The proposals come in response to growing concern that some visitors are receiving treatment and then leaving the country without paying, forcing Japanese hospitals – and by extension taxpayers – to absorb the costs.
According to a study by the health ministry, 11,372 foreign nationals sought medical treatment at about 5,500 hospitals across Japan last September. Around 0.8 per cent failed to settle their bills, resulting in unpaid charges totalling more than 61 million yen (US$425,000), the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Thursday.
As a stopgap measure, the ministry is expected to begin sharing information about foreign visitors with unpaid medical debts with immigration authorities. This could allow officials to stop individuals from departing the country until they pay, or flag them for possible detention should they attempt to re-enter Japan.
Authorities are also looking at long-term deterrents, including requiring all incoming tourists to carry health insurance that covers medical emergencies during their stay.
