Whichever service you choose, the overall process is roughly as follows, typically taking 4 to 8 weeks
Submit your basic condition or needs for a feasibility assessment by our advisors
Provide your records — we translate and organize them into Japanese
Records are submitted to the Japanese hospital or specialist for an initial opinion and cost estimate
Confirm your intent to proceed, finalize the appointment, and begin visa assistance
A professional interpreter accompanies you throughout to ensure accurate communication
We translate your medical reports, follow up on your progress, and help arrange any follow-up visits
* The exact process may vary slightly by service — please see the relevant service page or contact our advisors directly.
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Medical treatment in Japan is well suited to patients who: have not seen good results after treatment at multiple hospitals at home; want an independent second opinion from a Japanese specialist; need access to leading Japanese technologies such as proton or heavy-ion therapy; have cancer or another serious illness and are seeking better treatment options; are dealing with infertility and want access to Japan's advanced reproductive medicine; or are seeking regulated stem cell therapy. In general, patients should be physically able to travel internationally and have an adequate medical budget.
Japan has clear strengths in specific areas — particularly gastrointestinal cancer surgery, proton and heavy-ion radiotherapy, immune cell therapy, and regenerative medicine. For gastric cancer, for example, Japan has long had one of the highest five-year survival rates in the world, and its surgical precision and post-operative care for certain cancers also exceed the international average. That said, this doesn't mean Japan is superior in every field — we recommend evaluating your specific condition to judge whether treatment in Japan is right for you, rather than assuming it always is.
It's possible. After an initial review of a patient's medical records, a Japanese hospital may decline to accept a case for reasons such as: the illness has reached a terminal stage, the patient has already received extensive radiotherapy at home making further radiation too risky, or the patient's physical condition cannot tolerate the proposed treatment. That's why MIZUHO PHARMA conducts a preliminary feasibility assessment before formally submitting your records — to help avoid wasted time and expense if treatment in Japan isn't a good fit.
The main differences are: a slower but more thorough pace of care, with Japanese doctors spending more time explaining your condition and treatment options; wider use of multidisciplinary case conferences, where multiple departments jointly develop a treatment plan; greater access to certain advanced therapies (such as proton therapy or specific targeted drugs); stricter patient privacy protection; and generally higher costs, which are typically not covered by insurance from your home country.
No, we can't guarantee that. Medicine has no miracles. What treatment in Japan can offer is: a more authoritative diagnostic opinion, access to treatment options not yet available at home, and a better chance of receiving the optimal treatment plan. For patients with advanced-stage cancer or whose condition has progressed after extensive prior treatment, Japanese hospitals may also be unable to offer a curative treatment — though they may still offer valuable palliative care or access to clinical trials of new drugs. During your consultation, we will honestly relay the Japanese hospital's preliminary assessment rather than making overpromises.
Yes. MIZUHO PHARMA offers a remote second-opinion service — patients don't need to travel to Japan. You simply provide your complete medical records, which we translate and submit to a Japanese specialist for review. The doctor's written opinion is then translated and shared with you. This service is well suited to patients who are still weighing their options, or whose physical condition doesn't currently allow travel.
You'll generally need: ① imaging discs (CT/MRI/PET-CT — original image files are required, not photos of printed reports); ② pathology reports (including tissue type, staging, and related details); ③ recent blood test results; ④ discharge summary or outpatient records; ⑤ prior treatment history (surgical records, chemotherapy regimen, radiation dosage, etc.). The more complete your records, the more accurate the Japanese hospital's initial assessment will be — and the more likely they are to accept your case.
No. MIZUHO PHARMA provides professional medical translation handled by bilingual translators with a medical background, ensuring accurate technical terminology. You only need to provide your original records — we take care of the entire translation and organization process. Please never use online translation tools to translate medical documents yourself; incorrect medical terminology can lead a Japanese hospital to make a mistaken assessment.
In general, Japanese hospitals accept results from reputable hospitals at home, with a few caveats: imaging must be recent (usually within the last 3 months); blood test results must be within 1 month of your visit; and some Japanese hospitals may require repeat testing at your first visit to obtain more precise data, or to complete tests that weren't performed at home. Any costs from repeat testing are the patient's responsibility.
Before you depart, we recommend confirming the following: whether the patient can physically tolerate a flight of 3–5 hours or more plus hospital visits in Japan; packing an adequate supply of any regular medications (Japanese pharmacies may not carry the same brands available at home); letting us know about any dietary needs in advance; for special religious dietary requirements, we will coordinate with the hospital and accommodation ahead of time; and purchasing travel insurance that includes emergency medical coverage.
