General Medicine in Japan

General medicine focuses on the diagnosis and nonsurgical treatment of diseases of the internal organs. A medical doctor who specializes in general medicine is usually called a general medicine doctor or a general physician (GP). Although they mostly treat adults, they may also treat adolescents and children. They treat all medical conditions, including conditions that affect the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, hematological, or endocrine systems. Some of the most common conditions general medicine doctor can treat include but are not limited to:

• Respiratory system, including lung fibrosis, asthma, pneumonia, and Emphysema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Cardiovascular system, such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease (heart attack, angina).
• The neurological system, such as cerebrovascular accident (strokes), dementia, and epilepsy (seizures).
• Gastrointestinal system, including gastroenteritis and liver disease (such as alcoholic liver disease).
• Hematological, such as anemia.
• Endocrinological, such as pituitary disease, diabetes, and thyroid disease.

A general medicine doctor can arrange a wide range of tests, such as electrocardiogram, blood pressure test, urinalysis (U/A), blood sugar level, and fecal occult blood tests. They may also arrange laboratory investigations, such as blood tests or other fluid samples from other parts of the body. Occasionally, they may also arrange a biopsy for diagnosis, which will be sent to a pathologist for analysis. General medicine doctors can also work with radiologists to use X-rays, MRI, CT scans, or ultrasound, as well as nuclear medicine specialists for certain tests, such as PET scans. They may also refer patients to another specialty for special tests, such as a cardiologist for an angiogram and a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy.

Common procedures or interventions that general medicine doctor perform are as follows:

• Perform clinical examinations of patients to evaluate, diagnose, and monitor the patient’s condition.
• Interpret findings from investigations, such as blood tests, to help reach a diagnosis.
• Use life support skills and emergency procedures, such as defibrillation, when necessary.

How Long Should I Stay in Japan?      

You can leave the medical facility immediately after, plan to stay at least 2 to 5 days in Japan for a follow-up appointment. During the follow-up appointment, your doctor evaluates how your body is responding to treatment or, if you had diagnostic tests, explain the results, and discuss the treatment plan with you. However, if your doctor tells you that no follow-up appointment is necessary, you should be allowed to leave for home on the same day. 

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Recovery time can be different from one person to another, depending on the illness or disease you have and your overall health. You will be advised to take several days off work and avoid strenuous activities to allow your body to recover. Your doctor will let you know the specific time you can return to work and your normal activity. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your doctor will give you an aftercare instruction tailored to your particular condition, which may include activity restriction and recommended diet. Your doctor may likely prescribe medicine as well. It is important to take the medicine as directed and follow all the instructions closely. They will also let you know if you need follow-up appointments. For certain illnesses, they may refer you to a specific specialist.

What's the Success Rate?

For many people, general medicine is the first point of treatment. It has a high success rate in diagnosing and treating many conditions, as well as referring patients to the relevant specialist for specialized treatments. Experienced and skilled general medicine doctors can learn a great deal by simple observation. Looking at hands, nails, skin, mouth, and eyes, as well as examining your lungs, heart, and abdomen can give them some clues and help them decide on the most appropriate tests to undertake to confirm their clinical suspicions. 

Are there Alternatives?

The alternatives depend on your condition. For example, you should be able to see a cardiologist for heart conditions without talking to your general medical doctor first. However, in some cases, you may need a referral from your general medical doctor to see other specialists.

General Medicine in and around Japan

About Japan

Japan is special in its own way; the culture, food, people, as well as technology are envied by the world over. With old Japan, comes the ancient tradition in the form of a geisha performance, onsen (hot spring) visit in the mountains, tea ceremony, or shrine visit. In contrast, there is modern Japan, full of smart systems and electronics, colorful advertisements and displays, and ultra-modern architecture. In recent years, Japan has become one of the top destinations in the world for oncology treatments and sees many tens of thousands of medical tourists each year. Many of these travel from within the region, including China and Korea, but they are unable to compete with the SE Asian nations with prices. Private hospitals are located across the country, with a particular focus in major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. 25 of these facilities are JCI-accredited, with many offering General Medicine procedures.

Popular Parts of Japan

Located in the Pacific Ocean, Japan is a stratovolcano archipelago. The four largest islands are Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku. With a population of 127 million, 98% are ethnic Japanese. The country perfectly balances traditional with modern technology. Tourists will first see its exceptionally modern face, but after traveling around, they will find many opportunities to connect with the beautiful traditional culture.

