How to Stay Healthy

When you move to Japan, the school will register you with the city hall. The city hall will then mail you a green healthcare. Later in the year, the city hall will mail you a pink healthcare card. Keep these cards safe, and bring them with you to the doctor. The city hall will also mail you a 10 page green booklet. Each page of the booklet is a health insurance bill, and you will pay the bills one at a time throughout the year. Each page (bill) has a different date on it. Bring the page to a convenience store, and pay it with cash. Each bill is around $20. The longer you live in Japan the higher the cost of health insurance goes. If you need to go to the doctor, tell your school, and they direct you to a near by (English speaking) clinic. The Japanese government will pay 66% of your bill, and you are responsible for paying the remaining 30%.