Japan Begins a New Chapter in Medical Tourism
At Haneda Airport, one of Asia’s busiest international hubs, a new concept in medical travel is quietly taking shape. Without fanfare or aggressive promotion, the initiative opens a new path for visitors arriving in Japan: one that leads not to sightseeing tours or cultural landmarks, but to health checkups, diagnostics, and preventive care.
Led by Keikyu Corporation, which operates the train lines connecting Haneda to Tokyo’s core, and JTB Corporation, through its Japan Medical & Health Tourism Centre (JMHC), the pilot is designed to streamline access to medical services for short-term international visitors. The idea is simple but significant: allow travellers to slot essential health checkups into the same timeframe as their journey, reducing both logistical friction and time cost.
The programme is a product of unique circumstances in the general travel landscape. The travel sector in Japan is gradually beginning to pick up post-pandemic, and with the ongoing demographic shifts, BHT will offer a new channel for growth. The pilot will capitalise on Japan’s highly respected healthcare system, combined with reliable transportation and lodging services.
The Mechanics Behind the Experience
At the core of this venture lies Haneda Innovation City, a cutting-edge smart city development connected through Keikyu’s Tenkubashi Station. Major institutions like Haneda Tow Medical Centre provide ultra-modern diagnostics and regenerative medicine services purposely built for the travelling customer.
Naturally, upon their arrival, the tourists from Haneda will be welcomed by smooth transportation provided by the Keikyu Line train that brings them to the premises in a few minutes. JTB facilitates reservations, accommodations and multilingual assistance through certified medical coordinators.
Services include general screenings, imaging diagnostics (especially PET-CT scans), blood tests, and consultations with medical specialists. These services are available with an advance appointment and charge, normally along with the bundled accommodations and wellness packages. Language interpretation can either come in-house or be a concierge service for the client.
Who Is This Program Designed For?
The programme is aimed at international visitors seeking preventive health services. It is not designed for emergency or surgical care. Those benefiting most include business travellers, extended-stay tourists, and patients from regional countries such as China, Vietnam, and South Korea who are already familiar with Japan’s healthcare system.
Preventive diagnostics, known locally as “Ningen Dock, are central to the service model. These exams offer detailed physical screenings and are a hallmark of Japan’s health culture.
There is also growing appeal among older travellers who prioritise high-precision diagnostics and personalised attention. Japan’s reputation for clean facilities, careful follow-up, and medical technology is a significant draw for this group.
Market Potential and Economic Context
Declining day by day, the projections on the market of Japan’s medical tourism present a wide spread. By all means, a bullion speculation from KD Market Insights aims for the market at US$ 14.5 billion in 2025 and a good US$30.7 billion by 2035. Other forecasting companies like Market Research Future or Spherical Insights have given the lowest projections, with the number lying somewhere between US$1 billion and US$6 billion in 2035.
Despite the disparity, all sources agree that the sector is expanding. Japan’s position as a high-quality destination for wellness and diagnostics supports an emerging segment of global medical travel that goes beyond cost-saving surgeries.
Globally, medical tourism continues to grow at double-digit rates, and countries like Thailand, Turkey, and India have carved out strong positions. Japan’s approach differs. It offers peace of mind, language coordination, and fast access to advanced diagnostics—rather than price-led competition.
Participating Brands and Current Scope
The confirmed participants are Keikyu Corporation and JTB Corporation (through JMHC). Keikyu facilitates airport-to-clinic transport, while JTB manages bookings, client support, and interpreter services.
One of the fundamental medicolegal partners, forests like the Haneda Tono Medical Centre, are destined to exist by way of publicly undisclosed master lists of health medical organisations rendering services.
The other elements of the programme set in place integrated smart city and automatic tools of reception and healthcare records delivery, trying to make the patient experience as seamless and delightful as possible.
What the Experience Looks Like for a Traveller
A visitor arrives at Haneda and travels directly to Haneda Innovation City via the Keikyu rail. At the clinic, they receive services like PET-CT scans, blood panels, and wellness diagnostics. Multilingual medical staff or interpreters are available.
Results are translated and delivered digitally or in person. Travellers may combine the visit with cultural activities or continue with their business itinerary. No Japanese national health insurance is required. Most costs are paid upfront and reflect private market pricing, often 200%–300% higher than domestic rates.
Challenges in the Rollout
Language access, cross-border insurance policies, and health data privacy remain critical challenges. The programme currently does not integrate with foreign health systems, meaning follow-up or record-sharing may depend on individual providers.
Japan’s “Medical Stay Visa” allows international patients to remain in the country for extended treatment or recovery, with options ranging from six months to one year. This kind of visa encourages long-stay interactions, especially for those who receive specialised diagnostic services or elderly patients who spend some time with family.
None of the other big factors is affordability, either. When compared with budget destinations, Japan’s pricing is intended for fussy consumers.
Where This Could Lead
A pilot’s success may extend to more major airports, such as Narita, Kansai, or Fukuoka. A specialised service line could include cardiovascular health screening, infertility diagnostics, or genetic screening.
Cooperation between the public and private sectors should aim at refining booking platforms, telehealth integrations, and bundled insurance solutions.
Digital innovation may help to cultivate a broader foreign market if it somehow embraces regulatory clarity.
A Shift in Global Medical Travel?
Japan’s programme reflects a distinct approach to medical tourism—focused on diagnostics, early detection, and convenience rather than high-volume procedures. In a post-COVID context where wellness and proactive care have moved higher on consumer agendas, Japan’s direction may resonate.
The pilot gives travellers an opportunity to engage with a trusted healthcare system without navigating city-wide infrastructure or language barriers. If it can scale while maintaining service quality, it may position Japan as a go-to destination for a specific segment of global health seekers.