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Julien wrote:

Hi everybody,

I'd like to start a new topic about expatriates and their health ... How is the health system in your country? (do you feel secure or not?)

Can you choose your practitioner by yourself?

Do you have to pay from your pocket in certain cases? Is is expensive?

Would you prefer to go back home for a surgery? What about childbirth?

Do you need a private health insurance? 

Can you buy tablets in supermarkets like in North America or in the UK?

Let me see....

The health system in Japan is pretty good in general, though there are a couple of 'worrying areas'.
1. Doctors are highly revered in Japan (You call them 'sensei' (teacher), rather than 'san' (Mr/Miss/Mrs)). Doesn't sound a problem does it? Well, the issue is that nobody every questions them, asks for second opinions etc etc. Therefore, you often get 'less skilled' doctors around.
2. Say you have a terminal illness. Doctors will refuse to tell the patient that is the case! They only inform the family, who then sometimes don't tell the patient too.

OK. You can choose your doctor, just like the UK. In Tokyo, there are lots of International Clinics, so I have a British doctor (helps with language barrier etc).

I've not signed up to the Japanese health system. A bit naughty, because you are meant too, but it's very expensive if you have a relatively high salary. I have private Global Health Insurance. Downside is that on normal trips to the doctor, means I have to pay by Credit Card, and then claim back.
The Japanese health system only pays 70% of the cost as well. Often people then have private health to at least top up the remaining 30%.

Childbirth is an issue!!! My missus is Japanese, so I guess she would feel more comfortable here. Having said that, seems the Japanese haven't heard of Spina-bifida (spelling???), so never give folic acid to mothers in the early stages of pregnancy like they do in the UK.

You can buy your basic drugs in small supermarkets. In the larger ones, which have mini-shopping malls on the upper floors, there is a small chemist section just like UK supermarkets.  However, most people go to places like Matsumoto Kiyoshi (which is like a Japanese version of Boots (UK) ). The downside with non-prescription drugs in Japan is they are very weak compared to those in the UK. For example, I sometimes suffer from cold-sores on my lips (though, less than I used to thank goodness). It's impossible to get something powerful like Zovirax.
Also, the flu/cold medicines are crap. Thats why when I get back to the UK on trips, I stock up big time on Beechams Flu Plus capsules and powders

What I find good though is the Japanese pharmarcies seem to have lots of natural herb remedies to try to boost up your immune system. They seem to work well with me... seem to work less well with all the Japanese though.