These truly are strange and unprecedented times. Borders have perhaps never been so closed since the advent of globalization, aviation, and international travel. It is hard to believe that this situation is unfolding in an era where increasing numbers of the world’s population is fluid and international flights are taken as much for granted as the convenience of buying groceries in most cities. It now feels surreal that is has been less than a month since my last flight, just before travel bans and restrictions were implemented, lockdowns enforced, and borders shut down globally.

Amid all the confusion in Japan (and globally) with regulatory changes in response to the coronavirus outbreak as infections increase, there is limited updated information in English on how foreign residents and tourists in Tokyo can get tested and treated for the COVID-19 virus. Moreover, much of the information is conflicting or ambiguous.

To clarify important details, I called myLocal Ward Health Center (保健所), the Tokyo Covid-19 Call Center (新型コロナ受診相談窓口), and “Himawari,” (ひまわり) the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Medical Advisory Service (東京都 医療機関 薬局案内サービス) providing a help desk for foreigners and non-Japanese speakers numerous times for more information.

In this article, I wanted to share what I learned concerning:

WHERE to call,

the OVERALL PROCESS from making a call to getting test results,

test ELIGIBILITY requirements
(including possible priority situations!),

what happens when you get HOSPITAL TESTING, &

how much it COSTS to get tested.

For those in Tokyo, I hope that my experience figuring out who to call and what to expect can save others critical time as well as reduce some stress and anxiety, especially for foreign residents and non-Japanese speakers.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on my own personal experience speaking to representatives and staff at the various call centers and services as of April 4, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. As the situation changes day by day, the content I am sharing in this article is intended to be used and must be used for reference and informational purposes only. I cannot make any warranties about the completeness, reliability, and accuracy of this article. Any action taken upon the information on this website is strictly at your own risk, and I cannot be held liable for any losses or damages in connection with the use of this article. All views expressed are my own and from my own experience, and do not represent the entity whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated. I will not be responsible for any material that is found at the end of links that may be posted on this website. The information presented here should not be used without first assessing your own personal situation, or without consulting with a healthcare professional.

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Where to Call?

Note: If you have mild symptoms, or symptoms lasting less than 2 days, you will likely be asked to contact your personal physician. If you do not have a personal physician, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Himawari service can introduce hospitals and clinics for foreigners in Japan (see below).

IF YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS:
Your Local Ward Health Center or Tokyo Himawari

If You DO Speak Japanese:
Your Local Ward Health Center

The best option is to call the health center located in the ward that you are physically located in at the time
(not necessarily the one you live or are registered in, if you are a resident)

PRO:

• Direct: Probably the most direct way to get a fast response with access to a hospital and testing under government medical coverage.
• Updated Information: Health Centers have the most updated information and are able to provide the best consultation on coronavirus issues. 

CON:

• Only Japanese: Most local ward health centers only provide service in Japanese (see “Himawari” for non-Japanese speakers)
• Limited Hours: Ward health centers generally only open 9am-5pm on weekdays.
• Sometimes Inconsistent:Consultation and advice may vary depending on the local ward you are in and the representative you are speaking to. 
• DIfficult to connect: Lines are often engaged, but may depend on which ward’s health center you are trying to call. 

List of Selected Health Centers with higher numbers of foreign residents: Minato Ward:03-3455-4461 Chiyoda Ward: 03-5211-8175 Setagaya Ward: 03-5432-2910 Shinagawa Ward: 03-5742-9105 Meguro Ward: 03-5722-9089 Shibuya Ward: 03-3463-3650

If you DO NOT speak Japanese:
Himawari

Non-Japanese speakers should call Himawari, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Health Advisory Service that has a foreign help desk with assistance in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Thai.

If you have MILD symptoms, Himawari service will be able to inform you of hospitals that can treat international patients or have foreign language speaking doctors.

If you have more SEVERE symptoms that make you eligible to test for coronavirus, Himawari will contact the nearest ward health center on behalf of non-Japanese speakers to make arrangements for an outpatient examination. If the person needs to be tested following the medical assessment, Himawari officials can also later assist in making arrangements for coronavirus testing.

