Abstract
Before we talk about adequate medical care for non-Japanese, we must consider just how adequate and accepting the system itself is to guarantee it. Japan still has difficulty seeing non-Japanese as residents, immigrants, and taxpayers, and even the highest levels of government operates under the assumption that “foreigners will come here, make money working for our industries, and then just leave”. It is not that long ago when government agencies were saying that “non- Japanese don't qualify for Kokumin Kenkou Hoken--they aren't Kokumin”, or citizens. I have also heard of doctors refusing to treat non-Japanese because they thought it would be too much of a nuisance, and mental health institutions telling non-Japanese to go back to their own countries for treatment. Of course, I generally hear about good treatment in Japan as well, but there is room for improvement. The biggest step is to pass a law and draw up rules stating that all patients, regardless of nationality or national origin, are guaranteed medical treatment. I will talk about some of the obstacles in Japan to acceptance of non-Japanese residents from the standpoint of a naturalized Japanese citizen.
