FAQ
●Became sick while in Japan
(Question)Q1. When a foreigner becomes sick in Japan, what should they do? Tell me how to get medical treatment in Japan.
Foreign nationals who live in Japan have to join a Japanese health insurance system. Should you become sick in Japan, first, visit a clinic near your house, not a general hospital.
Click here to see more information about what to do when foreigners become sick in Japan. ＜ Click here ＞
Q2. I’m sick, but don’t know which doctor I should to go.
There are different types of clinics depending on your symptoms.
Click here to see more information about what to do when foreigners become sick in Japan. ＜ Click here ＞
Q3. I would like to know about Japanese health insurance systems.
There are 2 types of public health insurance in Japan.One is the “public health insurance (social insurance, etc.)” that your workplace enrolls you in and the National Health Insurance, in which most other people enroll.
Click here to see more information about Japanese health insurance systems. ＜ Click here ＞
●About HIV
Q4. I’m concerned that I may have contracted HIV. I want to know more about it.
Click here to see more information about HIV infection. ＜ Click here ＞
Q5. I’m going to work/going to school in Japan. I want to continue taking the HIV medicine that I am currently taking.
How can I do that?
To continue your HIV treatment, you must enroll in a Japanese health insurance system.Once you are enrolled in a Japanese health insurance system, you are eligible to receive support for your medical costs.There are some documents you must prepare before you come to Japan.
Click here to see more information about HIV positive foreigners living in Japan. ＜ Click here ＞
Q6. When a foreigner living in Japan finds out he/she is HIV positive, can they be treated in Japan?
Yes. If you find out you are HIV positive at an HIV testing site or hospital, you can receive treatment after enrolling in a Japanese health insurance system and taking other additional steps. For more information, please consult with staff members at the test site or a social worker at the hospital.
If you find out you are infected HIV positive through a mailed testing, consult over the telephone with CHARM.
If you have communication difficulties due to a language issue when seeing a doctor or during HIV treatment at a hospital, you can request an interpreter be dispatched.
・Click here to see more information about HIV positive foreigners living in Japan. ＜ Click here ＞
・Click here to see more information about medical interpreter dispatch services for HIV patients. ＜ Click here ＞
・Click here to see information about multiple-language telephone consultation. ＜ Click here ＞
Q7. I want to take an HIV test but don’t know where to go.
You can take an HIV test at public health centers and other places anonymously, free of charge. To look up the places giving HIV test, please look up the HIV Test/Consultation Map.
There are clinics where, for a fee, you can be tested for HIV.
If you have difficulty communicating due to a language issue, please consult with CHARM.
Click here to see more information about HIV testing. ＜ Click here ＞
Q8. Are there places where I can ask for HIV consultation and sexually transmitted diseases in a language that I can understand?
Yes, there are.
Tuesday: 4:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m. English, Spanish, Portuguese
Wednesday: 4:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m. Chinese
Thursday: 4:00 p.m. ~ 8:00 p.m. English
TEL: 06-6354-5901
Click here to see more information about telephone consultation for HIV/sexually transmitted diseases in foreign languages. ＜ Click here ＞
Q9. Does a company health check include an HIV test?
Company health checks include a blood test, but it does not include HIV testing.
Q10. What information can I get about HIV/sexually transmitted diseases in telephone consultations in foreign languages?
You can talk about your concerns about HIV and sexually transmitted diseases, where you can get tested and where you can get medical treatment in Osaka.Click here to see more information about telephone consultation for HIV/sexually transmitted diseases in foreign languages. ＜ Click here ＞
●About Program
Q11. I’ve just found out I’m HIV positive. I don’t know what to do. Are there any programs in which I can participate?
Yes, you can.
Please contact us through the contact form on this website. ＜ Click here ＞
Q12. I want to meet and talk with other foreign HIV-positive people.
Q13. I want to meet and talk with other female HIV-positive people. What can I do?
There is a program called Women’s Network comprising other female HIV-positive people.
Click here for more information about Women’s Network.＜ Click here ＞
Click here for the inquiry form. ＜ Click here ＞
Q14. I want to recover from drug addiction. What can I do?
There is a group called SPICA where HIV-positive people trying to recover from drug addiction meet.
Click here for more information about SPICA. ＜ Click here ＞
Q15. Are there any fun programs?
“Cooking Japan’ease” is a program in which participants share their cooking knowledge, making dishes using ordinary food materials you can buy at regular stores.
Click here to go to the Cooking Instagram. ＜ Click here ＞
Q16. I want to meet and get to know various people.
“Social Connection Tsunagari” is a program that allows anyone involved in CHARM’s activities to participate.
Click here to see more information about “Tsunagari”. ＜ Click here ＞
Q17. Can I request an interpreter when I go to the hospital for HIV treatment?
Yes, you can.
Click here to see more information about medical interpreter dispatch services for HIV patients. ＜ Click here ＞
●Participating in CHARM Activities
Q18. I want to become a member of CHARM.
Why don’t you start by becoming a CHARM supporter?
Click here for more information about CHARM membership. ＜ Click here ＞
Q19. Are there any other ways to participate in CHARM activities?
Yes. You can make a donation to CHARM to help support us.
Click here for more information about making a donation. ＜ Click here ＞
Q20. I would like to participate as a volunteer.
Click here for more information about volunteer activities. ＜ Click here ＞
Please contact us through the contact form on this website. ＜ Click here ＞
Q21. I would like to participate in an internship.
We accept university and graduate students for internships of 3 months or longer.
Please contact us through the contact form on this website. ＜ Click here ＞
