Basic Tools Against Death
Always have two things on you! Residence Card (在留カード ) Kenko Hokensho (Japanese Health
Insurance Card) Given to you by base school Proves you have National
InsuranceNeed it anytime you visit a doctor
Japanese National Health Insurance
Automatically enrolled in National Health Insurance
Cost split between CO and you Payment to the system automatically
deducted from paycheck Insurance covers 70% of costs; you
must pay remaining 30% Not covered: Dental, preventative
health care
Other Basic Tools
Learn Japanese; will improve every aspect of life
Make good relations with your supervisor or co-workers
Make Japanese Friends
PAs and Senpai
Death’s First Challenge
Some kind of medical condition comes up Mystery Constipation
Don’t know what to do
Decide to go to doctor!
Finding a Doctor
Be independent; Look online! http://www.qq.pref.ibaraki.jp Can find specialists and know English level
Ask a coworker for recommendations
Ask a friend (ALT or Japanese)
Ask a PA
When to Go?
No appointments; first come first serve
Be prepared to wait
May take as long as half a day
Pro-tip: Go before opening
Check opening hours and vacation days before going
Sick Leave
ALTs special in having Sick Days Most JTEs use nenkyu if sick
Wake up feeling horrible and can’t teach: Call your supervisor; “I’m sick and going to
see the doctor” Go to the doctor Keep proof you went to doctor to take sick
leave May need Doctor’s certificate (shindansho)
Sick Leave
Cultural differences: The Gaman Spirit
Sick leave can be a big source of tension
Discuss sick leave with your supervisor now
Make use of daikyu and weekends if possible
Going to the Doctor
What you need: Kenko Hokensho (health card) Japanese ability, a person to help,
dictionary Some money
Registering at the clinic Receive a Patient’s Card (shinsatsuken)
Registration can be done in advance to
make things easier
Going to the Doctor
After registration; describe problem on form Temperature and blood pressure
Wait…wait....wait some more Doctor examines and gives consultation
Be patient with communication Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Return to waiting room Nurse will call, you will receive the bill and
pay
Filling Prescriptions
Small pharmacy next to clinic or hospital dispensary
Give person at front desk both Hokensho and prescription
Receive medication and directions
May have 3 or 4 different medicines Mix of western and eastern medicine Different forms of medicine; pills, powders, pellets
Pay your 30% (a few 1000¥)
Death’s First Challenge
Take medicine, after a few days everything better again
If needed return to clinic; remember to take Hokensho and Patient’s Card
Score: You 1 Death 0
Death’s Second Challenge
Eat a cookie with macadamia nuts… Severe nut allergy!!
Emergency medical care!!
Emergency Care
Hospitals have more rigid hours
Absolutely need medical attention Call your supervisor or friend or co-worker
Call 119 for ambulance (see what they did there…)
“Kyukyusha-onegaishimasu, say your address”
Triage and then to hospital if needed
Score: You 2 Death 0
Death’s Third Challenge
Running down stairs Trip and fall
Broken bone? Other large accident or injury?
What to do with a serious accident or when a more complicated medical procedure is required?
Surgery and Hospitalization
Need another person to sign forms with you Kyoto-sensei or Supervisor
Be prepared to pay a reasonable sum upfront
Save all receipts and forms
JET Accident Insurance
JET Accident Insurance
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance
Covers the additional 30%
Call and inform them you had an accident
Get doctor’s certificate or have him complete forms
“Rescuer coverage; up to three people Hospitalized for 3 days or more
Life Continues
Surgery is successful
Get “Recovery leave” 20 consecutive days from when you start
Return to work; after a month can walk again
Better luck next time Death!
Go celebrate with friends; drink a little too much
Very questionable hookup… Is Death trying to get you again?
Getting Tested
Free anonymous testing at public health centers (hokenjo) Questionable English levels
Abundance of clinics used to foreigners in Tokyo Might not be free (¥ 5000 -¥ 8000) http://www.hivkensa.com/ Japan HIV Center
Rapid test less common than standard test (results after a week
Taigan no Kaji
Get test results; All clean You 4 Death 0
“Problems exist other places but not here…”
Make Japanese significant other
Member of strange cult!!
Deep depression!
Mental Health
Professional not as available
AJET Peer Support Group (PSG) 050 5534 5566
CLAIR JETline 03 5213 1729
Tokyo English Life Line (TELL) 03 5774 0992
PAs trained in counseling as well
Annual Medical Check
Mandatory
Around Summer Vacation
Eyes, Ears, Weight, Height
Urine and Blood Tests
Chest X-ray and stomach poking
Results confidential for the most part