surgery
Dermatology
Otorhinolaryngology, Neurology
Otorhinolaryngology
Pediatrics
Oral Health

Chest pain
Abdominal pain
Bloody vomit or stool
Diarrhea
Injury, wound
Bone fracture, joint pain
Burns
Eczema/Hives
Dizziness/Tinnitus
Ears, nose, or throat
Children’s illnessesToothaches
Difficulty urinating, bloody urine, pain whenurinating
During pregnancy (abdominal pain or bloating,spotting, water breakage, concerns about thebaby)
In emergencies
Unsure what department to visit

Urology
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Emergency Medicine
General Diagnosis and Treatment

4How to use medical institutions and important points
Procedurefrom hospital reception
to payment

Important
The medical care system varies bycountry. Avoid difficulties bylearning about them in advance.
Ask for a general estimate of thetreatment cost at reception.

ReceptionÚ There is a limited number of
medical institutions that canaccommodate other languages.

Fill out medical sheet.

1 Be sure to listen carefully
to the explanation of theexamination results.
Receive doctor
examination andtreatment, andreceive a prescription. 1

Complete payment. 2

2 Payment here is the costfor treatment received up to thispoint. Keep in mind thatpayment by credit card is only
accepted at major hospitals.
Clinics generally accept cashonly.
With cash-free international travel medical
insurance, no payments are necessary.
Note: The cash-free conditions vary byinsurance company. Please check beforehand.

Submit prescription
to pharmacy andpurchase medications. 3

53 You will be charged
separately at the pharmacy forany medicine you need. Some
medical institutions provide
in-house prescriptions.

How to use an emergency care hospital
Ambulance
Call 119

If you need an ambulance, show the sentence below to a nearby
Japanese person so they will call one for you.

Be transported to anemergency care
hospital in the event ofa traffic accident orother emergency.

(Please call an ambulance.)

Procedure from arrival of the ambulance
Transportto thehospital

Ambulance
arrivalTreatment

Billpayment

Returnhome

Hospital
Admission
Important
You cannot choose what hospital you
will be brought to. Depending on yourcondition, you may be given treatment
without questioning, so it is importantto fill out p. 7.

*3

AED
There is a device that can be used if someone has heart
problems and collapses while out of the home. This device iscalled an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). When actuallyusing the device, you find illustrated instructions inside theAED package after you open it, so follow those instructions.
Many airports and other public facilities have AEDs.

6

Personal information concerning medical care to write down

GenderName

Male/Female
Age

Date of birthyears old

Are you currently in treatment for any illnesses? (Yes / No)

Are you currently taking any medications? (Yes / No)

Are you pregnant? [Yes / No]
Past illnesses

Allergies to medications, foods, insects (e.g. bees), animals, otherÛPlease use specifics.

What is your language of preference?
Do you practice a particular religion?

7

Page for pointing to symptoms and their descriptions.

How to use this page.

Describe your condition and its severity.

I have a headache.

Very severeMy ear hurts.

I have a headache.

I cannot hear well.
My ears are ringing.
*4*5
I have a fever.

My mouth hurts.
My tongue hurts.
My taste is dull.

*6

I have a toothache.

I feel dizzy.

My gums hurt.

*7*8

I have a pain in my abdomen.

My neck is stiff.

I have a stomachache.

My neck hurts.

I have diarrhea.

My neck is swollen.

My eye hurts.

My lower back hurts.

I cannot see well.

My legs are numb.

My eyes are itchy.
I have a sore throat.

My knee hurts.

I have lost my voice.

I cannot bend my knees.

I cough up phlegm.

I have a cough.

I cannot walk.

8

Please indicate the severity of your pain or symptoms.

Tolerable

Very severe

I have a runny nose.

I have difficulty breathing.

I am out of breath.

I have a nosebleed.

I am wheezing (lightly).

I am sneezing.

I am wheezing (heavily).

*9

My chest hurts.

I am having irregular bleeding.

I am having chest palpitations.

I have a pain in my abdomen.

My pulse is irregular.

I have a rash (in one place).

My baby won't stop crying.

I have a rash (all over).

My baby threw up.

I am very itchy.

My baby has a fever.

I have hives.

My baby won't eat.
My baby is listless.

*10

*11
I have a pain in my abdomen.

There is blood in my urine.

I am bloated.

I have difficulty urinating.

I have vaginal bleeding.

I have to urinate frequently.

I am leaking water.

Urinating is painful.

I worry about the baby.

I injured myself.

I was in a traffic accident.

I cut myself.

I fell down.

I pricked myself.

I bumped against something.

I burned myself.

I fell.

I was stung/bitten by an insect.

9Safety Advice
Useful websites for natural disasters

AndroidiPhoneThis is a push notifications appthat gives you notices in English
when there is an Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) ortsunami warning in Japan. It has various functions toassist foreign tourists and people from othercountries living in Japan in the event of a disaster.

Safety tips

Download URL
Android https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=jp.co.rcsc.safetyTips.android

iPhonehttps://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/safety-tips/id858357174?mt=8

Earthquake early warnings
Earthquakes are common in Japan, and the Japan Meteorological Agency gives anearthquake early warning before strong shaking from an earthquake is expected.
This is a unique system in Japan. Immediately after an earthquake occurs, theseismic intensity of strong shaking in each area is predicted and warnings arebroadcast as soon as
possible on TV, radio,
mobile phones, andother media to informpeople. If you see orProtect
Step away from
Step away fromBeware fallinghear an earthquake early
your head.
furniture.
walls.
objects.
warning, stay calm andensure your safety. Also,
if you are in trouble, go
to a police box.
Do not rushoutside.

Get off at thenearest floor.

Do not brakesuddenly.

Put on your hazard
lights and slow down.

Ú Pictogram of earthquake early warning.
Made by the Earthquake Early Warning
Users’ Association.

Major earthquakes are sometimes followed by a tsunami (seismic wave). About 3 minutes after an earthquake hasoccurred, the Japan Meteorological Agency may issue a major tsunami warning, tsunami warning, or tsunami advisory.
If a tsunami warning or advisory is issued, immediately retreat to safe, elevated evacuation places away from the coast.

Pictogram: p.4 *1 Japan Tourism Agency p.6 *3 Japan Foundation for Emergency Medicine
P4-P9 *2, *4, *5, *6, *7, *8, *9, *10, *11 OriginalOther from JIS T0103:2005 (the pictures may depict a different meaning than the original meaning.)※なお、「指さし」、「指さし会話帳」、「接客指さし会話」については、株式会社エビデンスの登録商標となります。
同社による許諾なく、これらと同一又は類似の標章を商標として使用することはできませんので、ご注意ください。

10PR■Travel lnsurance for Visitors
It is insurance to compensate for the cost of treatment of illness
or injury for foreign travelers
Sompo Japan
https://www.sompo-japan-off.jp/travelins/travelins_en.html

A simple procedure on the website