Japan Set to Mandate Health Insurance for International Tourists
Tokyo – Japan is preparing to introduce stricter entry regulations for foreign tourists, aiming to address the growing issue of unpaid medical bills left by visitors. The proposed measures may require travelers to provide proof of medical insurance prior to visa issuance and undergo checks for any outstanding medical expenses from previous visits.
The initiative is expected to be included in Japan’s upcoming annual economic and fiscal policy review. Authorities are also considering making travel health insurance mandatory for all foreign tourists entering the country.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is coordinating with the Immigration Services Agency to facilitate data-sharing on unpaid medical bills. This collaborative effort is intended to help identify visitors who failed to settle their healthcare charges during earlier trips to Japan.
A recent government survey revealed that unpaid medical fees from foreign visitors have reached approximately $427,000. In a separate study conducted by the Japan Tourism Agency, around 30% of international tourists were found to have entered Japan without any form of health insurance.
According to the Japanese health ministry, the objective is to guarantee that all guests can pay for unforeseen medical costs. The mandatory health insurance rule for foreign visitors is implemented in countries like the UAE, Turkey, Morocco and Jordan. – News Agency