So I’m an American citizen (born and raised) but have also been a legal Japanese citizen from birth and have a Japanese passport. I know about opting for exclusive Japanese citizenship but not actually revoking my American citizenship and I will be doing that next year when I turn 20.
If I were to contract some kind of chronic illness, could I hypothetically move to my grandparents’ place near Fukuoka, submit proof of residency to the local government, and receive healthcare for a fraction of what it would cost me in the states?
https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/16jceme/can_i_get_healthcare_in_japan/
5 comments
Anyone can receive health care at the fraction of the cost in the US by going to any other country in the world, often even on a tourist visa. There are even cheaper places than Japan. However, if you don’t have insurance that works in that country (and travel insurance won’t cut it) then it’s still going to be expensive to pay out of pocket and many places will want you to pay upfront to avoid you fleeing and leaving the bills behind.
Health tourism is a big market and lots of hospitals globally are big into it.
This doesn’t directly answer your question, but I’m sure someone who knows more about the Japan health insurance situation will be able to tell you what you would need to or subscribe to in order to qualify and what specific time windows you might have to observe. What you are saying only looks like you’re somehow cheating the system to you because the US is so outrageous. It is normal to move to another country to live or work and immediately get those health benefits (although some have a window to demonstrate regular residency before you qualify).
Yes. You can theoretically do this.
Yes. You would move, go to the local city hall to register your address, sign up for the national healthcare system, and start paying your monthly payment. Very low monthly payment the first year as you had no income here the first year – so maybe 1500-3000y per month. Then the next year, its based on a % of your annual income.
I’m an American who’s lived in Japan for almost 30 years. It’s a weird concept for Americans, but NO ONE at city hall or the ward office is trying to deny you coverage or kick you off of anything. Of course they want to make sure you are paid up, but if you are, you’re golden.
I miss japanese health care…. 30 dollars for two wisdom teeth pulled… Free anual physicals… Lung infection meds only cost 27 dollars roughly… Teeth cleaning and oral checks 20 dollars a session. Seriously good.