General Health Information
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Japan Health Info
This site is a veritable treasure trove of info on all aspects of healthcare in Japan. If you need to know about anything from pregnancy to emergency services you should find it here.
Finding a Doctor
The Prefectural Government provides a database of English speaking clinics available in Gifu which you can access here. The list is extremely comprehensive but be aware of the possibility that some of this information is out of date.
You can also refer to the JNTO Medical Institution Database for Japanese hospitals and clinics that provide foreign language support.
You can also refer to the JNTO Medical Institution Database for Japanese hospitals and clinics that provide foreign language support.
General Health Check - 健康診断
All Japanese Government workers (this includes you) are required to undergo a mandatory health check (健康診断 - Kenko Shidan) at least once every year. These tend to be carried out at the organization you work for. As we were all required to get a health check before we applied to be on JET some contracting organizations may exempt you from this process in your first year.
- They’re free!
- It’s very comprehensive and includes a whole range of tests from blood to a chest X-ray.
- The school health check will most likely include testing your blood, urine, feces (if you’re one of the lucky municipal JETs!), weight, height, circumference measurements, body-fat percentage, hearing, eye sight, and a chest X-ray and lifestyle questionnaire.
- They’re generally held at your school or a nearby clinic.
Keep in mind it is the responsibility of your CO to provide you with the medical check-up. If you are concerned about not receiving it then please contact the Gifu PAs.
If you wish to get a private health check-up it will not be covered by your national insurance (more information about the insurance your receive as a JET here) and can run into the tens of thousands of yen so it may be a good idea to get yourself checked while you have the chance.
Former CIR Health Check Testimonial:
Firstly, all of us at the prefectural office who are to take the health check must complete a survey. The first section dealt with our medical history (Have you ever had a brain haemorhage, liver inflamation etc etc). It then moved on to questions about recent changes in sleep patterns, weight etc. Some questions seemed a little bizarre to me coming from an Irish perspective. For example, "Do you walk faster than those around you? Do you eat faster than those of a similar age to you?" I am sure there are medical reasons for this but I didn't get them.
Once the form was filled out I took it to the grand hall and was registered as attending. We were asked to provide a urine sample and this was the first thing tested by a nurse sitting just outside the grand hall behind a curtain.
Then I undertook an eye test and had my blood pressure taken. Following on from this I supplied three vials of blood and was asked to press the spot which the needle had pricked on my arm with a cloth for a set period of time (they used actual sand timers) and then moved on to having my heart checked. The doctor who checked my heart judged it to be at the bottom of my rib cage. This was interesting to me.
Then my waist size was measured in a seperate room and I moved onto the hearing test. The hearing test took the form of a button press. No Japanese required.
Finally I was weighed and my height was measured. For this test I was asked to remove even my socks and the female workers were asked to remove tights (every mm counts). Following this I moved to a desk were some basic information was verified by a final doctor. I was then asked to go to a truck waiting outside where I was asked to remove my shirt and have my chest scanned. The doctor in this truck kept my form with all of my results on it and I was free to go back to work.
The results will be sent to my place of work at a later date with suggestions on how I can improve my health.
Once the form was filled out I took it to the grand hall and was registered as attending. We were asked to provide a urine sample and this was the first thing tested by a nurse sitting just outside the grand hall behind a curtain.
Then I undertook an eye test and had my blood pressure taken. Following on from this I supplied three vials of blood and was asked to press the spot which the needle had pricked on my arm with a cloth for a set period of time (they used actual sand timers) and then moved on to having my heart checked. The doctor who checked my heart judged it to be at the bottom of my rib cage. This was interesting to me.
Then my waist size was measured in a seperate room and I moved onto the hearing test. The hearing test took the form of a button press. No Japanese required.
Finally I was weighed and my height was measured. For this test I was asked to remove even my socks and the female workers were asked to remove tights (every mm counts). Following this I moved to a desk were some basic information was verified by a final doctor. I was then asked to go to a truck waiting outside where I was asked to remove my shirt and have my chest scanned. The doctor in this truck kept my form with all of my results on it and I was free to go back to work.
The results will be sent to my place of work at a later date with suggestions on how I can improve my health.
Medications
- Some of the medications you may have used at home are illegal in Japan (like Pseudoephedrine).
- In Japan, it is legal to order prescription medications online for personal use, as long as those medications are legal in Japan.
- Only use this option if you have been on a certain type of medication for a long time and you know it works for you.
- It can be helpful for medications you use regularly, like birth control, asthma inhalers, dermatology creams, etc.
- https://www.inhousepharmacy.vu/ or other websites can also deliver medications, but be careful to check the authenticity of such sites and whether they abide by international and local restrictions.
Bringing or Importing Medicines into Japan
source: Japan Info Swap
Caution is required when bringing any kind of medicine into Japan. Many products that are commonly available over the counter elsewhere in the world are not approved for sale in Japan (examples include medicines that contain Pseudoephedrine, such as Actifed, Sudafed, and Vicks inhalers) and their import is strictly prohibited.
