The majority of Japanese doctors can communicate in English to a limited extent. If you wish to receive medical care in English or another language, you are advised to identify a hospital or clinic that provides foreign language services. The very comprehensive “Guide to Emergency Medical Treatment in Tokyo” with lots of addresses and information in English can be picked up for free at most municipal and ward offices in Tokyo. For free information about medical facilities that offer treatment in foreign languages and for information about the Japanese medical system you can also contact the following telephone information services:
Tokyo Metropolitan Health and Medical Information Centre (Tokyo-to Hoken Iryo Joho Centre) | 2-44-1 Kabuki-cho, Shinjuku-ku tel: 03-5285-8181 (in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish) 9:00 – 20:00, weekdays |
AMDA International Medical Information Centre | tel: 03-5285-8088 (in English, Chinese, Korean, Thai and Spanish) 9:00 – 17:00, weekdays |
Saitama Emergency Medical Information Centre | tel: 048-824-4199 24hrs a day |