The healthcare system in Japan is based on the following principles: universality, equality, solidarity, and responsibility.
The universality and equality of the system means that all Japanese citizens have the right to health care, regardless of their social status or income.
Solidarity means that wealthy citizens must participate in financing the health care system so that less wealthy citizens can have access to the care they need.
Responsibility means that citizens must take some responsibility for their own health and the care they receive.
However, due to the unique needs of an aging population , Japan is facing rising healthcare costs.
The Japanese health care system
The challenges posed by Japan’s aging population
Japan’s healthcare system ranks fourth in the world according to the 2014 Bloomberg ranking of the most efficient healthcare systems. It provides quality care to all its citizens. Life expectancy at birth remains very high, at 81 years for men and 85 years for women. Infant mortality is also low (2.13 deaths per 1,000 live births). The mandatory universal health insurance system was introduced in 1961. It is based on professional membership and is financed by government subsidies, employer and union dues, and government subsidies.
The first scheme, called employee health insurance, is managed by the state. Insurance companies may also administer it depending on the size of the company. It covers most private-sector employees. The second, called the public health insurance program, is managed by municipalities and covers the self-employed, the unemployed, and farmers. Prefectures administer the third for people over 75.
A remaining charge of 30%
The plan does not change the amount of medical expenses and care that users will have to pay. It is 30% for children under six and 10% for people over 70 with the lowest incomes.
Primary care is provided by doctor’s offices. This is where general practitioners work alone, but also through a network of small clinics that were once owned by doctors. The next step is hospitals, which are usually government-run and offer specialized care.
According to the OECD’s Health at a Glance 2015 report, Japan’s health spending has grown faster than that of most other OECD countries in recent years. It accounted for 10.2% of GDP in 2013, compared with an average of 8.9% in other countries.
Encourage home care
This situation is explained by the aging of the population, which requires more care, and by a sharp rise in associated pharmaceutical costs. The country faces a major challenge: adapting its system to this aging. To address this problem, several reforms are being implemented. For example, home care is being encouraged to reduce the social cost of long hospital stays.