In the case of prescription medicines, provided that the medicine in question is not one that is prohibited or strictly controlled, you are allowed to bring up to one month’s supply of medicine with you. It should be noted that the import of some medicines (some narcotics and stimulants, or medicines that contain precursors exceeding a certain concentration level) is totally prohibited and you will not be given permission to bring them into Japan under any circumstances.
In the case of prescription medicines, provided that the medicine in question is not one that is prohibited or strictly controlled, you are allowed to bring up to one month’s supply of medicine with you. It should be noted that the import of some medicines (some narcotics and stimulants, or medicines that contain precursors exceeding a certain concentration level) is totally prohibited and you will not be given permission to bring them into Japan under any circumstances.
Yakkan Shoumei
If you wish to import a larger quantity of prescription medicines, it is necessary to apply in advance of travel to the Inspection and Guidance Section of the Bureau of Health and Welfare under the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for an import permit called a Yakkan Shoumei. With this permit, you will be able to bring as much medicine as you would need to last you the time you are planning to be in Japan.
Please be aware that breaches of the rules relating to importing medicines are taken very seriously, and you risk arrest and prosecution if you are found to have imported medicines that are illegal in Japan or even legal medicines in quantities that you do not have prior approval for.
Some examples:
American Teacher Arrested Adderall Medication in Japan (February 2015)
Toyota Executive Is Arrested in Japan (June 2015)
The best way to know if the medicine which you would like to bring to Japan is legal, or to find out if it or a suitable alternative is available in Japan, would be to contact a hospital with English-speaking staff directly for confirmation.
Please be aware that breaches of the rules relating to importing medicines are taken very seriously, and you risk arrest and prosecution if you are found to have imported medicines that are illegal in Japan or even legal medicines in quantities that you do not have prior approval for.
Some examples:
American Teacher Arrested Adderall Medication in Japan (February 2015)
Toyota Executive Is Arrested in Japan (June 2015)
The best way to know if the medicine which you would like to bring to Japan is legal, or to find out if it or a suitable alternative is available in Japan, would be to contact a hospital with English-speaking staff directly for confirmation.
Apply for a Yakkan Shoumei
If you do indeed need to obtain a Yakkan Shoumei permit you will need to apply by post at least three weeks in advance of travel. However, it is much easier and faster to apply by e-mail (you can apply in English), although we still advise applying at least two weeks ahead of your flight.
To do so follow the instructions below:
1. Send list of medications to the Pharmaceutical Inspector of the Inspection and Guidance Section of the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare corresponding to your arrival location to check that they are legal in Japan.
2. Once you have cleared that the medications are legal, the Pharmaceutical Inspector should send through the application in their reply e-mail. Please submit the application form provided by replying.
Please keep in mind the following points:
3. After that you will receive your Yakkan Shomei by e-mail. Please make sure you have your Yakkan Shomei with you at the arrival airport, and we strongly recommend carrying all related prescriptions from your home country with you as well.
To do so follow the instructions below:
1. Send list of medications to the Pharmaceutical Inspector of the Inspection and Guidance Section of the Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare corresponding to your arrival location to check that they are legal in Japan.
- [email protected] for Narita or Haneda International Airport arrivals
- [email protected] for Kansai, Chubu or Fukuoka International Airport arrivals
- [email protected] for Naha Airport arrivals
2. Once you have cleared that the medications are legal, the Pharmaceutical Inspector should send through the application in their reply e-mail. Please submit the application form provided by replying.
Please keep in mind the following points:
- One set of application forms (the “Import Report of Medication” and the “Explanation of Pharmaceutical Products” is required per medication.
- A prescription or direction for medicines with doctor’s signature copy is required per medication.
- A travel itinerary with your name is required.
3. After that you will receive your Yakkan Shomei by e-mail. Please make sure you have your Yakkan Shomei with you at the arrival airport, and we strongly recommend carrying all related prescriptions from your home country with you as well.
For Inquiries
Kanto-Shin’etsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare
TEL: +81-48-740-0800 (048-740-0800 from within Japan)
E-mail: [email protected]
TEL: +81-48-740-0800 (048-740-0800 from within Japan)
E-mail: [email protected]
More Information
Please see the following websites for more detailed information:
- Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare – Information for those who are bringing medicines for personal use into Japan
- Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare – Q&A for those who are bringing medicines into Japan
- Narcotics Control Department – Entering Japan Carrying Narcotics
Nutrition
Don’t be fooled into all Japanese food = healthy! Ramen, tonkatsu, and karaage are actually pretty unhealthy so try not to eat them too much!
How do I keep my iron up without steak?!
- Pork, chicken, seafood, or why don’t you try tofu?
- Green vegetables (beans, spinach, leafy veggies)!
- Dried fruits, nuts and seeds.
- Add a can of beans or an egg to your meal.
- DARK CHOCOLATE!
- Try eating Vit C rich foods (like OJ or broccoli) at the same time to increase the chances of the iron being absorbed into your body.
How to eat more vegetables:
Don’t like veggies you say? Most vegetables flavor profile and texture can change depending on how their cooked and what you cook them with!