*This service is only provided for coronavirus cases.

PRO:

• Multiple Foreign Languages: Multilingual staff provide service in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, and Thai. 
• Easiest to Connect: Of all the relevant numbers you can call, Himawari is the most easily accessible to actually place a call and speak to a representative.
• Recommendations: Can make helpful recommendations for what to do in an emergency, or introduce hospitals and clinics for foreigners in Japan.
• Communications Assistance: Helpful assistance for non-Japanese speakers to contact their local Health Centers and arrange consultations.

CON:

• Lack of Updated Information: Himawari staff are not as informed as those at local ward health centers on protocols concerning coronavirus testing. They have to contact local health centers to relay information back to you.

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Foreigner Desk Himawari Phone: 03 5285 8181 Languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and Thai. Opening times: 9:00am to 8:00pm (including weekends and holidays) Help Provided: Support in foreign languages for consultations, to contact local ward health centers and make arrangements for outpatient examinations, and arrangements for coronavirus testing.

AFTER 5PM OR ON WEEKENDS:

Evening and Weekend Coronavirus Helpline (Japanese only)

Officially the “Tokyo Joint Telephone Consultation Center” (東京都合同電話相談センター) as part of the “Returnee/Recent Contact Phone Consultation Center” (帰国者・接触者電話相談センター) 

Phone: 03-5320-4592

Help Provided: This hotline is supposed to provide the same service as ward health centers after hours, facilitating hospital tests for people with coronavirus symptoms.

*TIP: If you DO NOT speak Japanese, you can contact Himawari first and they will contact the evening & weekend helpline on your behalf (only during Himawari opening hours – 9am to 8pm everyday).

*VERY DIFFICULT TO CONNECT: I did not manage to get through to this line, despite attempting to call more than 40 times over the past couple of days, so cannot comment with further information on what services this hotline provides aside from what was informed by my local Health Center and Himawari. 

FOR GENERAL ADVICE:
The COVID-19 Call Center

Since end of February, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government established the Tokyo Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters, which includes a call center for general advice concerning the coronavirus.

• Phone: 0570-550-571
• Languages: Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean
• Opening times: 9:00am to 9:00pm (including weekends and holidays)
• Information provided: Measures to prevent infection, what to do if you develop concerning symptoms, advice regarding the novel coronavirus

*Note that this call center via NaviDial will cost 10 yen for every 20 seconds on the line.

PRO:

• Centralized Service: The call center has more information than the “Himawari” foreigner help desk for coronavirus cases (but often not able to provide as much specific information as the local health centers). 
• Multilingual Support: Information for general inquiries about coronavirus provided via a translation service in multiple languages.

CON:

• Expensive!!: the NaviDial at the call center charges at 30 yen per minute!!
• Difficult to Connect: The call center is often engaged and you will get hung up on immediately. Even if you manage to connect, you should expect to be put on hold with a recorded message for a least some time (in my experience, the wait time varied from 30 seconds to 5 minutes before I got redirected to a representative).
• Limited Direct Help: At the time of writing, this call center will not directly provide hospital introductions for you. For any more specific inquiries or if you need to report symptoms and request a hospital visit, you will most likely just be told to call your local ward health office or the Tokyo Government Himawari (see above). 

OVERALL

My Experience:

1. There is quite a lot of discrepancy between information on the Tokyo Metropolitan Government website and across the various health centers and service hotlines due to the ever-evolving nature of the outbreak.

2. It is very difficult to call most of the hotlines specific to coronavirus inquiries and testing. Expect to be put on hold or get the engaged dial tone on most calls.

3. When I tried calling most of the provided phone numbers, lines were often engaged, and I was hung up on many times.
Personally, I had better success connecting in the afternoons.
Calling the local ward Health Center directly was the most helpful in providing specific advice and consultations!

TIP: It is highly recommended to arrange a hospital visit via your health center where possible, rather than contacting the hospital directly as you may not be eligible for government medical coverage if you do not go through the local ward health centers (See “COST” section below).

