
Shield Medical Care System from Abusive Short-stay Foreigners
Concerns are increasingly being voiced about Japan's high-cost medical care system. Generously, it aims to reduce the out-of-pocket expenses of patients facing high medical expenses. However, one particular gripe is whether it should be applied to foreigners who are in Japan for only a short stay. Foreigners who reside in Japan for more than three months for study or work are covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) system. These individuals are required to pay 30% of their medical expenses themselves. They may also apply for a reduction of medical expenses under the High-Cost Medical Treatment System. A problem arises,