Part 3: Symptoms by Body Part (部位別症状 / Bui-betsu Shoujou)
Point to the area on your body while using the phrases below.
Head and Face (頭・顔)
Eyes (目)
Ears, Nose, and Throat (耳・鼻・のど)
Chest (胸)
Important: Chest pain, especially if accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw, may indicate a heart attack. Call 119 immediately.
Abdomen (腹・お腹)
Back and Joints (背中・関節)
Skin (皮膚)
Part 4: Communicating Medical History (既往歴・アレルギーの伝え方)
Japanese doctors will ask about your medical history and allergies. Having this information ready — ideally written down — is extremely helpful.
Allergies
Medical History
Current Medications
Practical tip: Carry your medication in its original packaging or with the prescription label. This gives Japanese doctors the exact drug name, dosage, and prescribing information without any translation needed.
Part 5: At the Pharmacy (薬局 / Yakkyoku)
After your clinic visit, you will likely receive a prescription (*shohousen* / 処方箋) to take to a nearby pharmacy.
Pharmacy Phrases
Common Medications Available Over the Counter in Japan
Part 6: Emergency Phrases (緊急時 / Kinkyuuji)
These phrases may save a life. Learn them or bookmark this page.
Calling for Emergency Help
Emergency Numbers in Japan
Showing This to a Passer-by
If you cannot speak, show this text on your phone to someone nearby:
> 助けてください！救急車を呼んでください！
> *Tasukete kudasai! Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai!*
> "Please help! Please call an ambulance!"
> 私は外国人です。英語が話せる人を呼んでください。
> *Watashi wa gaikokujin desu. Eigo ga hanaseru hito o yonde kudasai.*
> "I am a foreigner. Please call someone who speaks English."
Part 7: Talking with Your Doctor (医師との会話)
Translation Apps and Tools: A Realistic Assessment
Translation technology has improved dramatically. Here is an honest assessment of the options available to you in Japan.
Google Translate
Best for: Real-time camera translation of text (prescription labels, forms, signs), basic phrase lookup.
Strengths: The camera mode (point your phone at text) is remarkably good for medical documents written in Japanese. The conversation mode (tap to speak, it translates both ways) is useful for simple exchanges.
Limitations: Medical terminology is specialized. Machine translation of complex clinical language can produce errors that may lead to misunderstandings. Never use translation apps as a substitute for a qualified interpreter for critical conversations about diagnosis, treatment consent, or surgical procedures.
Offline use: Download the Japanese language pack before your trip so you can use Google Translate without a data connection.
DeepL
Best for: Text translation of longer documents (translating a discharge summary, understanding written instructions).
Strengths: Generally more natural and accurate than Google Translate for written Japanese, particularly for formal language.
Limitations: No camera mode, no voice conversation mode in the free app.
VoiceTra (Voice Translation App)
Best for: Spoken conversation in medical settings. Developed by Japan's National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) specifically for healthcare communication.
Strengths: Designed with medical vocabulary; supports 31 languages; free; works offline for some language pairs.
Limitations: Less well-known outside Japan; interface is somewhat dated.
Medical Interpreter Services
For serious medical situations, professional interpretation is far superior to apps. Options in Japan:
- AMDA International Medical Information Center: 03-5285-8088. Provides telephone medical consultation and interpretation support.
- Hospital interpretation services: Many international hospitals and larger general hospitals have in-house medical interpreters or access to telephone interpretation services. Ask when making your appointment or at admission.
- Local international affairs offices: Many prefectures and cities have multilingual support centers that can assist with medical interpretation — particularly useful in rural areas.
The Most Important Recommendation
The single most effective way to overcome the language barrier in Japanese medical settings is to choose an English-speaking clinic in the first place.
Search for English-speaking hospitals and clinics before your trip, bookmark the results, and save the phone numbers. Having this information ready means that if you do need medical care, you can go directly to a facility where communication is not a barrier — rather than navigating a standard Japanese clinic with phrases and an app.
Preparing a Medical Information Card
One of the most practical things you can do before your trip is to prepare a simple medical information card in Japanese. This takes about 10-15 minutes and can be shown to any medical professional.
What to Include
You can prepare this in advance and save it as an image on your phone for easy access. Several travel health apps also allow you to store this information in a shareable format.
FAQ: Japanese Medical Communication
Q: Is it rude to ask for an English speaker at a Japanese hospital?
A: Not at all. Japanese medical staff understand that foreign visitors may not speak Japanese and will do their best to accommodate your needs. Asking politely (*Eigo o hanaseru kata wa irasshaimasu ka?* / 英語を話せる方はいらっしゃいますか？) is completely appropriate.
Q: What if nobody at the clinic speaks English?
A: Use the camera mode of Google Translate to read forms and signs. Use the conversation mode for basic exchanges. Show written phrases from this guide. For anything complex or critical — diagnosis, treatment consent — ask whether the clinic can access a telephone interpreter service before proceeding.
Q: Can I bring a friend or family member to interpret?
A: Yes, this is perfectly acceptable and often the simplest solution if you are traveling with someone who speaks Japanese.
Q: Is it acceptable to record conversations at a Japanese hospital for later translation?
A: Asking permission first is polite and recommended (*Kiroku shite mo ii desu ka?* / 記録してもいいですか？). Most staff will agree. This can be invaluable for later translation and understanding of your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Q: What do I do if I cannot understand my discharge instructions?
A: Ask for written instructions (*kaite itadakemasu ka?* / 書いていただけますか？). Photograph all documents. Call your insurer's emergency line — many have medical interpretation services available. Contact AMDA (03-5285-8088) for multilingual medical consultation support.
Quick Reference: The 10 Most Important Phrases
If you remember nothing else from this guide, remember these:
- 助けてください！ (*Tasukete kudasai!*) — Help me!
- 救急車を呼んでください！ (*Kyuukyuusha o yonde kudasai!*) — Please call an ambulance!
- ここが痛いです。 (*Koko ga itai desu.*) — It hurts here. [point to area]
- 英語を話せる人はいますか？ (*Eigo o hanaseru hito wa imasu ka?*) — Is there anyone who speaks English?
- アレルギーがあります。 (*Arerugii ga arimasu.*) — I have an allergy. [show your written allergy list]
- 熱があります。 (*Netsu ga arimasu.*) — I have a fever.
- 診断書が必要です。 (*Shindansho ga hitsuyou desu.*) — I need a medical certificate.
- 領収書をください。 (*Ryoushuusho o kudasai.*) — Please give me a receipt.
- わかりません。 (*Wakarimasen.*) — I do not understand.
- ゆっくり話してください。 (*Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.*) — Please speak slowly.
Language barriers should not stand between you and good medical care in Japan. With some preparation — bookmarked clinics, a medical information card, and a few key phrases — you can navigate even unexpected medical situations with confidence.
The best preparation is to find and bookmark English-speaking hospitals near your destinations before your trip. A little planning goes a long way.