Who Is Eligible for Hospital Testing?

For almost everybody, the bottom line is that you will need to show that you have had a fever of 37.5C or higher for 4 (four) consecutive days before you can request to visit a hospital for testing.

TIP: Symptoms are all SELF-REPORTED, so it is important to keep track of your temperature for all days you are having a fever.

General Population:

If you have symptoms of a fever of 37.5 degrees Celsius (99.5 degrees Fahrenheit), fatigue and trouble breathing for FOUR DAYS OR MORE.

Source: TMG’s “Tokyo COVID Information”

POSSIBLE EXCEPTION #1:

Elderly Population*, Pregnant Women, or People with Underlying Health Conditions

Elderly people or those who are immunosuppressed should contact a public health center or the hotline AFTER TWO DAYS of having relevant symptoms (>37.5 degrees Celsius fever, fatigue, or trouble breathing) for a case-by-case consultation.

*Elderly Population refers to individuals over the age of 70!

POSSIBLE EXCEPTION #2:

If you have travelled internationally from a “high risk” country or
been in close contact with a COVID-19 infected person
within the last 14 days of having symptoms

You can call your local ward health center for a case-by-case consultation after 2 days of having symptoms (>37.5 degrees Celsius fever with or without respiratory symptoms).

Note: You may need to verify that you were issued a quarantine notice at the airport when entering the country or that you were in contact with a COVID-19 infected person to qualify for priority testing.

International Travel –

For details of countries deemed “high risk for COVID-19”, please go to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website.Close Contact –

Under national reporting standards, the following are considered cases of having been in close contact:

• Having spent long periods of contact (including in a vehicle or airplane) or lived together with someone suspected of being infected with COVID-19
• Having examined, given care to, or nursed a person suspected of being infected with COVID-19, without taking adequate disease prevention measures
• Are likely to have touched something that has been contaminated by viral particles present in the coughs, sneezes or bodily fluids of someone suspected of being infected with COVID-19

Source: TMG FAQ webpage

*Although your case may be accepted by the health center, you may still be put on a waitlist at the hospital for testing unless you have severe symptoms.

*If you are having severe symptoms, your case may be prioritized for faster testing, expediated depending on your travel or close contact history.

Source: TMG’s “Tokyo COVID Information”

Hospital Testing Process

If you qualify for the above eligibility criteria with relevant symptoms to get a test:

1. Consult your Local Ward Health Center (For non-Japanese speakers, contact Himawari to help you arrange consultation if necessary)
    
2. The Ward Health Center will introduce you to a designated hospital where you may conduct a test
   (Usually this is supposed to be immediate or within a few hours once you manage to contact the Health Center, and they will introduce a hospital in or near your local ward. You may experience longer delays over the weekends or in the evenings when local Health Centers are closed.)
    
3. Contact the introduced hospital, citing your referral from the Health Center to arrange an examination
   NOTE: some health centers may assist you in contacting the hospital  
    
4. Go to the hospital for the outpatient examination
   NOTE: you will likely be requested to wear a mask and not take public transport or taxis.
   Health Centers may arrange free transportation for you (by car) if available and necessary. 
    
5. Take the initial outpatient examination 
   NOTE: this will NOT be the PCR test for coronavirus
   (the health examination at this stage usually includes a CT Scan and Blood Test, but doctors may assign more tests on a case-by-case basis)
    
6. Experts or a panel of doctors (variable depending on the hospital) will review your examination results for any abnormalities
    
7. Most test results for the initial examination will take 1-2 days.
   You will be asked to return home to wait, and your local health center will contact you regarding your results.
   NOTE: If your case is prioritized for same-day results, you may be asked to wait at the hospital.
    Previous news reports indicate that the current law in Japan would require everyone who tested positive for COVID-19 be routinely hospitalized, but the following information is what Health Center staff advised me at the time of writing: 
8. FOR SEVERE CASES WITH ABNORMAL RESULTS: If your test shows abnormalities and you have severe symptoms, it will be MANDATORY for you to be hospitalized immediately. Upon hospitalization, experts and doctors will decide whether you will need to take the PCR test for coronavirus.
   (You will not be able to go home from the hospital, so it is advised to bring your belongings with you.) 
    
