Japan eyes forcing tourists to get health insurance to tackle unpaid medical bills
Japan is considering making health insurance mandatory for foreign tourists as part of a crackdown on unpaid medical bills, with authorities also planning to share details of defaulters with immigration officials to prevent future abuse of the healthcare system.
The proposals come in response to growing concern that some visitors are receiving treatment and then leaving the country without paying, forcing Japanese hospitals – and by extension taxpayers – to absorb the costs.
According to a study by the health ministry, 11,372 foreign nationals sought medical treatment at about 5,500 hospitals across Japan last September. Around 0.8 per cent failed to settle their bills, resulting in unpaid charges totalling more than 61 million yen (US$425,000), the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday.
As a stopgap measure, the ministry is expected to begin sharing information about foreign visitors with unpaid medical debts with immigration authorities. This could allow officials to stop individuals from departing the country until they pay, or flag them for possible detention should they attempt to re-enter Japan.
People visit a shopping street in Asakusa district near Sensoji Temple, a popular tourist location in Tokyo, during the last day of 'Golden Week' holiday on May 6. Photo: AFP
Authorities are also looking at long-term deterrents, including requiring all incoming tourists to carry health insurance that covers medical emergencies during their stay.
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