KYOTO CITY INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION

Ⅲ Necessary Information for Daily Life

1. Health and Medical Care

1-1 Receiving Medical Attention

◆Hospitals and Clinics

＊Hours of operation vary, but treatment is usually available weekday mornings. Most facilities are closed Sundays and holidays.

＊Call an ambulance in case of emergency.

FTelephone number for ambulances p.20

＊Make sure the doctor gives a sufficient explanation about any medicine you receive.

◆General points to consider about hospitals and clinics

(1) If you are worried about language problems, use an interpreter service (depending on the district, an international exchange society will provide an interpreter service).

(2) If there is something you do not understand, ask immediately.

(3) Ask the doctor to explain such things as test results and methods of taking medication as simply as possible until you understand.

(4) Do not be late for appointments or consultation times.

(5) Do not use a mobile phone or PHS phone inside a hospital or clinic.

(6) Consult with the hospital in regards to inpatient costs, items you do not understand, and services you may use. If there is a social worker at the hospital, consult with the social worker.

(7) In Japan, there are many services you must apply for on your own, oherwise you will not be able to make use of them. It is important therefore to know about them. If you want such information, consult a social worker. Since consultation is free and privacy is protected, feel free to consult a social worker or medical facility.

◆Medical Departments - Which department is for what?

Internal medicine (Naika) internal organs

Psychiatric medicine (Seishinka) mental illness

Neurology (Shinkeinaika) brain and muscles

Pediatrics (Shonika) children’s illnesses

Surgery (Geka) swelling and injury of internal organs Orthopedics (Seikeigeka) bone and joint injuries

Plastic Surgery (Keiseigeka) scar removal

Neurosurgery (Noshinkeigeka) head injury, brain damage

Dermatology (Hifuka) skin

Urology (Hinyokika) kidney, bladder and genitalia

Obstetrics/ Gynecology (Sanfujinka) pregnancy, childbirth, and women's illnesses

Ophthalmology (Ganka) eye injury or illness

Otolaryngology (Jibiinkoka) injury or illness to ear, nose, or throat

Rehabilitation (Rihabiriteishon) walking practice etc.

Radiology (Hoshasenka) X-ray testing

Anesthesiology (Masuika) Painsuppressants

Dentistry (Shika) Tooth-ache, gum disease

1-2 Medical Insurance Schemes

Medical Expenses

Without having medical insurance, medical expenses become your sole responsibility and may be very expensive depending on the institution. Financial aid is available for medical expenses related to incurable diseases, the elderly, infants, and single parent households.

Japanese Public Health Insurance

In Japan, based on an insurance system for all people, you are required to join public health insurance. There are two kinds of public health insurance; insurance available at your place of employment, and insurance available at the Ward Office of your city, town, or village. Joining a private insurance scheme does not mean that you are not obligated to join public insurance.

When you join public health insurance, you are required to pay premiums, but when you are sick or injured, you will generally only have to pay 30% of medical expenses. In addition, you will be reimbursed for expenses incurred when giving birth and for large medical bills.

A convenient system whereby medical expenses and insurance premiums are reduced

◆For Exchange Students

〈Ryugakusei Kokumin-Kenko-Hoken Hojo〉

The Kyoto City International Foundationprovides a National Health Insurance subsidy (Ryugakusei Kokumin Kenko Hoken Hojo) to privately funded foreign students of universities and junior colleges in Kyoto City. The subsidy is a maximum of \700 yen per month (or the monthly total if less). To be eligible, the student must be a resident of Kyoto City.

◆For persons with low income

If your income is lower than the designated standard, you can apply for a “statutory reduction” of your insurance premium by 20 % - 70%.

F The Pension Insurance Section of the Ward or Branch Office in your area. p.225

1-3 Health Examinations and Vaccinations

(1) Health examinations

Regular health examinations are recommended to prevent serious illness. For persons over 40 years of age, examinations are provided at a discounted rate.

＊Basic health examination

＊Women’s health examination

＊Tuberculosis examination

＊Lung cancer examination

＊Stomach cancer examination

＊Large intestine cancer examination

＊Breast cancer examination (for women over 30 years old)

＊Uterine cancer examination (for women over 30 years old)

＊Adult dentistry health consultation

F The Health Department (Health Center) of the Ward or Branch Office in your area. p.225

(2) Vaccinations

Vaccinations provide immunity (Men’eki) to bacteria and viruses, which normally cause illness when they enter the body. Although not compulsory, it is recommended that children be vaccinated to prevent health risks.

Vaccination

Illness	Vaccination frequency	Target age group	Period when vaccine is available	Location where vaccine is available
BCG (tuberculosis vaccine)	Once	Within 6 months	Any time during the year	Health Center
Polio	Twice, with 41 days break in between	3-90 months	April and October Please contact a Health Center	Health Center
DTP (Whooping cough, diphtheria, tetanus)	1st Period: (primary injections) three times with 20 days to 56 days in between. One additional injection needed 12 months after the primary	3 monhs to 90 months	Any time during the year	Hospital, clinic
	2 nd period: one injection	11-12 years old	Anytime during the year
Measles / Rubella	1st period: one injection	12-24months	Anytime during the year	Hospital, Clinic
	2 nd period: one injection	5-6 years old	Anytime during the year
Japanese Encephalitis	1st period (primary injections) two times with 6 days to 28 days in between. One additional injection need 12 months after the primary injections.	3 monhs to 90 months	Anytime during the year	Hospital, Clinic
	2nd period: one injection	9-12 years old

Return to page top ▲