Medical expenses climbed 3.5 percent to a record ¥35.3 trillion in the year ended in March, the seventh consecutive annual increase, the government said Monday.
The medical expenses of people aged 70 or older came to ¥15.5 trillion, accounting for 44 percent of the total, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry said.
Spending per person rose ¥10,000 to ¥276,000 overall, increasing ¥19,000 to ¥776,000 for people aged 70 and older, both marking all-time highs, the ministry said.