Starting in fiscal 2026, the amount of medical debt that is included as a condition for entry into Japan will be reduced from “200,000 yen or more” (about $1,300) to “10,000 yen or more” (about $64). At the same time, the scope of foreigners registered in the database will also be expanded to prevent non-payment of medical expenses.
According to a VNA reporter in Tokyo, the above plan of the Government was discussed at the Committee in charge of policy towards foreigners of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), headed by Mr. Shindo Yoshitaka on November 26.
The solution to tighten this regulation comes from the current situation where many foreign tourists get sick or injured during their stay in Japan, are treated at medical facilities but do not pay all the expenses. According to current regulations, foreigners with debts of over 200,000 yen will have their information collected from medical facilities by the Ministry of Health , Labor and Welfare and registered in the system, and shared with the Immigration and Residence Authority as one of the conditions for considering granting a visa to enter Japan. However, from fiscal year 2026, it is expected that debts of just over 10,000 yen may also be included in the entry denial list.
In addition, the Japanese government is also considering requiring foreigners to purchase private health insurance before entering the country.
Foreigners staying for medium and long terms are also expected to be managed under this system from fiscal 2027. Accordingly, if foreigners owe medical treatment fees, the government may take measures such as not approving an extension of stay or refusing to allow re-entry after leaving Japan.
The Immigration and Residence Management Agency and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan also plan to establish a mechanism for sharing information on tax and social insurance arrears of foreigners. The information linkage system between ministries developed by the agency in charge of digitalization will be used to reflect the debt status in the residence status review process. Information on national health insurance arrears will also be shared. According to a survey by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan in over 150 cities in many localities across the country, the national health insurance premium payment rate of foreigners is only 63%, much lower than the average of 93% (including Japanese).
According to new regulations, foreigners staying for more than 3 months are required to join national health insurance if they do not participate in health insurance provided by their workplace.
Previously, the Japanese government established a Council of Ministers on Foreigners' Acceptance Policy and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed to complete the basic guidelines by around January 2026. In addition to tightening regulations related to illegal residents and entry regulations for foreigners, the government will also strengthen control over real estate purchases by foreigners.
Source: https://baolamdong.vn/nhat-ban-siet-chat-cac-quy-dinh-nhap-canh-doi-voi-nhung-nguoi-no-phi-chi-tra-y-te-405545.html
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