Japan

MAIN HEALTH RISKS

• There is no malaria in the country.
• There are no cases of animal rabies, since it is compulsory to vaccinate all dogs against the disease.
• On March 1st 2007, Japanese authorities have lifted the containment measures which had been set up in January 2007 to combat avian flu. Authorities had confirmed at the beginning of 2007 the reintroduction of the disease in four poultry farms of western Japan (municipalities of Kiyotake, Hyuga and Shintomicho - Miyazaki department, Kyushu region - and Takahashi - Okayama department, Chugoku region). The Agriculture Ministry has confirmed that epidemics spots localized in Kiyotake, Hyuga and Takahashi are due to the H5N1 virus.

FOOD SAFETY

• There are usually no problems linked to food or water.

IMMUNIZATIONS AND MEDICATION

• Travelers entering the country from an endemic area are required to present a certificate of immunization against yellow fever.
Systematically:
• Hepatitis A: the vaccination is available for children at least one year old. For persons who were born before 1945, who have spent their childhood in a developing country or who have had an icterus, it may prove useful to search previously for serous antibodies in order to avoid an unnecessary shot.
• Hepatitis B: the vaccination is available for children at least two months old.
• Diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis: get a booster shot before leaving if your last shot is more than ten years old.



Depending on the duration and conditions of the trip:
• Japanese encephalitis: for stays longer than a month in rural areas during the rain season. The immunization is available for children at least one year old.
• Tuberculosis: in case of a long stay, it is recommended to have children immunized against tuberculosis as soon as they reach the age of one month, and against mumps, measles and rubella when they reach the age of nine months.

HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURES

Tokyo
• Toranomon hospital: phone + 81 3 3588 1111
• Keio University Hospital: phone + 81 3 3353 1208/09/11
• Tokyo University Hospital: phone + 81 3 3815 5411
• St Luke International Hospital: phone + 81 3 3541 5151
• Juntendo University Hospital: hone + 81 3 3813 3111
• Tokyo Clinic (polyclinic with English- and French-speaking doctors - can handle 24/7 all medical care except surgery): phone + 81 3 3436 3028 and 3436 3025
• Ikuryo Clinic, 1-1-5 2F, Kamimeguro, Meguro Ward, Tokyo: phone + 81 3 3792 4103, + 81 3 3791 4122
• International Catholic Hospital (Seibo Byoin), 5-1 Naka Ochiai 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo: phone + 81 3 3951 1111
• National Medical Clinic, National Azabu Apartment 502, 2025-16-11 Minami Azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo: phone + 81 3 3473 2057, fax + 81 3 3473 1869
• Sanno Hospital, 8-10-16 Akasaka, Minato-Ku, Tokyo: phone + 81 3 3402 3151, + 81 3 3404 3652
• Tokyo British Clinic, Daikanyama Y Building 2F, 2 13 7 Ebisu-Nishi, Shibuya-Ku, Tokyo: phone + 81 3 5458 6099, fax + 81 3 5458 6095

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

• Firemen: 119
• Emergency medical care / ambualnces: 119
• Police: 110

CLIMATE

• Climate differences are important between southern islands (Kyushu, Shikoku) and Hokkaido in the north.
• In Southern Japan, the rain season lasts from mid-June to mid-July. Winters are very cold in the north and the west, with regular snowfalls.
• Summers are rainy with, in September, the apparition of typhoons (strong winds, pouring rains), mainly in the south of the country.
• Temperatures are cooler in Hokkaido, whereas the western coast (Tokyo) and the south are warmer, with very sunny days.
• Autumns and springs are very pleasant, temperatures are mild and rains remain scarce.
• When to go: in April, May, October or November.