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July 24, 2026
 

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NATIONAL HEALTH CARE

A cardiac muscle cell sheet that uses induced pluripotent stem cells
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jul 22, 2026
Another iPS product approved for public insurance coverage in Japan
It is the second case of insurance coverage approval in the nation for an induced pluripotent stem cell-derived regenerative medicine product.
Conventional health insurance cards will no longer be accepted at medical institutions in Japan starting in August. Patients will need to present their My Number cards registered for use as a health insurance card.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 20, 2026
Japanese health insurance cards no longer usable in clinics from August
Patients in Japan will need a My Number card registered for insurance use or a special certificate to receive insured medical treatment.
The ceilings on monthly out-of-pocket medical expenses will be raised next month and again in August 2027.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Jul 19, 2026
Japan to raise caps on out-of-pocket medical expenses
The changes are intended to curb ballooning national medical costs.
A bloodstained helmet worn by an ambulance crew member who became involved in a case of violent abuse against the crew
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 7, 2026
Violence toward ambulance crews in Tokyo higher in 2025 and rising this year
Incidents not only impact the well-being of emergency personnel but also reduce the availability of emergency services for others.
Takashi Yonekawa, deputy head of the National Federation of Health Insurance Societies, speaks during an interview in Tokyo on June 24.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jul 6, 2026
Kenporen seeks medical insurance reform talks
Japan should engage in discussions involving all stakeholders on whether and how to revise its public medical insurance system, deputy head Takashi Yonekawa said.
Noninvasive prenatal testing has gained popularity as an alternative to conventional tests due to its lower stress levels for mothers.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Jun 1, 2026
More pregnant women in Japan undergo prenatal checkups
Noninvasive prenatal testing has gained popularity as an alternative to conventional tests due to its lower stress levels for mothers.
Health minister Kenichiro Ueno at an Upper House plenary session following the passage of a bill to reform the nation's health care insurance system
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 29, 2026
Japan passes bill to raise co-payments for prescription drugs similar to OTC counterparts
The health ministry plans to require individuals to bear additional costs for some 1,100 over-the-counter-like prescription drugs starting in March 2027.
Organ transplants are sometimes called off due to staff shortages, for example, at medical institutions in Japan.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 28, 2026
Health ministry to give financial aid to organ transplant hospitals
The aid program is designed to reduce cases in which transplants are canceled due to staff shortages, as more people become organ donors.
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group President and Group CEO Toru Nakashima in 2025. Nakashima believes that Japan must make better use of medical resources.
BUSINESS / Tech
May 19, 2026
SMFG, Fujitsu and SoftBank forming medical alliance to help contain costs
As Japan faces another wave of retirees, technology might help keep the nation fit and control healthcare spending.
The government hopes to reduce medical expenses by asking people to pay more for prescription drugs similar to those that can be purchased at drugstores.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / FOCUS
May 15, 2026
Co-payment to reach 50% for prescription drugs similar to OTC ones in Japan
The current medical system has been criticized?for allowing drugs that could be replaced by over-the-counter alternatives to be bought for cheaper through public health insurance.
IPS cells cultured by Sumitomo Pharma
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
May 13, 2026
Health panel approves coverage for iPS cell-derived Parkinson¡¯s disease treatment
The approval of Sumitomo Pharma¡¯s Amchepry makes it the world¡¯s first commercialized medical product derived from iPS cells.
The combined balance at health insurance associations at all large firms in the fiscal year that ends in March 2027 is forecast to result in a ?289 billion ($1.8 billion) deficit, according to the National Federation of Health Insurance Societies.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Apr 30, 2026
Deficits loom for many health insurance associations at large Japanese firms
Over 70% of such groups are projected to log deficits in fiscal 2026, the National Federation of Health Insurance Societies says.
About half of the sexual abuse cases occurred during one-on-one interactions between patients and staff.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 29, 2026
Some 15% of hospitals in Japan report sexual abuse
The survey by the Children and Families Agency, the first of its kind, was conducted online between December 2025 and January 2026.
Out-of-pocket expenses for medicine with ingredients and effects similar to those of over-the-counter drugs are set to be raised from March 2027.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Apr 28, 2026