9. FOR ALL OTHER CASES WITH ABNORMAL RESULTS: If your test results are abnormal, but you have mild to moderate symptoms, you may or may not be subject to routine hospitalization, depending on the doctor’s examination. If it is deemed your case is not severe enough for hospitalization, you will most likely not be asked to take the PCR test. Instead, you will be notified to monitor your health and self-quarantine at home for 14 days. If symptoms worsen, contact your local Health Center.
    
10. FOR CASES WITHOUT ANY ABNORMALITIES DETECTED: Your Health Center will contact you and inform you that your tests came back normal and you are not subjected to any quarantine or hospitalization at this time. 

Source: TMG’s “Tokyo COVID Information”

How Much Does It Cost?

TESTING

The Good News:

The actual coronavirus test (a Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] test) itself will be FREE regardless of your nationality or insurance plan.

NOTE: If you end up taking the PCR test after your local Health Center arranged your hospital visit for coronavirus, the test will be FREE regardless of your result. If you are positive, you may be subject to immediate hospitalization.
However, if you go to the hospital directly (NOT through a referral from your local health center for coronavirus), you may incur medical fees for the PCR test if you test negative. 

THE CATCH:

HOWEVER, according to the Minato Ward Health Center when I spoke with them, the number of actual PCR tests conducted are extremely low and hospitals are already very crowded. (>.<;)

Patients who opt to go to the hospital for testing will first have to do a CT scan and blood test (and maybe other tests as well on a case-by-case basis), which will have to PAID FOR BY THEMSELVES.This examination is estimated to cost a minimum of around 30,000~50,000 yen (USD$300-500) without insurance.
(Japanese National Insurance will cover up to 3割 or about 70%.)

HOSPITALIZATION

If you are hospitalized after abnormal outpatient examination results, the Health Center indicates that most of your hospitalization bills related to coronavirus treatment will be covered by the government, but the exact amount of coverage will depend on your specific case as well as individual insurance plan. They will not cover for any other tests, treatments, or medications etc. that you may require during the time you are hospitalized that are not directly related to coronavirus infection.

TIP: It is highly recommended to arrange for a test through your local health center!

If you go to a hospital directly instead of your local ward health center, you may not be eligible for government coverage. Moreover, many hospitals in Japan charge much higher rates (sometimes around ~300% or more of the usual fees) for those who request treatment without a referral or national insurance.

Hope this has been helpful in clarifying some confusion and conflicting information on how you may be eligible for testing for coronavirus, and what to expect from the process of contacting your health center, going to the hospital, and getting your test results in Tokyo.

Note: The above information is only applicable to getting tested for COVID-19 in Tokyo at the time of writing, and the situation may differ in other cities and prefectures in Japan.

STAY SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY EVERYONE!! <3

Related Article:

The post How to Get Tested for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Tokyo appeared first on Rachel Leng.

最近、日本企業がどのように優能な外国人にアピールすることができるかについての私の見解と効果的な異文化間コミュニケーションについてのいくつかのアドバイスをシェアする講演を行いました。このセミナーは(株)WooGWay主催で開催されます。そして、私はKeynoteプレゼンター及び専門パネリストとして参加しました～！

Read on for a summary of my talk at WooGWay’s seminar event!

WooGWayのセミナーイベントでの講演の概要については、以下をご覧ください。

*~*~*~*

Background on Japan’s Immigration Law Change
日本の移民法変更の背景

Japan is the third largest economy in the world, but also the most rapidly aging and facing a critical labor shortage. To support a dwindling workforce, the Japanese government is introducing amendments to the Immigration Act that allows for more foreigners to work in Japan. These amendments (including the introduction of a new visa category) have become effective from April 1, 2019.

