For working people with health issues, visiting a clinic has long meant taking hours off work on a weekday and spending more time in the waiting room than talking with a doctor.
But such days might be approaching an end. Reversing a longtime aversion, Japan is quickly embracing telemedicine, with young doctors leading the way in introducing consultations over the internet.
The turning point came in August 2015, when the health ministry issued a notice and removed regulatory barriers. Now many clinics offer online consultations for busy workers who cannot afford a long wait at the doctor's office.