24/04/2024
News Article
Japan's Healthcare Appeal: The Rise of Medical Tourism
As the pandemic eases up, more tourists are coming back to Japan. Some are "medical tourists" who come for checkups and treatments at Japan's modern hospitals. This is a growing trend that comes with some challenges.
Most Japanese people do not go abroad for medical reasons because Japan has good and affordable healthcare. However, with the Internet and better travel options, more people are traveling for medical reasons. In 2022, the global market for medical tourism was worth about $97.3 billion.
Matsushima Takanori, from JTB, a travel agency in Japan, says that people travel for medical care because some countries have high medical costs, while others do not have enough medical care. This is why many people also go to countries, like Thailand and Malaysia, for procedures, like dental work.
JTB saw an opportunity in this and started helping people who wanted medical care in Japan in 2010. Now, they work with over 350 medical facilities.
Japan has a lot to offer in terms of healthcare, like advanced technology and skilled staff. But, there are challenges, like language barriers and the high cost for foreigners who do not have Japanese health insurance. JTB's Japan Medical and Healthcare Center helps patients overcome these challenges by helping with things, like reservations and finding interpreters.
In short, more and more people are coming to Japan for medical reasons, and it is not just because of the sights and culture. Despite the challenges, companies, like JTB, and the Japanese government are working to make it easier for them.
Min. A.B Lawrence