It is imperative to maintain our health in order to have an enjoyable life.
Employers, school principals, mayors etc. encourage employees, students and
citizens to look after their health by having regular medical check-ups. Private
check-ups can be expensive because they are not covered by health insurance.
However, you can have them freely or quite cheaply. The following are some examples:
1. Employees can have a check-up at a time and place designated by their employer.
In some cases these check-ups are compulsory.
2. Students can have a check-up at a time and place designated by their school
or college -- usually in the school or college just after the beginning of the
school year. Again these are usually compulsory.
3. Those above 40 years of age and do not have the above opportunities can consult
the public health center in their city, town, ward or village.
4. For the unemployed (housewives, the elderly) etc. mobile public health center
units visit many neighborhoods once or twice a year to offer basic check-ups
including chest X-ray.
5. Babies and infants can have check-ups at the public health center in their
city, town, ward or village.
6. Besides the above, if you need a check-up, you should consult you family
or local doctor or the nearest public health center.
Type, content and fees differ according to the check-up and location. For example,
in Kobe City and Hyogo Prefecture free check-ups are available for those foreigners
who have made their Alien Registration in the city or prefecture and for all
those working in the city and prefecture. Check-ups usually include the following:
blood pressure, urine test, blood test, electrocardiogram, X-ray, etc... Such
check-ups are offered usually on Wednesdays at the public health center in your
district and you will need to make an appointment in advance.
If you would like information and consultation about medical services, please
contact AMDA International Medical Center in Tokyo or Kansai. Service is available
9:00 - 5:00
* Tokyo Center:
Phone: 03-5285-8088
Languages: English, Thai, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Tagalog, Persian
* Kansai Center:
Phone: 06-4395-0555
Languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese
If you speak another foreign language, please consult with the service counselor.
* Kobe Foreigner’s Friendship Center
Phone: 078-731-6926
Languages: Vietnamese, Japanese (Tues thru Fri 10:00am - 4:30pm)