🏥 Flood victims can see a doctor without an insurance card

❓ What's the measure?

On August 21, 2026, the Japan Health Insurance Association (JHIA, "Kyokai Kenpo") announced that people affected by the heavy rain of July 17–18, 2026 can receive medical treatment even without their My Number insurance card or Certificate of Eligibility (shikaku kakuninsho). This covers people who evacuated leaving the card at home, or whose card was lost or damaged by flooding. At the hospital or clinic reception desk, simply state four things — (1) your full name, (2) date of birth, (3) contact details such as a phone number, and (4) the name of the company you work for — and you will be treated at your normal cost-sharing rate. Previously, eligibility was confirmed by presenting a physical insurance card. Paper health insurance cards were abolished in 2026, and eligibility is now confirmed via the My Number insurance card or a Certificate of Eligibility. Because neither is easy to carry out during an emergency evacuation, this verbal-declaration exception was set up. It applies to residents of municipalities designated under the Disaster Relief Act — for this rain event, Ashikaga City in Tochigi Prefecture. The current list of designated municipalities is published on the Cabinet Office website.

👥 Who is covered?

• ●People insured by Kyokai Kenpo (employees of small and medium-sized companies) and their dependents who were affected by this heavy rain
• ●Anyone who evacuated leaving their My Number insurance card or Certificate of Eligibility at home, or lost it to flooding
• ●Disaster victims living or staying in a municipality designated under the Disaster Relief Act (Ashikaga City, Tochigi for this event)
• ●Foreign workers in the affected area and their families — the same treatment applies regardless of residence status, as long as you are enrolled in Kyokai Kenpo

🌏 Impact on foreign residents

When disaster strikes, insurance documents are often left behind along with your residence card and bankbook. If you assume "no My Number insurance card means no hospital" and put off treatment, your health can deteriorate quickly in evacuation conditions. Knowing this measure means you can be treated normally by giving just four pieces of information at the desk. The item that trips up foreign residents most is the name of your employer. Save your company's name on your smartphone in Japanese characters as well as romaji, so you can state it accurately. The same treatment applies to a spouse or children enrolled as your dependents. If explaining in Japanese worries you, ask someone from your workplace to join by phone, or use your municipality's multilingual consultation desk. Note that travellers and others not enrolled in Japan's public health insurance are not covered by this measure — check with your insurer whether your travel insurance applies.