The coronavirus crisis has prompted Japan to ease regulations on remote medical treatment, creating an opening for tech companies and offering a glimpse of the future of health care in the world¡¯s most rapidly aging society.
As coronavirus cases spiked in April, Japan temporarily eased restrictions on remote medical care, allowing doctors to conduct first-time visits online or by telephone and expanding the number of illnesses that can be treated remotely.
The changes mark a potential shake-up in one of the world¡¯s biggest medical markets, which has lagged countries like Australia, China, and the United States in telemedicine. The reforms could also help the nation grapple with both a skyrocketing health care burden and a lack of doctors in rural areas.
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