Healthcare
Japan — Healthcare: Average Medical Costs
Japan public insurance covers most medical costs: insured working-age adults pay 30% at the counter, and a monthly ceiling limits out-of-pocket costs.
VerifiedGovernment / official sourceMinistry of Health, Labour and Welfare — Health care insurance (patient copayments)Last reviewed: 2026-10-23
Key facts
- Copayment: children under 6 pay 20%; ages 6 to 69 pay 30%; ages 70 to 74 pay 20% (30% for very high income); ages 75 and over pay 10% (30% for very high income).
- A 20% bracket for people 75 and over was introduced in October 2022.
- The high-cost medical expense benefit reimburses amounts above a monthly maximum; for under-70s the MHLW has stated JPY 80,100 plus 1% of medical expenses above JPY 267,000, with lower caps for lower incomes. Figures have changed since publication, so confirm the current cap.
- A My Number Card registered as a health insurance certificate, or a health insurance eligibility certificate, lets patients pay 10% to 30% at the counter without a separate high-cost benefit application.