Health Management

1. National Health Insurance

In Japan, We have the National Health Insurance system in order to obtain medical services easily, when we suffer illness or in jury.

All foreign students who are going to stay in Japan for more than one year are required to join the National Health Insurance program while staying in Japan. After joining this program they should pay contributions monthly. However, if the students apply that they don't have any income, 60 percent of ordinary contributions may be cut down. The ways to pay contributions vary with the areas. In case of Nara city, the city will pay all of the contributions for foreign students and they can join this program without paying any contributions.

It is advisable that students take steps for joining the National Health Insurance program when they visit the City Hall for Alien Registration. When they have gone through the formalities of application, they will receive the National Health Insurance Cards at the same section on the same day.

By presenting a National Health Insurance Card at the medical institutions where they have obtained medical services, the medical expenses they are supposed to bear will be reduced to 30 percent of the total amount.

Moreover, the students should consult with the clerks in the Foreign Students Service Section in the Student Division when they have paid a large charges for medical services like being hospitalized. The assistance system for large medical charges can be applied. For details, they should consult with the clerks in the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division.

2. Financial Assistance for Medical Expenses

When the foreign students suffer illness or in jury in Japan, the AlEJ pays 80 percent of the medical expenses that they have to bear. This applies only to students with the visa status College Student and they must be registered at the AIEJ in advance at the time of admission.

The students with the visa status College Student without the registration or the students with the other status cannot be applied this system.

In consequence of being applied the National Health Insurance and this Medical Assistance together, they only have to pay 46 percent of total charge for medical services received in Japan.

For details,they should consult with the clerks in the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division.

(1) At the time of admission to the university, they should submit to the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division the following:

  1. Registration form for financial assistance for medical expenses
  2. National Health Insurance Card (copy)
  3. Certificate of Alien Registration (copy)
  4. A photo (4cm by 3cm in size)
When they have gone through the formalities of application, they will receive the foreign student medical cards.

(2) Application for assistance

Financial assistance is available only to the types of medical treatment that can be covered by the National Health Insurance Act. In applying for assistance,students should understand the following:

  1. They have to show their Foreign Student Medical Cards to the receptionists at the medical institution each time they receive medical service.
  2. They have to pay the whole amount of the medical expenses at the medical institution when they receive medical service, and have the receipt issued for the payment.
  3. They should receive the form for receipts for the medical charges at the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division, take it to the medical institution, and have it issued every time they are treated, write the necessary items in application form for assistance,then bring them both to the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division at the end of each month.
  4. The financial assistance may be reimbursed about two months after the application is submitted.
Students who are scheduled to complete or to leave the university at the end of the school year, or who are graduated from the university, should report to the clerk in the Foreign Student Service Section in the Student Division well in advance.

3. Regular Physical Checkup Given by the University

The university gives a physical checkup to all students every year,usually in May or in June. This is intended for maintenance of students' health.

The date of physical checkup for foreign students is specially assigned and will be announced in advance. The university checkup includes the following items: physical measurement, internal examination, X-ray examination of the chest, dental examination, urinalysis

4. Health Administration Center

The Health Administration Center of the university serves the purpose of maintaining and improving students' health. As a rule,first aid and others are given during the time from 9 a.m. to 5p.m. on Monday through Friday. For health consultation the students should contact and make an appointment with the clerk in the Health Administration Center about the date and the time in advance.

5. School Accident Insurance

This insurance is intended to cover expenses for physical damage that students (including research students) happen to incur during their regular school work, including lectures, PE, laboratory and field work. Students who have acquired this insurance will have their expenses paid according to the degree of in jury.

Further information about this insurance may be obtained at the faculty offices or the Student Welfare Section in the Student Welfare Division. (they should refer on Student Handbook)

Amount of contributions is mentioned below:

Status Duration of Insurance Amount of contributions
undergraduate Letters 4 years 3,200 yen
Science 3,900 yen
Human Life and Environment 3,900 yen
Status Duration of Insurance Amount of contributions
graduate Letters 2 years 1.700 yen
Science 2,100 yen
Home Economics 2,100 yen
Human Culture (doctor's course) 3 years 2,600 yen