Yes, and we strongly recommend that at least one family member accompany you. Family members can also apply for a caregiver visa, which MIZUHO PHARMA will help arrange. We generally recommend 1–2 accompanying family members, as larger groups increase accommodation and living costs. Please note that most Japanese hospitals do not allow family members to stay overnight in the patient's room, though daytime visits are permitted.
A few things worth noting: Japanese hospitals maintain strict appointment schedules, so please arrive on time and give several days' notice if you need to reschedule; loud conversation and phone calls are not permitted inside hospitals; cash and credit cards are the primary payment methods in Japan, so it's worth carrying Japanese yen in cash (some hospitals don't accept credit cards); Chinese UnionPay cards are becoming more widely accepted in Japan, but we still recommend carrying an international Visa or Mastercard as backup; and it's a good idea to activate international roaming or rent a pocket Wi-Fi device at the airport.
Costs vary significantly depending on your condition, treatment type, and choice of hospital. As a rough guide: remote second opinion — approx. RMB 10,000–30,000; initial visit in Japan (consultation + tests + treatment plan) — approx. RMB 50,000–150,000; surgical treatment (including hospitalization) — approx. RMB 200,000–600,000; proton/heavy-ion radiotherapy (full course) — approx. RMB 400,000–800,000; stem cell therapy — approx. RMB 100,000–300,000; IVF (single cycle) — approx. RMB 80,000–150,000. These are medical cost estimates only and do not include flights, accommodation, or translation services. MIZUHO PHARMA will provide a detailed cost estimate before you confirm your treatment plan.
In general, Japanese medical costs run about 2–3 times what comparable treatment costs at home, but remain considerably lower than in the United States (roughly one-third of U.S. costs). Note that international patients pay out of pocket in Japan and are not eligible for Japan's national health insurance discount, and some large hospitals charge international patients more than the self-pay rate for Japanese residents. That said, given the level of technology, precision of care, and overall medical environment, treatment in Japan still offers strong overall value for certain conditions.
Basic public health insurance in most countries does not cover treatment received abroad. Some private international health insurance plans include overseas treatment coverage that can reimburse a portion of the cost. We recommend carefully reviewing your insurance policy's terms on overseas treatment, or contacting your insurer directly to confirm coverage, before deciding to travel to Japan. If you have this type of coverage, let us know — we can help provide the official billing documentation from the Japanese hospital needed for your reimbursement claim.
Japanese hospitals generally require international patients to pay a deposit before treatment begins, especially for inpatient care. While in Japan, payment can be made in Japanese yen cash or by international credit card (Visa/Mastercard). For MIZUHO PHARMA's own service fees, we clearly outline the payment method and schedule when you engage our services — there are no hidden charges. Please ask your advisor for the specific fee structure during your consultation.
Beyond medical costs, you should generally budget for: ① round-trip economy flights; ② accommodation (a business hotel in Tokyo generally runs around RMB 500–1,200/night); ③ meals and daily living costs (approx. RMB 200–400/day per person); ④ interpretation services (provided by MIZUHO PHARMA, billed by day or by service); ⑤ any additional testing required by the Japanese hospital; and ⑥ travel insurance. As a general guideline, budget an additional 20–30% of your medical costs for these non-medical expenses.
Medical treatment in Japan requires a Medical Stay short-term visa, allowing a stay of up to 90 days per visit. The key supporting document is a letter of medical acceptance (受診予定書, Jushin Yotei-sho) issued by the Japanese hospital, which MIZUHO PHARMA helps you obtain. Accompanying family members can apply for a caregiver visa using the patient's acceptance letter. If treatment is expected to exceed 90 days, a Designated Activities visa is required instead, and we will guide you through that process.
Visa processing typically takes 5–15 business days. We recommend starting to prepare your visa documents as soon as your hospital appointment is confirmed, allowing at least 3 weeks. Applications supported by a formal letter of acceptance from a hospital generally have a high approval rate. That said, final approval rests with the embassy, and MIZUHO PHARMA cannot guarantee visa approval — please build some buffer time into your travel plans.
The full process typically takes 4–8 weeks: about 1 week for record translation, 5–10 business days for the Japanese hospital's initial assessment, 1–2 weeks to coordinate a formal appointment, and about 2 weeks for the visa. Some of these steps can run in parallel. For urgent cases, MIZUHO PHARMA will prioritize coordination to complete arrangements as quickly as possible. We recommend not waiting until a condition becomes critical to start the process — the earlier you begin, the more options remain available.
