Medical Services & Counseling

Sophia the Health and Wellbeing Center is located at the Yotsuya Campus and provides consultation service mainly on Internal Medicine and Mental Health. Information on English-speaking doctors is also available.
The Counseling Services located on the Campus also provides assistance in dealing with concerns such as students life, relationships, mental and emotional health, etc. both in English and Japanese.

Navigating Healthcare in Japan: Information for Individuals with Significant Illnesses or Conditions

There are only a limited number of medical institutions in Japan where exchange students can receive appropriate medical care in English. If you are currently receiving medical treatment, please prepare an English referral letter from your doctor in preparation for medical treatment and prescriptions in Japan. Even if you are not planning to receive treatment or prescriptions in Japan, it is very important to prepare an English referral letter from your doctor so that you can immediately visit a medical institution in case of stress caused by environmental changes or an emergency.
Please refer to the following for the contents of the referral letter.

In addition, there are some drugs and supplements that are legal in your home country, but illegal to possess in Japan.

If you are taking any drugs or supplements, please check before traveling to Japan at  Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare  (MHLW) website, including reviewing FAQ .
Some of you may have already been in contact with us, but please double-check on your own responsibility. Sophia University will not be held responsible for any accidents that may arise from this matter.

Please be aware that except for self-injections like insulin, Japanese medical institutions cannot use medications brought from overseas for injection treatments.

A referral letter written in English should include the following points:
1.Diagnosis name
2.Current symptoms
3.Progress since the onset of the disease and
4.Details of treatment (Incl. Prescription medicines / Prescription dosage of medicine)
5.Important aspects related to the patient’s medical condition
※Referral letter: A letter from a doctor to another medical professional or medical service.

Immunization & Medication Notice

Medication Notice

There are medications that are legal in your home country but illegal to possess in Japan.  
You are responsible to check if the medicine you wish to bring with you is allowed to possess or not.  Sophia University cannot be responsible for any incidents which may arise due to this matter. 

If you are to bring medicine to Japan, you may need to apply for a “Yakkan Shoumei (Certification of Pharmaceutical Inspect) “. (Note: for prescription medicine and psychotropic medicines, please pay particular attention)  
Also, please note that there may be a limit to the amount you could bring into Japan, depending on the medicine.
For more information on how to apply for the “Yakkan Shomei” and the amount limit of the medicine, please check this website and go through necessary procedures before coming to Japan. 
You could also contact the Pharmaceutical Inspector by e-mail (the email address is available on the above website) if you have any questions about your medicine. 

If you have any health concerns and want to receive continue treatment during your stay in Japan, we strongly advise you to consult with your home doctor about your studying abroad. Also, please make sure to bring with you an English written referral provided by your physician so that you can receive treatment smoothly in case of an emergency. 
Depending on your situation, the Wellness Center at Sophia University may be able to give you further advice.

Immunization

To ensure the health and safety of students at Sophia campus, prospective students are strongly advised to get vaccinations against not only COVID-19, but also Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Chicken Pox. 
A vaccinated journey, a joyful stay in Japan (Notice from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Protect yourself from Insect bites

In Japan, mosquitoes are common during the summer months. To protect yourself from Insect bites, please refer to the following leaflet.
Protect yourself from Insect bites.pdf

Insurance

Health Insurance （National Health Insurance）

All exchange students are required to enroll in the Japanese National Health Insurance.

This insurance covers a portion of medical expenses incurred at hospitals and clinics in Japan. Students are generally responsible for 30% of the medical costs, while the remaining 70% is covered. The monthly premium varies depending on where students live in Japan. It is typically around ¥1,000–¥3,000 per month.

Students are required to complete the enrollment procedures after arrival in Japan at their local city or ward office. Detailed instructions will be provided during the orientation. After enrollment, students must submit a copy of their National Health Insurance card to the Center for Global Education and Discovery for emergency purposes.

Personal Accident Insurance

Sophia University requires all exchange students to enroll in the “Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research.” This insurance covers physical injuries caused by sudden, accidental, and external events that occur while students participate in educational and research activities at the university, including attending classes, participating in university events, engaging in extracurricular activities reported to the university, staying on campus for related purposes, and commuting to and from the university.
Please note that illnesses are not covered by this insurance.

From April 2026, the total fee for this insurance will be 1,000 yen per student for one year.
This amount includes the insurance premium (800 yen) and an administrative fee for the insurance registration (200 yen).

The insurance will be arranged by the university, and the fee will be collected at the exchange student orientation.

Study Abroad Insurance

In addition, exchange students are strongly recommended to obtain study abroad or travel insurance in their home country before coming to Japan. This insurance should cover support and emergencies not included in Japanese insurance, such as emergency assistance, personal liability, travel issues, and other non-medical expenses, throughout the exchange period.