- Add vegetables to easy to cook meals like nabe, curry, stir fry, yakisoba or pasta. Try adding:
- Eggplant, zucchini, peppers, peas,
snow peas, mushrooms, carrots,
okra and any leafy vegetables!
- Eggplant, zucchini, peppers, peas,
- Equipment:
- Microwavable steamer
- Frying pan
- Cook them in your toaster oven
- Splurge on a nabe pot for ¥2-3000
Home comforts:
Check out the Gifu Bulletin for easy to cook recipes in Japan from your Gifu peeps!
If you're lucky, you might have a Costco, Kaldi or other international store near you which you can hit up when you're craving something from home. If not, fear not! There are lots of online stores you can use to get the foods you're craving delivered to your door. Check out these websites:
The Flying Pig
An independent wholesaler of Costco goods.
The Meat Guy
High quality meat products, from Italian sausage to kangaroo loin.
Foreign Buyers Club
Foreign foods and products, mostly from America.
iHerb
Herbs, supplements, vitamins, and health foods.
If you can't access any of the above stores or websites, you can still cook up some western meals that are easy to prepare just using ingredients from your local supermarket:
If you're lucky, you might have a Costco, Kaldi or other international store near you which you can hit up when you're craving something from home. If not, fear not! There are lots of online stores you can use to get the foods you're craving delivered to your door. Check out these websites:
The Flying Pig
An independent wholesaler of Costco goods.
The Meat Guy
High quality meat products, from Italian sausage to kangaroo loin.
Foreign Buyers Club
Foreign foods and products, mostly from America.
iHerb
Herbs, supplements, vitamins, and health foods.
If you can't access any of the above stores or websites, you can still cook up some western meals that are easy to prepare just using ingredients from your local supermarket:
- Pasta (add lots of veggies)
- Burgers (heaps of salad and lather on the avocado)
- Tacos (Valor now sells Old El Paso hard shell taco kits, salsa and kidney beans)
Heatstroke in Japan - 熱中症
Heatstroke (熱中症ーねっちゅうしょう) is a big deal in Japan. Anyone who has experienced a Japanese summer knows that it does not come to play and Gifu summers are absolutely no exception. Thus, I thought I should give you the common sense info you need to help prevent yourself succumbing to the stifling heat.
Firstly, some facts. Tajimi city in the Tono region once held the record for highest temperature recorded in Japan (a downright silly 40.7 degrees Celsius) which was reached in August of 2007. This temperature was surpassed however last year by a town in Kochi Prefecture.
In 2010 over 25,000 people reported cases of heatstroke and 1,700 deaths occurred from the condition.
Almost twice as many men as women report heatstroke and the risk is far increased for those who engage in strenuous physical activities, the elderly and children.
Firstly, some facts. Tajimi city in the Tono region once held the record for highest temperature recorded in Japan (a downright silly 40.7 degrees Celsius) which was reached in August of 2007. This temperature was surpassed however last year by a town in Kochi Prefecture.
In 2010 over 25,000 people reported cases of heatstroke and 1,700 deaths occurred from the condition.
Almost twice as many men as women report heatstroke and the risk is far increased for those who engage in strenuous physical activities, the elderly and children.
So how may heatstroke be prevented?
- Drink plenty of water. Heat stroke occurs when your body temperature rises sharply. Water and the sweat it produces have a cooling effect on the body and help slow or reverse this increase in body temperature. 1-2 liters per day is advised.
- Avoid strenuous exercise in sweltering heat. Strenuous exercise increases body temperature rapidly. If you watch the news you will realize quickly a lot of the cases of heat stroke come from children collapsing at school sports days (Has no one thought to have them in the winter?)
- Avoid caffeinated and alcoholic drinks. Caffeinated drinks and alcoholic drinks cause you to naturally dehydrate and are thus, your enemy in the fight against heatstroke. Another high risk group for heatstroke is the drunken old men category.
- Find the shade. Never leave the shade.
- Finally, leave the fur coat at home. Hats can help in deflecting the sun and of course Uniqlo probably is selling fridges you can wear to keep you cool. Dress for the summer!
The following page from National Broadcaster NHK provides projected temperatures for different blocks of the day and the corresponding risk of heat stroke. In the top right you can select your region of Gifu or even change to any other area you me be traveling to in the archipelago. (NHK Heatstroke Prevention Forecast)
- A temperature of less than 21 is livable according to their estimation
- A temperature of 21-25 requires you to take on extra water
- 25-28 warrants extra resting
- 28-31 warrants a halt to any strenuous exercise (No marathons at this temperature)
- If it is 31 or above you should just stop exercising altogether according to this site
Finally, as non-Japanese we should take extra care to avoid heatstroke given that depending on where we come from we may not be used to these temperatures in our native countries. Especially for the new JETs who have not experienced or acclimatized to the weather here you should be extra careful in ensuring that you are fully braced to tackle the summer.
Dry Skin
Japan’s dry, winter weather and hard, unfiltered water can cause dry and itchy skin.
Dandruff shampoos:
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