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

Types of medical institutions in Japan Visit a clinic or general hospitalduring regular hours.
 Otherwise, go to after-hours
reception (varies by region).

If you need
doctors’
assistance.

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

Emergency
hospitalContents

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

P. 4P. 5

p p

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.

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

Types of medical institutions in Japan . . . . . . . . . 3
pIf you need doctors’ assistance . . . . . . . . . 4

P. 6

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

 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.

Safety advice . . . . . . . . . 1023

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

*1
Tourist Information
CenterReceive a referral toa nearby medical
institution.

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

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.

Reception

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 departments
Internal 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
DermatologyOtorhinolaryngology, 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 illnesses
Toothaches
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

Ú 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

With cash-free international travel medical
insurance, no payments are necessary.
Note: The cash-free conditions vary byinsurance company. Please check beforehand.

Urology
Obstetrics/Gynecology
Emergency Medicine
General Diagnosis and Treatment

42 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 cash
only.

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

Personal information concerning medical care to write down

Ambulance
Call 119

GenderName

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

Male/Female
Age

Date of birthyears old
Be transported to anemergency care
hospital in the event ofa traffic accident orother emergency.

(Please call an ambulance.)

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

Procedure from arrival of the ambulance
Are you currently taking any medications? (Yes / No)

Transportto thehospital

Ambulance
arrivalTreatmentBill
payment

Returnhome

Are you pregnant? [Yes / No]
Past illnesses

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.

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

*3AED
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.

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

67

Please indicate the severity of your pain or symptoms.

Page for pointing to symptoms and their descriptions.

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

How to use this page.

Describe your condition and its severity.

I have a headache.

Very severe

My chest hurts.

I am having irregular bleeding.

I am having chest palpitations.

I have a pain in my abdomen.

My pulse is irregular.
My ear hurts.

I have a headache.

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

My mouth hurts.

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 tongue hurts.
My taste is dull.

*6I feel dizzy.

My baby is listless.
*10

*11

I have a toothache.

I have a pain in my abdomen.

There is blood in my urine.

My gums hurt.

I am bloated.

I have difficulty urinating.

I have vaginal bleeding.

I have to urinate frequently.

I am leaking water.

Urinating is painful.

*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 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.

I cannot walk.

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Safety Advice

PR

Useful websites for natural disasters

AndroidiPhone

This 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 has
occurred, 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。

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