• Tokyo is Japan’s capital, one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. It’s a huge metropolis that offers traditional arts and culture, futuristic infrastructures, and good restaurants. The cherry blossoms that bloom in Spring is one of the most popular sights. The soft pink petals are an icon of the country. There is an unlimited choice of shopping, many museums that cover every era of Japanese art history, and even a robot restaurant.
• Kyoto is made of religious architecture, with around 2000 temples and shrines. It moves at a slower pace than any other city in Japan. Filled with samurais, geishas, Zen gardens, and the torii gate, Kyoto is the spiritual center of Japan. The city is also known for its food, head to the Nishiki Market, a four-hundred-year-old local food market that offers a range of national cuisine to modern food from all over the world.
• Osaka, the second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo is known to be the most delicious city. The city is nicknamed “the nation’s kitchen.” Visit Dotonburi to experience the food culture of Osaka. Besides the food, there are numerous attractions that tourists should visit such as Universal Studios Japan, Cup Noodles Museum, Aquarium Kaiyukan, Osaka Castle, and Umeda Sky Building.
• Fukuoka has a welcoming feel with sunny weather and so much to do. It’s made up of two towns, the port city of Hakata and the former castle town of Fukuoka. Visit the impressive Fukuoka Castle, explore the Sumiyoshi-Jinja Shrine, learn history in Kyūshū National Museum, experience the ancient art of calligraphy and origami in Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, and enjoy a calming bath in one of the Onsen hot springs.
• Nagoya is the industrial center of Japan. It’s the birthplace of Toyota and a popular pinball-style game Pachinko. Although many of the historic buildings were destroyed in the air raids of 1945, tourists can still indulge in its culture and tradition. Visit the Nagoya Castle that was reconstructed in 1959, walk around the Atsuta Shrine, or see the history of the automobile in the Toyota Automobile Museum.

Weather and Climate in Japan

Japan has four distinct seasons.

1. Summer starts in June and lasts until August. The temperature can get very hot, up to 40 °C in some places, with high humidity. June is the rainy season where the farmers plant their rice. The rainy season is over in August but the typhoon season starts to peak.
2. Autumn starts in September and ends in November. September has the greatest risk of typhoons. The weather is generally mild. October is pleasantly warm with less humidity than in summer, making it a food time for traveling the country.
3. The temperature will drop in Winter. It lasts from December to February and is usually dry, pleasant, and sunny. The average temperature is around 2°C to 12°C, it rarely drops below 0°C. The northern island of Hokkaido, the Japan Alps, and the Japan Sea coast get a lot of snow while Tokyo gets very little snow.
4. Spring is said to be the best time to visit Japan because of its mild weather and cherry blossoms. The season starts in March and ends in May. The temperature will gradually increase during spring with little rainfall and clear sky.

Getting Around in Japan

The main airport for international tourists is the Narita International Airport. It is located around 60km east of central Tokyo. It serves both domestic and international flights to almost every major city around the globe. There are several budget airlines that operate flights from this airport, namely Jetstar Japan, Eastar Jet, and Peach. There are other international airports such as Kansai International Airport, New Chitose International Airport, and Kyushu Saga International Airport.

To get to Tokyo from Narita Airport, tourists can use the rail, bus, taxi, or car rental. The most affordable train line is the Keisei Line that connects with the Toei Asakusa Subway Line and the Yamanote Line, it costs around ¥1,190 to ¥1,230 ($10 to $11.3). There’s also the Sky Access Express train that offers better access to Tokyo, a trip to Asakusa will cost around ¥1,290 ($11.9) and take about 58 minutes. The quickest way to get to Tokyo will be by the Skyliner train, it takes just 36 minutes to Nippori and will cost around ¥2,470 ($22.7). The airport introduced N’EX Tokyo Round-Trip ticket for foreign passport holders that provides round-trip travel from Narita to Tokyo and back for ¥4,000 ($37) for adults and ¥2,000 ($18.4) for children.

A regular taxi from Narita to Tokyo is very expensive, usually over ¥20,000 ($184). The best option is the shared minibus that starts with ¥6,180 ($57) per person. Buses are usually more affordable, the Limousine Bus costs ¥2,880 ($26.5) and the Tokyo Shuttle costs around ¥900 ($8) to ¥1,000 ($9).

Getting around Japan is fairly easy because the country has excellent public transportation. It is recommended to get a Japan Rail Pass. Japan’s bullet train is fast but expensive. There are cheaper train options. Buses are less expensive but will take more time than trains.

Tourist Visas in Japan

Citizens of 68 countries and territories can enter and stay in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa. Citizens of Indonesia, Brunei, and Thailand are granted a 15-day visa-free trip to Japan. Citizens of the United Arab Emirates are allowed to stay for 30 days without a visa. It is advisable to contact the nearest Consular Section of the Embassy or Consulate General of Japan for more information.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: Yen (¥) is the local currency. $1 will get you ¥11 ¥1,000 is worth approximately $9.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are usually located in post offices and convenient stores. There are only a few branches of major Japanese banks that accept foreign-issued cards. Credit cards are accepted in major cities, but the rural area doesn’t. It’s best to always bring cash and bring a coin purse because everything below ¥500 is coins. Tipping is not mandatory, high-end hotels and restaurants usually add a 10% service fee to the bill.
3. Local Language: The official language is Japanese. English is common in major cities with many tourists such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Tokyo. Some restaurants write their menu in English and Japanese.
4. Local Culture and Religion: The dominant religion in Japan is Shinto and Buddhism. There’s a small group of Christians as well.
5. Public Holidays: Japan has sixteen national holidays each year, including Children’s Day, Constitution Memorial Day, and Marine Day. The country hosts numerous annual festivals such as Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, Awa Odori in Tokushima, and Yuki Matsuri Snow Festival in Sapporo.