Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Questions frequently asked by international patients and their families.

  • Q

    I cannot speak Japanese at all. Can I receive treatment at a Japanese medical institution?

    A

    Yes, you can. Emergency Assistance Japan Co. Ltd., provides interpretation services in English, Chinese, and many other languages. We can provide interpretation during medical examinations at medical institutions. We will pick you up at the airport and take you to your accommodations. In addition, 24/7 call center service (English and Chinese) is available after your arrival in Japan. Please contact us first by filling out the inquiry form or calling us.

  • Q

    I am worrying about my life in Japan during the treatment.

    A

    We provide a variety of lifestyle support services so that even those who do not speak Japanese at all or have no experience traveling abroad can stay in Japan with peace of mind. Accommodation and sightseeing arrangements can be made upon request. To date, we have coordinated more than 5800 patients in 52 countries.

  • Q

    Is it possible to change hospital or hotel meals so as not to violate religious precepts?

    A

    We will make every effort to avoid any inconvenience due to differences in religion, beliefs, culture, etc. during your stay in Japan. We will do our best to negotiate with medical institutions and accommodations, especially when it comes to coordinating meals (foodstuffs). In the past, we have made arrangement for Muslim and Jain patients who came to Japan through our company, and they lived in Japan without any problems. Please consult us before coming to Japan.

  • Q

    Can I only receive treatment at certain medical institutions?

    A

    If the medical institution determines that the patient is acceptable, the patient can basically receive treatment at any medical institution in Japan.

  • Q

    I have a specific hospital I would like to visit.

    A

    If you have a specific medical institution in mind, please let us know first. We will arrange for you to be examined at a medical institution of your choice.

  • Q

    What do I need to apply for the service?

    A

    Please contact us first by filling out our contact form or calling us. We will send you a form to fill out with basic patient information and a guide to our services.

  • Q

    How do I know if I can be treated in Japan?

    A

    Please send us the latest medical information (medical certificate from the patient’s doctor, test results, CT scans or other test images, etc.) along with the patient’s basic information. We will contact the consulting physician or a medical institution specializing in the treatment of the patient’s disease to inquire about the availability of treatment. Please note that we may refuse treatment in Japan depending on the physician’s opinion.

  • Q

    Can I get a second opinion from a Japanese medical institution without going to Japan?

    A

    Yes, you can. We will obtain a second opinion on your behalf and send you a translation of the results. Please contact us first by filling out the inquiry form or calling us.

  • Q

    How much does it cost?

    A

    The costs of using our services can be divided into three main categories: (1) medical treatment fees paid to medical institutions, (2) our service fees, and (3) travel and accommodation fees. The cost depends on the treatment method and your needs, so please contact us first by inquiry form or phone call. We will prepare a quotation based on your information and requests.

  • Q

    How do I pay the costs?

    A

    Advance payment is required. You are requested to pay the full amount of the total treatment and service fees before coming to Japan, and we will pay the costs in Japan on your behalf, including treatment fees. Payment can be made by bank transfer to our bank account in Japan, various credit cards, Alipay, and Wechat Pay.

  • Q

    What is a visa for medical stay?

    A

    A Visa for Medical Stay is issued to foreign patients (including those undergoing complete medical checkups) and accompanying persons who are visiting Japan for the purpose of receiving medical treatment in Japan. For details on the period of stay and application procedures, please visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

  • Q

    How do I apply for a visa for medical stay?

    A

    First, please contact the guarantor agency registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To apply for a medical stay visa, a “Certificate of Planned Medical Consultations, etc. by a Medical Institution and Letter of Guarantee by a Guarantor” issued by a registered guarantor is required. In February 2011, we registered as the first guarantor organization (registered medical coordinator, etc.) for visas for medical stay, and we have experience in many guarantees. For a list of guarantor organizations and details on application procedures, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

  • Q

    Can I get a visa for medical stay if I ask for assistance from EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE JAPAN Co. Ltd.?

    A

    The “Guarantee” by the Guarantor Agency means only a guarantee of the identity of the visa applicant (foreign patient and accompanying persons). Please note that visa issuance cannot be guaranteed. Please note that we cannot guarantee the issuance of visas.

  • Q

    I have a friend in Japan. Can I ask my friend to interpret for me during my consultation?

    A

    To ensure that foreign patients receive appropriate treatment, we recommend that they use our medical interpretation services. Medical interpreters need not only language skills, but also a thorough understanding of the medical situation in both Japan and the patient’s country. Many cases have been reported where such problems have occurred as a result of non-professional medical interpreters, such as friends living in Japan, accompanying the patient to the doctor’s office.
    Mistranslated medical terms.
    Skipped over medical terms that an interpreter didn’t understand.
    Many unexpected mistranslations occurred, even outside of medical terminology.
    Failed to interpret test results that were inconvenient for the patient
    Failed to explain about the “”Treatment Consent Form.””
    Failed to check for pre-existing conditions.
    Please use our contact form or call us for a quote for medical interpretation services.

  • Q

    What are the characteristics of Japanese healthcare?

    A

    Japan leads the world in areas such as regenerative medicine, which uses your own cells to regenerate wounded body parts and reduce inflammation, “treatment to mitigate burden to the body” using endoscopic and radiation techniques, “tailor-made treatments” that takes individual patient characteristics and genetic level differences into account, “multidisciplinary team medicine,” in which a wide variety of medical staff engaged in medical care work together to provide optimal medical care to patients.

  • Q

    What is“Accredited Medical Travel Assistance Company certification”

    A

    The “Accredited Medical Travel Assistance Company certification” is a system established by the “Medical Globalization Task Force” in the Headquarters for Healthcare Policy of the Japanese government to develop accredited medical travel companies that are able to provide high-quality support services to international patients to enable them to receive medical care services in Japan in comfort, and to extensively promote these companies both domestically and internationally.

    In September 2015, the Emergency Assistance Japan Co., Ltd. was approved as meeting the certification criteria of an “Accredited Medical Travel Assistance Company” and was the first company in Japan to obtain “official certification” from Medical Excellence JAPAN, which is a certifying body of this system.

  • Q

    Can I go to treatment alone?

    A

    If you have no problems with your travel to Japan or your daily life after arriving in Japan, you are welcome to come alone.

  • Q

    I have a visa other than a visa for medical stay. Do I need to reapply for a visa for medical stay in order to receive treatment or health care services?

    A

    It is not necessary to reapply for a visa, but it depends on the status of your visa, so please contact us for more details.

  • Q

    Can I visit a hospital or can I be hospitalized with my accompanying family member?

    A

    Depending on hospital’s policy, a hospital may allow your family member to accompany you when you see a doctor. During hospitalization, a hospital often caters cot beds to your accompanying family member in a room where you are confined.

  • Q

    Can I extend my visa for medical stay?

    A

    If you have to postpone your stay for medical treatment, we will assist you with various procedures.

  • Q

    How long does it take to schedule a second opinion?

    A

    It takes 1-3 weeks, depending on appointment with a specialist in the field.

  • Q

    What partner hospitals does EAJ have?

    A

    Please see this page. ≪Link to the list of medical institutions≫.

  • Q

    When does EAJ dispatch medical interpreters?

    A

    As long as a hospital and a patient require, EAJ will arrange an interpreter to accompany the patient.

  • Q

    If I cancel my request, will EAJ refund me the fees I paid in advance?

    A

    EAJ will refund you the net balance deducting cancellation fee in accordance with the cancellation policy.