Key Facts
• December 24, 2025: Government considers mandatory private medical insurance for foreign visitors.
• New system, Japan Electronic Travel Authorization (JESTA), aims for 2028 implementation.
• JESTA modeled after the U.S. ESTA, includes pre-travel online screening and fees.
• September 2024: Foreign visitor unpaid medical bills totaled approximately ¥61.35 million.
• Annual unpaid medical costs exceed ¥700 million, prompting stricter policies.
• June 2025: Ruling party proposed mandatory insurance to address unpaid medical bills.
• December 24, 2025: Ruling party discusses foreigner policy reforms, including land purchase rules and language programs.
Summary
The Japanese government is considering requiring foreign visitors to purchase private medical insurance as part of the Japan Electronic Travel Authorization (JESTA) system, set for 2028. JESTA, inspired by the U.S. ESTA, will screen travelers from visa-exempt countries online before arrival. This measure addresses rising unpaid medical bills by foreign visitors, which reached ¥61.35 million in September 2024 alone, with annual losses exceeding ¥700 million. In June 2025, the ruling party urged the government to mandate insurance to mitigate these costs. On December 24, 2025, the party reviewed broader foreigner policy reforms, including land purchase regulations and Japanese language programs.
