Wanting to Receive Medical Care in a Foreign Language
If it is difficult to explain your illness or symptoms in Japanese, check for medical institutions that offer foreign-language support or medical interpretation.
If it is difficult to explain your illness or symptoms in Japanese, check for medical institutions that offer foreign-language support or medical interpretation.
Finding a medical institution with foreign-language support
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's "Medical Information Net (Navii)" lets you search for medical institutions by region, medical department, foreign-language support, and other conditions.
There is also information on medical institutions that accept foreign patients, compiled by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Japan Tourism Agency.
Checking before you make an appointment
Even if a medical institution is listed as offering "English support" or similar, the following may differ:
- The days it is available
- The staff who can provide it
- The content of the consultation
- Whether a reservation is required
It is reassuring to check with the medical institution before your visit.
Medical interpretation
Depending on the medical institution and region, medical interpretation may be available.
Methods vary, including in-person, by phone, and remote interpretation.
Also check whether there is a cost.
When using automatic translation
For important information such as symptoms, medication, and allergies, be careful whether the translation is correct.
If you are not sure, check with the medical institution.
In an emergency
Even if you cannot speak enough Japanese, if it is life-threatening, call 119.
What you can check next
- Sick or Injured. Wanting to Go to the Hospital
- Medical Departments, Reception, Consultations, and Medical Costs
- Sudden Illness, Ambulances, and Night/Holiday Care
Main places to check
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Medical Information Net (Navii)
- Prefectures
Last checked: August 2026