Category: Hospitals

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 22, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Hospitals Japan Medical

Japan Ruling Parties Agree to Curb Medical Costs by 188 B. Yen

Japan’s ruling parties agreed Friday to seek to reduce the country’s medical costs by 188 billion yen per year, by revising the eligibility of certain drugs for insurance coverage. The agreement was struck between the policy chiefs of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party (Nippon Ishin no Kai). The government plans to hammer out the details of the revised medical insurance system for pharmaceuticals based on the two parties’ agreement for implementation in the fiscal year beginning next April.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt November 20, 2025 Number of comments0
Crime Disability Health Hospitals Japan

University of Tokyo Hospital Doctor Arrested for Alleged Bribery

A 53-year-old doctor at the University of Tokyo Hospital was arrested Wednesday for allegedly taking about 700,000 yen in bribes from a medical equipment maker official in return for using the firm’s devices on a priority basis. Arrested by the Metropolitan Police Department of Tokyo was Takehiro Matsubara, a doctor at the hospital’s Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 25, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Heatstroke Hospitals Japan

Japan sets new record for heat-related ambulance transport incidents

Japan set a new record for ambulance transports due to heat-related illness this summer, the government said Wednesday, surpassing last year’s figure amid unprecedented heat waves and an unusually early end to the rainy season. The Fire and Disaster Management Agency said in preliminary data that 99,573 people across Japan were taken to hospitals for heat-related illness between May 1 and Sunday.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt September 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Health Hospitals Japan

Hyōgo man dies after collapse; emergency call delay linked to NTT outage

On the afternoon of the 16th, a man in his 50s was found collapsed in Itami City, Hyōgo Prefecture, and was transported to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead. According to police, at the time there was a communication outage affecting NTT West, and it is believed that the emergency call was delayed. However, it is not known whether this was directly related to the man’s death.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 18, 2025 Number of comments0
Abuse Disability Hospitals Japan Mental Health Podcast

Kobe City receives total of 21 reports of abuse of persons with disabilities at psychiatric hospitals, only 1 recognized [Podcast Episode]

Kobe City announced on August 14th, that in fiscal year 2024, it received a total of 21 reports of abuse of persons with disabilities at psychiatric hospitals, and recognized one of them as a case of abuse. Following the revision of the Mental Health and Welfare Act, from fiscal year 2024 onward, prefectures and government-designated cities are required to publicly disclose the status of abuse occurring at psychiatric hospitals.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 16, 2025 1
Abuse Disability Hospitals Japan Mental Health

Following Revision of Mental Health Legislation in 2024, Kobe City Receives 21 Reports, Recognizes 1 Case of Abuse of People with Disabilities at Psychiatric Hospitals

Kobe City announced on August 14th, that in fiscal year 2024, it received a total of 21 reports of abuse of persons with disabilities at psychiatric hospitals, and recognized one of them as a case of abuse. Following the revision of the Mental Health and Welfare Act, from fiscal year 2024 onward, prefectures and government-designated cities are required to publicly disclose the status of abuse occurring at psychiatric hospitals.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt August 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Hospitals Japan Medical Technology

Osaka Hospital Hit by Cyberattack on Electronic Medical Record System Reaches ¥1 Billion Settlement with Contractors

In October 2022, the hospital was hit by a cyberattack using ransomware, which caused a system failure. Electronic medical records essential for medical care became unusable, forcing the suspension of new outpatient admissions and surgeries. The Osaka Acute and General Medical Center (Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City) announced on August 8th that it has reached a settlement in which three private contractors, whose systems served as the entry point for a virus, will pay the hospital ¥1 billion in connection with a cyberattack in 2022 that disrupted its electronic medical record system.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt June 11, 2025 Number of comments0
Disability Hospitals Human Rights Immigration Japan Medical

Japan to Tighten Immigration Rules Over Unpaid Medical and Insurance Bills

The Japanese government plans to introduce a “rigorous screening” system by June 2027 that will deny visa renewals to mid- and long-term foreign residents who have failed to pay medical expenses, taxes, or social insurance premiums. The move comes as the Cabinet prepares to approve policies aimed at creating “an orderly and harmonious society with foreign nationals.” A 2024 health ministry survey found that 65.3% of medical institutions accepting foreign patients had unpaid bills, with foreign nationals accounting for 29.3% of debtors but just 1.4% of the total amount owed. Despite these concerns, officials acknowledge there is no nationwide data on insurance payment compliance by foreign residents.