Japan Medical Welfare

Japan’s Medical Expenses Hit Record 48 T. Yen in Fiscal Year 2023

Japan’s national medical expenses hit a record 48.09 trillion yen in fiscal 2023, rising 3.0 percent from the previous year, the health ministry said Friday. Per capita spending also reached an all-time high of 386,700 yen, driven by an increase in influenza cases, an aging population, and the growing use of advanced medical technologies. Elderly people aged 65 or older accounted for nearly 60 percent of total costs, with per capita expenses at 797,200 yen—more than three times that of those under 65. Funding came primarily from government sources, public insurance premiums, and out-of-pocket payments by patients.

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by Michael Gillan Peckitt
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From Jiji

October 11 2025

TOKYO – Medical expenses in Japan for fiscal 2023 rose 3.0 pct from the previous year to 48,091.5 billion yen, marking a record high, the health ministry has said. 

On a per capita basis, the expenses paid to medical institutions for the treatment of illness and injury in the year through March 2024 expanded 3.5 pct to 386,700 yen, also an all-time high, according to a final report released Friday.

The rise in medical costs is attributed to an increase in influenza cases, the country’s aging population and costly medical treatments using advanced technologies.

For those aged 65 or older, per capita expenses reached 797,200 yen, 3.7 times that of individuals under 65, whose average was 218,000 yen. This older age group accounted for 28,880.6 billion yen, about 60 pct of the total national medical expenditure.

Financial resources for the medical costs included 18,033.1 billion yen from central and local government funds, 24,138.3 billion yen from public medical insurance premiums and 5,686.5 billion yen patients paid directly to medical institutions.

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