Japan healthcare costs rise amid medical cap changes and transport burdens

Elderly residents in Japan face rising financial pressures due to increasing medical and transportation costs. While there is no nationwide subsidy for taxi fares used for hospital visits, many municipalities offer independent support systems. Examples include taxi fare subsidies for seniors aged 75 and older in Koga City, Ibaraki, and assistance for those with nursing care certifications in Noda City, Chiba, and Miyoshi City, Aichi.

Beyond transportation, broader changes to the healthcare system are expected to increase personal medical burdens. Revisions to the high-cost medical expense benefit system (Kogaku Ryoyohi) scheduled for August 2026 and 2027 will raise the upper limits of out-of-pocket payments, potentially affecting approximately 80% of the 8.21 million people currently utilizing the system. Additionally, starting March 2027, a new 'partial non-insured medical care' system will exclude certain drugs similar to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines from insurance coverage, likely increasing prescription costs.