MIZUHO PHARMA recommends hotels or short-term rentals near the hospital that are suitable for patients and families, based on the location of your treatment. Inpatients typically stay in the hospital's own patient rooms (which are generally well-equipped and comfortable), while accompanying family stay nearby. For longer treatment courses, a monthly-rate apartment can be a more economical option. We're happy to advise on accommodation options, though booking itself is arranged by the patient.
Yes. If you already have a specific Japanese hospital in mind, let MIZUHO PHARMA know and we will prioritize submitting your records to that hospital and helping arrange an appointment. At the same time, we'll offer our professional opinion on whether that hospital is the best fit for your specific condition, and suggest other suitable options if needed.
Not at all. MIZUHO PHARMA provides professional medical interpretation and accompanies you throughout every appointment, ensuring accurate communication with your Japanese doctors. Our interpreters have a medical background — they can accurately convey not just everyday conversation, but also complex medical concepts and treatment explanations. We recommend against relying on friends or acquaintances without professional training as medical interpreters, as errors in medical terminology can affect treatment decisions.
A typical first visit includes: the doctor reviewing your existing medical records, a detailed discussion of your medical history, any additional tests as needed, a multidisciplinary case discussion, development of a personalized treatment plan, and a detailed explanation of that plan and its expected outcomes. A complete treatment plan may not be available on the same day, as some test results take a few days — please allow enough time during your stay in Japan.
Standard blood test results are usually available the same day or the next day; imaging reports (CT/MRI) generally take 3–7 business days; pathology results take 7–14 business days; and a comprehensive health check report typically takes 2–4 weeks. We recommend confirming result timelines with the hospital when planning your itinerary, so you can allow enough days for your visit.
Japanese hospitals are generally clean, comfortable, and offer meticulous, well-organized nursing care. International patients can usually choose a private room (for an additional fee). Rooms are equipped with basic amenities, and nurses are on duty around the clock. Note that most Japanese hospitals do not allow family members to stay overnight in the patient's room — accompanying family typically arrange their own nearby accommodation. Hospital meals are generally Japanese-style; let us know in advance if you have specific dietary needs.
While you're in Japan, your MIZUHO PHARMA advisor remains reachable and can assist immediately if a medical emergency arises. Japan's emergency medical number is 119, and the police number is 110. We recommend carrying a bilingual card with your key medical information (allergies, current medications) in case you need to provide it to Japanese emergency responders. When purchasing travel insurance, please confirm it includes emergency medical evacuation coverage.
After you return home, MIZUHO PHARMA continues to serve as the communication bridge between you and your Japanese hospital. Some hospitals offer online follow-up consultations or email-based inquiries, which we can help arrange. If you need to return to Japan periodically for follow-up visits, we can help simplify the scheduling process. Any medical reports or medication guidance from your Japanese doctor will be translated and passed along to you promptly.
It's simple. You can reach us by emailing seanzou@mizuho-pharma.com, or by filling out the consultation form on our website. When you first contact us, please briefly describe the patient's condition and what you're hoping to achieve. Our advisors will get back to you within 1–2 business days with an initial assessment and recommendations. Your first consultation is completely free.
MIZUHO PHARMA's service fees are quoted based on the scope of service and the patient's specific situation, covering things like medical record translation, hospital coordination, visa assistance, in-person interpretation in Japan, and post-treatment follow-up support. We provide a transparent quote before formally engaging our services, with no hidden fees. The initial assessment and consultation are always free.
MIZUHO PHARMA maintains partnerships with a range of well-known Japanese medical institutions, including specialty cancer hospitals, major university-affiliated hospitals, regenerative medicine clinics, and fertility specialty hospitals. If you have a specific hospital in mind that isn't part of our regular network, we will still do our best to help coordinate access, drawing on our broader network of contacts across Japan's medical sector.
If your first-choice hospital declines your case, we'll look into the reason and, depending on the circumstances, recommend other hospitals that may be able to accept it, or suggest an adjusted approach (such as starting with a remote second opinion before considering travel). We conduct a feasibility assessment before starting the formal process, to help minimize the risk of wasted time and money due to a declined case.
MIZUHO PHARMA currently provides bilingual services primarily in Mandarin Chinese and Japanese, serving patients from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. English-language consultation is also available — please let us know your language preference when you first contact us.
Absolutely. Any personal information and medical records you provide are used solely to help coordinate your care and will never be disclosed to third parties or used for any other purpose without your authorization. Your records are only shared with the Japanese hospital providing your care, and our translators are bound by confidentiality agreements. If you have any concerns about privacy, please raise them during your consultation and we'll walk you through our data protection practices in detail.