日本は世界第3位の経済大国ですが、最も急速に高齢化し、深刻な労働力不足に直面しています。 減少する労働力を支援するために、日本政府はより多くの外国人が日本で働くことを可能にする移民法の改正を導入しています。 これらの改正（新しいビザカテゴリーの導入を含む）は、2019年4月1日から有効になりました。

How can Japanese companies take the right approach to hiring more skilled employees from outside of Japan? What are foreigners looking for when they come to Japan, and how can Japanese companies work successfully with foreigners?

日本企業は海外からより熟練した従業員を雇用するためにどのようにして正しいアプローチをとるのでしょうか？ 外国人は日本に来るとき何を求めていますか、そして日本企業はどのようにして外国人とうまく仕事をしていくのでしょうか？どのようにしてコミュニケーションを取っていくのでしょうか？

そのような高度人材を招き、日本企業で活躍してもらうには、何が必要なのか、また彼ら日本で働いている外国人は日本の企業で何を感じているのでしょうか？

Event Information || イベント情報について

Other Panelists || 他のパネリストについて

Key Points from my Talk:

私のスピーチのキーポイント：

*~*~*~*

Why Should Japanese Companies Work with Foreigners?

なぜ外国人と一緒に働きますか？

The impression of Japanese companies is that they are generally conservative and homogenous. Although Japan has been very successful in the past and maintains the third largest economy, it is necessary for Japanese companies to hire more foreign works to remain competitive globally. Cultural diversity is necessary for innovation, globalization, effective marketing and advertising, international competitiveness, and more successful business outcomes.

外国人にとって、日本企業の印象は、彼らは一般的に保守的で均一であるということです。 日本は過去に大成功を収め、第3位の経済大国を維持していますが、日本企業が世界的に競争力を維持するためには、より多くの外国人の労働力を採用する必要があります。 文化の多様性は、革新、グローバリゼーション、効果的なマーケティングと広告、国際競争力、そして良いビジネス成果に必要です。

*~*~*~*

What are foreigners looking for?

外国人は日本企業で何を求めていますか？

1. Work/Life Balance

• Assumption: Japanese work too much overtime (残業) and homogenous social pressure leaves little personal time. Media criticism of karoshi　(過労死, death from overwork) also paints negative image of Japanese work environment.

• Looking for: ways to balance work and personal time; fair compensation for work

1） 仕事と生活のバランス
•前提として：日本では残業が多くなり過ぎ、仕事のプレッシャーの個性がなくなり、個人的な時間がほとんどなくなります。過労死に対する国際メディアの批判は、日本の労働環境に対する否定的なイメージを描いています。
•外国人が求めるもの：仕事と私生活のバランスをとる方法。 仕事の時間に対する公正な補償

2. Economic and Career Growth

• Assumption: Japanese companies have stagnant growth and are inefficient

• Looking for: greater challenges and opportunities for efficiency, growth

2）経済的な発展とキャリアの成長
•前提として：日本企業は成長が停滞し、非効率的である
•外国人が求めるもの：経済的な発展の効率、各自のキャリアの成長のための挑戦と機会

3. Flexibility

• Assumption: Need to assimilate to the Japanese way; inflexible work environment

• Looking for: opportunities to succeed and enhance competitive advantage as foreigner; more work flexibility

3）柔軟性
•前提として：日本の労働習慣に同化する必要がある。 柔軟性のない職場環境
•外国人が求めるもの：外国人として成功し競争優位性を高める機会。 より柔軟な作業

4. Equal Access

• Assumption: strong hierarchy & conservatism at Japanese companies only allows local Japanese to succeed

• Looking for: more equality at the workplace and greater tolerance for diversity

4）平等なアクセス
•前提として：日本企業の年功序列性と保守主義は、現地の日本人しか理解できないし、そして、企業では日本人しか昇進できない。
•外国人が求めるもの：職場での平等性と多様性に対する寛容性の向上

*~*~*~*

How can Japanese companies attract more foreigners?

