#Japan #Sendai #Mediengine #Travelers Hospital #Foreign Tourists

Introduction

Mediengine Inc. has announced a groundbreaking initiative to enhance healthcare access for foreign visitors in Japan by launching its online multilingual medical service, 'Travelers Hospital' (known as 'とらほす' in Japanese), in collaboration with Sendai City. This innovative service will be implemented in selected hotels across Sendai and aims to provide comprehensive medical support for international tourists who may experience health issues during their travels.

What is 'Travelers Hospital'?

'とらほす' is a comprehensive healthcare support service designed for foreign tourists who encounter health problems while traveling. The platform enables accommodation facilities to offer swift and precise medical assistance. Key features of the service include:

• - Online Consultations with Multilingual Physicians: Visitors can access doctors who can speak multiple languages, ensuring that language barriers do not hinder access to care.
• - Same-Day Prescription Handling and Delivery: Patients can receive medications promptly, further facilitating their healthcare experience.
• - Guidelines for Accommodation Facilities: Hotels will get manuals to assist foreign guests effectively.
• - Collaboration with Local Healthcare Institutions: The service links with regional hospitals and clinics, including university hospitals, to provide a comprehensive healthcare network.

The goal is to eradicate the 'language barrier' and the hesitation to seek medical care, allowing tourists to confidently access Japan's renowned healthcare services 24/7.

Background of the Initiative

The surge in foreign tourists visiting rural cities in Japan has emphasized the need for improved medical support systems outside major metropolitan areas like Tokyo and Osaka. Unfortunately, many local healthcare facilities lack the capacity to provide multilingual services or have experience managing international patients. To address these challenges, a cohesive network involving various stakeholders is critical to developing this community collaboration model.

Through this proof of concept, the emphasis will be on fostering partnerships between local stakeholders, accommodation facilities, online medical services, pharmacies, and healthcare providers, thereby creating a new 'regional collaboration model' tailored for foreign travelers in Sendai.

Implementation Details and Proof of Concept Period

Implementation Plan:

• - Introduction of 'とらほす' at participating hotels, including diagnostic QR codes and medication delivery information.
• - Medical Services: Conducting online consultations with multilingual physicians, utilizing AI to streamline communication.
• - Collaboration: Depending on the diagnosis, arrangements for medication delivery or referrals to local healthcare facilities will take place.

Participating Hotels (in no particular order):

• - Koyo Grand Hotel
• - Ohshu Akiu Onsen Rantei
• - Sendai International Hotel
• - Hotel Metropolitan Sendai
• - Hotel Monterey Sendai
• - Hotel Zuiho

Proof of Concept Duration: The trial program will run until the end of February 2026, with the possibility of extension based on circumstances.

Target Service Users: This initiative specifically targets foreign guests staying at the aforementioned facilities who may struggle with accessing Japanese-speaking medical services.

How to Use the Service:
1. Upon checking in or reporting health issues, hotel staff will provide materials containing a QR code with 'とらほす' information.
2. If feeling unwell, customers scan the QR code to access the 'とらほす' service page.
3. Visitors follow the site instructions to apply for medical consultation and complete payment.
4. A URL for the online consultation is sent via email, allowing guests to consult a physician via their smartphones.
5. Following the assessment, 'とらほす' will guide the patient on medication delivery or arrange an in-person consultation based on their needs. Note that medication delivery is only available in certain locations, including Tokyo.
6. After service completion, 'とらほす' may provide necessary information back to the accommodation facility.

About Mediengine Inc.

Mediengine Inc., based in Minato, Tokyo, is a leading company focused on healthcare for foreign visitors. It has developed a multilingual healthcare platform, 'とらほす (Travelers’ Hospital)', ensuring a collaborative approach involving physicians, interpreters, and pharmacies to streamline medical access for foreign tourists. The service is available in multiple languages, including English, Chinese, and Korean, and has been adopted by over 300 hotels, inns, and tourism operators across Japan. With the mission 'To provide the same peace of mind as at home, even while traveling', Mediengine aims to create a robust infrastructure that allows foreign visitors to access quality healthcare in Japan confidently.

Mediengine Official Site
Travelers Hospital Overview
For inquiries about the 'とらほす' service: [email protected]

About Sendai City

This proof of concept project is part of Sendai City's initiative to promote healthcare startup verification through its 'Sendai Healthcare Startup Proof Initiative'. This project supports startups nationwide in solving challenges within healthcare and nursing through digital services and solutions. By collaborating closely with local medical institutions, nursing facilities, and venture capitalists, the initiative aims to cultivate startups that can thrive across the country via practical implementations in Sendai’s healthcare and nursing sectors.

Sendai Healthcare Startup Page