For foreigners visiting Japan for a short period of time, we strongly recommend enrolling themselves at least in overseas travel insurance in their home country.
At a medical institution in Japan, the cost of treatment is fully self-borne and, of course, it is very expensive too. For example, the cost of treating heat stroke in summer is estimated to be several hundred thousand yen, and the cost of hospitalizing a fracture patient is estimated to be more than one million yen. To compensate for these injuries and illnesses, overseas travel insurance covers not only the cost of treatment, but also the cost of prescribed drugs. In addition, many insurance companies accept cashless payment. Some insurance companies offer referrals and interpretation services to medical institutions that accept foreigners.
In case of foreigners staying for more than 90 days, they are obliged to take out National Health Insurance (see "National Health Insurance is mandatory", Bits of Knowledge). As these foreigners, in particular, live like ordinary Japanese people, it is important to protect themselves not only against injuries and illnesses but also against damages caused by disasters and accidents and personal liability insurance is also recommended. Particularly for people who commute by bicycle or car, it will be indispensable to obtain bicycle insurance or automobile insurance as a prerequisite for their workplace or host-institute.
If you forget to take out insurance in your home country or if the compensation amount paid in your home country is too low compared with one needed in Japan, you can also take out overseas travel insurance at a Japanese insurance company after entering Japan. The Japan Center for Science and Technology International Exchange (JISTEC) specializes in supporting the lives of foreign researchers and their families in Japan. The Center cooperates with a major Japanese insurance company to provide the "Comprehensive Insurance System for Foreign Researchers."
For reference:
Comprehensive Insurance System for Foreign Researchers[External Link: Japan Center for Science and Technology (JISTEC)]
