Japan has excellent pediatric healthcare, and children are often better covered than adults. Foreign children registered in Japan qualify for the same public health programs as Japanese children, including subsidized medical care and vaccinations.
Health Insurance for Children
Registration
Children must be enrolled in Japanese public health insurance (国民健康保険 or 社会保険) at birth or upon arrival in Japan.
- Register at your city hall (市役所/区役所) within 14 days of birth or arrival
- Children receive their own 保険証 (hoken-sho) — insurance card
- Bring: parents’ insurance cards, child’s birth certificate (if applicable), My Number documents
Children’s Medical Subsidy (乳幼児医療費助成)
This is one of the best benefits for parents in Japan. Most municipalities provide free or heavily subsidized medical care for children:
| Age | Typical Coverage |
|---|---|
| 0–2 years | Often free (after insurance) |
| 3–6 years | Free or ¥200–500 per visit |
| 7–12 years | Free or small co-pay |
| 13–15 years | Many areas still subsidized |
Coverage varies by municipality. Apply at city hall when you register — ask about 乳幼児医療費助成制度.
Finding a Pediatrician (小児科, Shonika)
小児科 (shonika) — pediatric clinic — is your first point of care for sick children.
How to Find One
- Google Maps: Search “小児科 [your area]”
- Ask at city hall or your building manager
- Many hospitals have dedicated pediatric departments
Booking
- Most clinics accept walk-ins during morning hours
- Online booking (net yoyaku) increasingly available
- Arrive early — clinics fill up fast, especially during winter flu season
When to Go to a Pediatrician
- Fever (especially 38°C+ in infants)
- Cough, cold, ear pain
- Rash
- Digestive issues
- Routine health checkups (kenko shindan)
Emergency: 救急病院 (Kyukyu Byoin)
For serious emergencies, go to an emergency hospital (救急病院). Call 119 for an ambulance. Many cities also have children’s emergency hotlines (小児救急電話相談 — #8000).
Vaccinations in Japan
Japan has a national vaccination program (定期接種, teiki sesshu) — many vaccines are free for children at scheduled ages.
Free Vaccines (定期接種) — Schedule
| Vaccine | Schedule |
|---|---|
| BCG (tuberculosis) | 5–8 months |
| Hepatitis B | 0, 1, 6 months |
| DPT-IPV (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio) | 2, 3, 4, 18 months; 11 years |
| Hib | 2, 3, 4, 18 months |
| PCV (pneumococcal) | 2, 3, 4, 12 months |
| MMR / MR (measles, rubella) | 1 year; 5–6 years |
| Varicella (chickenpox) | 1 year; 18 months |
| Japanese encephalitis | 3 years; 4 years; 9 years |
| HPV | From age 12 |
You’ll receive a 母子健康手帳 (boshi kenko techo) — maternal and child health handbook — at city hall. All vaccinations are recorded here. Keep it.
Optional Paid Vaccines
- Influenza (flu): ¥2,000–3,500 per dose; recommended annually
- Rotavirus: Free (as of 2020 schedule)
The Boshi Kenko Techo (母子健康手帳)
The Maternal and Child Health Handbook is given free at city hall when you register a pregnancy or new child arrival.
It records:
- Pregnancy checkups
- Birth information
- Developmental milestones
- All vaccinations
- School health records
This document is essential — bring it to every medical appointment for your child.
Health Checkups (乳幼児健診)
Free developmental checkups are scheduled at:
- 3–4 months
- 6–7 months
- 9–10 months
- 1 year
- 1.5 years
- 3 years
These are done at your local health center (保健センター). Notification is sent by mail. Attendance is encouraged.
School Health in Japan
Children in public school:
- Receive an annual health checkup from school nurses
- Eye and hearing tests annually
- Dental screenings
- Disease notifications go home via paper (translate with Google Translate camera mode)
English-Speaking Pediatricians
Major cities have clinics that serve English-speaking families:
Tokyo:
- Tokyo Midtown Clinic (Roppongi)
- Hiroo Children’s Clinic
- St. Luke’s International Hospital (Chuo-ku)
- International Medical Center of Japan (Shinjuku)
Osaka:
- Osaka International House’s clinic referral list
- Osaka University Hospital
Search “English-speaking pediatrician [your city]” or ask your embassy for a recommended list.