日本企業はどのようにしてより多くの外国人を招くことができますか？

There is a need for Japanese companies to adapt to foreign cultures and value skilled talent from outside of Japan, enabling them to best contribute at the workplace. This will be a continuously changing process. Companies can host more workshops to increase awareness about cross-cultural communications. In particular, cultural sensitivity and a supportive environment when foreign workers may be experiencing culture shock and adjusting to a new workplace is critical to retaining skilled talent. Establishing an open platform for communication between foreigners and Japanese is also key: it is very important that foreigners can understand their options and potential for career progress, as well as have feedback channels to voice their perspective. Having someone with the ability to facilitate these communications (e.g.: multi-cultural and bilingual individuals) will be a valuable asset.

日本企業も外国の文化と相互に適応し、日本以外からの優秀な外国人達を大切にしたうえで、彼らが職場で最も貢献できるようにする必要があります。 これは絶えず変化するプロセスです。 異文化間コミュニケーションについての認識を高めるために、企業はより多くのワークショップを開催することが必要です。 特に、外国人労働者が日本に来る時、カルチャーショックを経験し、新しい職場に適応する場合の文化的な相違による反応、それに関係するサポート、優秀な外国人たちの労働力を維持するために重要です。外国人と日本人とのコミュニケーションのためのオープンプラットフォームを確立することもとても大切なことです。外国人が彼らの見解を表明するためのフィードバックチャネルを持つことと同様に、外国人が彼らの選択肢とキャリアアップの可能性を理解することは非常に重要です。 これらのコミュニケーションを円滑にする能力を持つ人（例：多文化およびバイリンガルの人々）を持つことは貴重な資産となります。

*~*~*~*

Conclusion and Recommendations

結論と推奨

• People without cross-cultural training are twice as likely to fail in international environments (but, 98% successful with training – easily addressed and achieved!)

• Cross-cultural communication is a challenging, but exciting development in today’s business world bringing many opportunities!

• There are countless differences between cultures – impossible to create rules for every situation.

• Modify communication styles according to recipient’s culture and perspective in mind: high context cultures (good communication is intuitive and nuanced) vs. low context cultures (good communication is explicit and simple).  

• Mutual Respect & Etiquette is important: “When in Rome do as the Romans do”

•異文化間トレーニングを受けていない人は、国際的な環境で失敗する可能性が倍になります（ただし、98％がトレーニングをうけて成功しています –＞つまり、トレーニングをうけると種々問題を簡単に対処できます）。

•異文化間コミュニケーションは、今日のビジネス界では画期的なことであり、多くの機会をもたらします。

•文化間には数え切れないほどの相違点があります – あらゆる状況に対してすべて当てはまるルールを作成することは不可能です。

•相方の文化や視点に応じてコミュニケーションスタイルを変更する：高コンテキスト文化（相手の環境、状況より、地震の考えを明確に話す）と低コンテキスト文化（相手の環境、状況に合わせて話す）。

•相互尊重と礼儀（マナー）は重要です。「郷に入っては郷に従え」

Further Reading:

The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer.

“An international business expert helps you understand and navigate cultural differences in this insightful and practical guide, perfect for both your work and personal life.”

＊～＊～＊

About WooGWay, Inc.

株式会社WooGWayについて

http://woogway.main.jp/

The company name, WooGWay, combines “World” and “Gateway”. It represents our corporate philosophy to become Japan’s gateway to the world and help Japanese companies to break into the global market, leading to the success of the customer.
Since March 2019, we have established “IT Jobs Japan” to introduce talented IT engineers from abroad to Japanese companies. WooGWay aims to create opportunities for Japanese companies to diversity and innovate.


WooGWay（ウーグウェイ）という社名は「World」と「Gateway」を組み合わせ造語です。
当社の企業理念の根底ともなる社名には、日本企業および日本人が国内のみならず世界でも称賛され、輝く存在となるために、我々が“架け橋となる”という決意が込められています。
日本企業が世界の市場に進出するのを支援し、成功へ導く事をミッションとしております。その一環で”IT Jobs Japan”という外国人の優秀なITエンジニアを日本企業に紹介するという

新サービスを３月に立ち上げ、日本企業にDiversity とInnovation創出機会を作り出そうとしています。

The post Tips for Working with Foreigners in Japan <br> 外国人と上手く一緒に働くためのヒント！ appeared first on Rachel Leng.