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July 05, 2025
 

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NATIONAL HEALTH CARE

Prachi Gupta (left) after the birth of her first child in 2018
JAPAN / Society / FOCUS
Aug 14, 2023
For foreign expecting mothers in Japan, a struggle over maternity norms
Different expectations over things like natural births and weight gain can cause anxieties for non-Japanese.
PODCAST / deep dive
Aug 10, 2023
Why is modernizing Japan so darn tough?
Reporter Gabriele Ninivaggi joins us to break down how Japan’s digitalization hiccups risk exposing how backward things are.
JAPAN
Jun 29, 2023
Japan aims to fix medical fee errors linked to My Number by August
System errors over the use of My Number cards as health insurance certificates have caused many patients to have to pay the full amount of medical costs out of their own pocket.
JAPAN
Jun 21, 2023
Public opposition grows over My Number and health insurance merger
Resistance to the integration of the two cards has been driven by reports of errors and privacy breaches when the cards have been linked.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 19, 2023
Japan to roll out COVID-19 booster targeting XBB subvariant in the fall
A vaccine subcommittee under the health ministry is aiming to prepare for another spike in infections possibly arriving in the winter.
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jun 13, 2023
Japan panel weighs making morning-after pill available over the counter
Under the current policy, a visit to a medical institution and a prescription are required to purchase a morning-after pill.
JAPAN
May 7, 2023
Japan steps into post-pandemic phase with scrapping of COVID measures
The move will have a far-reaching impact on the nation’s health care system and beyond, affecting everything from the cost of treatment to the reporting of COVID cases.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional voices: Chubu
Apr 24, 2023
Integration of My Number and health insurance cards accelerating
Concerns remain among medical and welfare workers who worry about the possibility of people who don’t own My Number cards having difficulty seeing a doctor.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 21, 2023
Japan panel approves nation's first abortion pill
Final approval from the health minister is expected to follow, but the timing remains unclear.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Apr 7, 2023
Japan adds new HPV vaccine to routine inoculation program
According to the health ministry, most cervical cancer cases can be attributed to HPV infection through sexual intercourse, with many cases occurring at a young age.
JAPAN
Mar 10, 2023
Government to scale back COVID support with disease downgrade on May 8
The move means much of the state subsidies for screening and treatments will be scaled back and free COVID testing and outpatient care will end.
JAPAN
Feb 17, 2023
Japan to offer insurance certificates to those without integrated My Number card
Those who haven't merged their My Number and health insurance cards can apply for the free certificate, or continue using the insurance card for one more year.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Science & Health
Jan 26, 2023
Japan launches electronic prescriptions nationwide
The health ministry said that around 30,000 facilities have already applied to start electronic prescriptions.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Dec 25, 2022
Doctor-staffed rapid response vehicles in wider use in Japan
By providing treatment to patients before they are taken to hospital, including in the vehicles, medical professionals can respond to sudden changes in their conditions.
JAPAN
Dec 15, 2022
Social security panel proposes more aid for those raising children in Japan
The report also said that the elderly should bear more of their medical costs in line with their incomes and that an environment should be created to support diverse working styles.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Nov 28, 2022
Japan panel seeks clarification of primary care system after COVID issues
A health ministry panel has proposed clarifying the function of such physicians in law, after the pandemic highlighted ambiguities in the role they play in the community.
JAPAN
Oct 12, 2022
Japan to scrap health insurance cards around autumn 2024
The move comes as the government aims to increase the use of My Number cards, and digital minister Taro Kono is expected to make an announcement on the matter as early as Thursday.
JAPAN
Sep 16, 2022
Japan to face a shortage of nearly 1 million medical and welfare staff in 2040
While 10.7 million such workers are projected to be necessary in 2040, only 9.74 million will be available, according to the 2022 white paper on health, labor and welfare.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Regional Voices: Tohoku
Jun 21, 2021
Income cap hinders nurses’ role in administering COVID-19 vaccines in Japan
Normally, if a spouse's income rises above u00a51.3 million a year, they lose access to their partner's pension and health care benefits, which has put some people off extra hours.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / MEDIA MIX
Jun 12, 2021
Nursing services in Japan juggling financial solvency and users' well-being
Should the government be turning to the private sector to provide care for the country's aging population?
A prophesied disaster (likely) won’t strike Japan this weekend
A viral manga prediction of a July 5 disaster has gripped Japan with anxiety and triggered an economic impact, but experts warn that while such dates are unreliable, the threat of a massive earthquake remains real. 
Magnitude 5.5 earthquake jars Tokara Islands amid flurry of seismic activity
A strong quake struck off the Tokara Islands on Thursday afternoon, with the island chain having recorded around 1,000 earthquakes since a burst of seismic activity first began on June 21.
Japan to require flight passengers to keep power banks within sight
The transport ministry has announced new regulations requiring flight passengers to keep power banks within sight to mitigate fire risks while on board planes.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Residents of Tokara Islands begin evacuation as seismic swarm continues
Details about evacuations from Akuseki Island, located in the Tokara island chain in Kagoshima Prefecture, is seen written on a whiteboard in the city of Kagoshima on Thursday.
Ghibli’s Isao Takahata exhibit shows how beloved anime is made
“The man who planted Japanese animation” exhibition includes a variety of sketches, drawings and animation cels from Isao Takahata films such as color design for characters by Michiyo Yasuda from "Grave of the Fireflies."
Flag football facing challenges and opportunities ahead
Japan’s women’s flag football team at the 2025 International Bowl in Los Angeles in June. The sport is enjoying continued growth in the country.
From Hokusai’s Great Wave, shinkansen to One Piece: a cultural treasure box for Lego Japan
Michael Ebbesen, general manager of Lego Japan, says Lego bricks based on Japanese culture have a rich global appeal and are sellable around the world.
With farmed fish, RelationFish swims against the tide in fine dining
Chef Hideaki Matsuo (middle) and the staff of Oseto Suisan Fisheries prepare to check on their sustainably farmed fish.
As Southeast Asia heats up, a Japanese cooling giant sees a major opportunity
An employee of Daikin Cambodia explains the use of different tools during an air conditioner installation training session in Phnom Penh. Daikin is one of Japan’s oldest air conditioning companies, but as Japan’s population falls, the firm is keying in on overseas growth.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Longform

Mount Fuji is considered one of Japan's most iconic symbols and is a major draw for tourists. It's still a mountain, though, and potential hikers need to properly prepare for any climb.
What it takes to save lives on Mount Fuji
By Alex K.T. Martin

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Muji has been sustainable from the beginning
Muji has been sustainable from the beginning

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