Medical treatment is available at hospitals and clinics. Making an appointment is generally not necessary except for dental clinics. As medical and dental treatment in Japan tends to be expensive, it is advisable to make arrangements for health insurance coverage as soon as possible.
Information about which hospitals and clinics are open on weekends and holidays is printed in the Tsukuba Newsletter every month. Call 119 for an ambulance if you need immediate hospital treatment or you are seriously injured. Provide your name, address and details in Japanese (or have someone call for you).
Please try and learn Japanese words and phrases (your address, phone number, etc.) that would be helpful for you in emergency situations. If you can't speak Japanese, please get someone to help you. If you can speak some English, you might be understood if you speak slowly and clearly.
The Tsukuba Medical Center Hospital is open for emergency pediatric care from 6pm to 10pm every night. Reception closes at 9pm. On Sundays, national holidays, and the year end holidays, it is open from 9am to 5pm. Call before going to the hospital (029-851-3511). Always bring your health card.
The Health Centers offer General health examinations; Examinations for lung, gastric, colon, and uterine cancer; Examinations for tuberculosis; Bone density examinations; etc. Also, health consultations are available at the Hoken (Health) Centers.
Ibaraki Prefectural Government's Tsukuba Public Health Center offers HIV counseling and testing in English and Thai, and health counseling for foreigners in English.
Free anonymous AIDS testing is available every Monday from 9am to 10am at Tsukuba Health Center. No reservation necessary. They also provide counselling in English on the first Monday of the month and in Thai on the third Monday, both from 1pm to 5pm.
ENGLISH Every Monday: 1:00pm - 4:00pm (excluding holidays)
No charge for counseling. Available by appointment.
If you are in need of outpatient psychiatric care, there is an assistance program that will help you pay for it. You must fill out forms and receive a card that is valid for two years in order to receive this assistance. The medical fees for the treatment you receive will be reduced from the 30% you would pay under National Health Insurance to either 5% or 0%. After you apply, it can take up to two months to process your application. Contact the Welfare Section for People with Disabilities.
Please see the Women's Issues page.
In order to conform to new personal information protection laws, the city must confirm your identity before releasing information. When completing procedures at the city hall offices, be sure to bring ID such as your passport, alien registration card, or Japanese license. If you are applying for something on behalf of another person, you may be required to produce a letter of proxy that authorizes you to act on that person's behalf. Please be aware of these conditions and always bring sufficient ID when you visit the city hall. Contact the General Services Division for more information.
Topics: Health
Relevant for: Residents
Please note: While all efforts have been made to offer accurate and up-to-date information on this site, the information is presented as a guideline and is subject to change without notification. Phone numbers, addresses, and/or policies may have changed since this page was created. Please contact the appropriate section of the City Hall for confirmation of information and city policies.