#Japan #Tokyo #HomeCareSystem #UniversalHealth #MedicalReform

Addressing the Shortcomings of Japan's Home Medical Care System

On February 5, 2026, a significant conference was held in Nagatacho, Tokyo, organized by the "Association to Protect the People through Home Treatment." This event brought together various stakeholders in the field of home acupuncture and massage treatment services, including the Japan Healthcare and Nursing Insurance Association, which operates numerous treatment facilities nationwide. The meeting aimed to discuss pressing issues related to the current healthcare reimbursement system and guidelines with officials from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.

As Japan faces a rapidly aging population, the number of elderly and disabled individuals unable to visit clinics is on the rise. Consequently, home treatment options such as acupuncture and massage have become essential non-pharmaceutical therapies, supporting the home healthcare framework. However, numerous voices from practitioners and patients alike have pointed out that the existing reimbursement structures and guidelines are out of sync with actual practice, leading to significant challenges for both providers and recipients of care.

This situation poses a fundamental issue that affects the core of Japan's universal health insurance system. There are concerns that current practices could infringe upon citizens' rights to medical care and potentially violate the principles established in Article 25 of the Constitution. Participants pointed out that the existing framework could create unconstitutional conditions, indicating an urgent need for legislative reform.

During the meeting, representatives from the Ministry revealed potential directions for future guideline revisions concerning home medical care. Participants shared extensive insights into the deficiencies of the current system and underscored how these issues could lead to potential violations of citizens' rights. The discussions encompassed state-sanctioned discrepancies, which could ultimately lead to a detrimental impact on care delivery.

Key Requests Presented

• - Revision of the criteria for billing treatments within the same building, shifting from a clinic-based standard to a practitioner-based standard, or a justified increase in current charges.
• - A rise in reimbursement rates that take into account spiraling prices and wage increases.
• - Transparency from the Ministry regarding corrective measures related to reimbursement issues and consent forms.
• - Adequate guidance for insurance providers that do not uniformly apply coverage for acupuncture, an example of possible legal violations.
• - Establishing a comprehensive fee system for massage services based on the total charges for five treatment areas under current practices.

In a statement during the meeting, Hidetaka Hayashi, President of the Japan Healthcare and Nursing Insurance Association, expressed, "Home treatment is a vital medical infrastructure enabling citizens to continue living in their familiar communities. If the system does not reflect real-world conditions, it is ultimately the public that suffers. This is a fundamental issue that could destabilize the essence of our universal health insurance system, bearing crucial implications for the rights to survival and medical access enshrined in our Constitution. Legislative support for necessary reforms already exists, and we will continue to amplify the voices from the field."

Similarly, Jiro Aichi, President of the Japan Nursing Business Association, noted, "The sustainability of home treatment as a system is directly linked to the stability of nursing and welfare fields. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive system that spans both medical and nursing institutions. If the flaws in the system are ignored, it will jeopardize local healthcare as a whole."

Moving forward, the Association to Protect the People through Home Treatment pledges to maintain ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Health, working tirelessly towards realizing a system that ensures all citizens can receive necessary treatments equally.

Organizational Overview

• - Name: Japan Healthcare and Nursing Insurance Association
• - Location: 6F BIT Building, 2-30-12 Minami Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo
• - Contact: Takahashi, TEL: 03-6903-0960

Previous Press Releases

The actions taken by the Association have attracted considerable attention with mentions in various outlets including Nikkei, Chūnichi Shimbun, and Toyokeizai Online, among many others.