Lower House approves bills to raise out-of-pocket costs for OTC-like drugs
Under the new system 25% of the prices of OTC-like drugs will be added to out-of-pocket costs from March 2027, aside from those for cancer and other intractable diseases.
Health minister Kenichiro Ueno speaks to reporters in Tokyo on Friday.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Apr 24, 2026
Japan¡¯s health minister calls for measles vaccinations
According to the minister, 299 measles cases were reported between Jan. 1 and April 12, already exceeding the total figure for 2025.
The Finance Ministry in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 24, 2026
Japan proposes drastic cut in medical school enrollment
The Finance Ministry is considering the reduction because of an expected surplus of doctors due to the country¡¯s declining population.
Navigating cancer treatment as a foreign resident of Japan can be an added layer of stress, but nonprofit organizations and community resources are available to support those with a diagnosis.
COMMUNITY / How-tos
Apr 20, 2026
Counseling and community for foreign cancer patients in Japan
Navigating cancer treatment as a foreign resident can be daunting, but mental health clinics, nonprofit organizations and other platforms can support the journey.
Japan's health ministry has imposed restrictions on blood and organ donations from people who have stayed in Britain or elsewhere in Europe between 1980 and 2004.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø
Apr 15, 2026
Japan to lift organ donation curbs for those who have stayed in Europe
The change is expected to take effect as early as this autumn.
Lecanemab and donanemab aim to slow the progression of the neurodegenerative disease by removing a protein called amyloid-beta from the brain, whose buildup is believed to contribute to the death of brain cells.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Apr 8, 2026
Less than 20% of patients in Japan interested in new Alzheimer¡¯s drugs received one
Many were ineligible or decided against taking the medications due to potential side effects and the high cost, a study has found.
Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine President Koji Nishida speaks during a news conference in Kobe on March 18.
51³Ô¹ÏÍø / Science & Health
Apr 4, 2026
Patient deaths prompt concern over regenerative care not covered by insurance
A series of fatal accidents and regulatory violations involving noncovered regenerative care has prompted health authorities in Japan to review related systems.
Japan scientists identify clusters of protein believed to trigger Alzheimer¡¯s disease
A team of researchers said they found a ¡°seed¡± that accelerates the amyloid beta accumulation process in the brain, naming it ¡°Peak 1 amyloid beta,¡± as seen in a mouse's brain.
Indian brothers make manga debut in Japan
Two Indian brothers made their manga debut in Japan with "Kung Fu Kung Fool" ¡ª an action-comedy series that follows the adventures of a notorious thief and a young boy.
Japan weighs regulating Pokemon cards amid trading mania
A Pokemon event is held in Jakarta on July 11
Low-income families in Japan cut food and air conditioning during summer break
Yumiko Watanabe, the chairperson of nonprofit Kidsdoor, explains the results of a survey in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward on July 1.
Iran strikes on CIA facilities prompt questions about possible Russian role
Iranian drones are displayed in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on Jan. 13, 2025.U.S. officials have acknowledged that Russia has ?provided targeting ?and other support for Iran in its drone strikes on U.S. targets in the Persian Gulf region.
The sci-fi sensibilities of electronic trio Black Boboi
Black Boboi was formed in 2018 when solo artists Julia Shortreed, Utena Kobayashi and Ermhoi came together under Kobayashi¡¯s newly founded label, Bindividual.
A perfect storm: Kaze Fujii fans flock to Fuji Rock
Okayama-born singer-songwriter Kaze Fujii has carved out a distinctive place in Japanese pop since his major-label debut in 2019.
Can Japanese comedy get laughs in English? Yoshimoto Kogyo lets the jokes rip
Wes-P has millions of followers and his viral clips made him recognizable out of Japan.
The 180-day locals: Life on Japan¡¯s digital nomad visa
Christopher Flinn works remotely from Tokyo earlier this month. Japan issued 646 digital nomad visas in 2025, but tourism officials are hoping to increase that figure in the coming years, with Japan's relatively cheap cost of living and the weak yen seen as potential draws for young professionals.
Japan reveals hint of new defense spending target in fiscal blueprint
The Self-Defense Forces' Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires during a joint live-fire drill with U.S. Marines as part of the annual Resolute Dragon exercises in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on June 28.

Podcast

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo¡¯s Shinjuku Ward.
Kabukicho: Tokyo¡¯s ¡®stadium of desire¡¯

Longform

For many people, utility poles and power lines have become such a familiar part of Japan¡¯s landscape that they often go unnoticed.
Why Japan¡¯s utility poles won¡¯t be disappearing anytime soon
By Alex K.T. Martin

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