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English & Multilingual Support

Free services and resources for finding English-speaking doctors, translators, and medical help in Japan.

Free Phone Support

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AMDA International Medical Information Center

Free multilingual medical consultation by phone. Can help find English-speaking doctors near you, explain hospital procedures, and answer insurance questions.

scheduleMon–Fri 9:00–17:00translateEnglish, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Thai, and more

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Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO)

050-3816-2787

Japan National Tourism Organization's free hotline. Provides general assistance including medical emergencies, hospital guidance, and interpreter referral for tourists and visitors.

schedule24 hours / 365 daystranslateEnglish, Chinese, Korean, Japanese

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TELL (Tokyo English Life Line)

03-5774-0992

English-language counseling and mental health support. For anyone in Japan feeling isolated, anxious, or struggling. Not only for Tokyo residents.

scheduleDaily 9:00–23:00translateEnglish

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Yorisoi Hotline (よりそいホットライン)

0120-279-338

Crisis support and general counseling. Especially useful if you are in distress or having mental health difficulties. Multilingual interpreters connected on the line.

schedule24 hours / 365 days — FREEtranslateJapanese, English, Chinese, Korean, and more via interpreter

Websites & Apps

HIMAWARI (ひまわり)

himawari.metro.tokyo.lg.jp

Tokyo Metropolitan Government's multilingual medical consultation. Find English-speaking hospitals and clinics in Tokyo.

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MIC Medical Interpreter Network

mic-japan.org

Non-profit network of certified medical interpreters across Japan. Request a certified interpreter for hospital appointments.

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JMIP (Japan Medical Service Accreditation)

jmip.jp

Searchable list of hospitals certified for international patient care. These hospitals have multilingual staff and foreigner-friendly procedures.

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VoiceTra (ボイストラ)

app download

Free medical translation app by NICT (Japan's national research institute). Supports 31 languages. Specifically designed for medical consultations in Japan.

Practical Tips

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Before your appointment, write your symptoms in Japanese using the Phrases page in this app.

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Search Google Maps for "English speaking clinic [your city]" or "インターナショナルクリニック" to find foreigner-friendly facilities.

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University hospitals in major cities (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya) often have international patient departments with English-speaking staff.

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Use Google Translate's camera mode to read forms and medicine packaging in real time.

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If using a hospital interpreter service, book it in advance — same-day interpretation is not always available.