Hospital Cancellation Fee Policy Sparks Confusion Ahead of June Launch

May 29, 2026 | News On Japan

TOKYO - Health Minister Kenichiro Ueno apologized on May 29th after confusion spread over a new policy that will allow some medical institutions to charge cancellation fees for missed appointments from June, stressing that the fees will apply only in limited cases.

The misunderstanding arose after many people came to believe that cancellation fees would be imposed on reservations at all medical institutions nationwide beginning next month.

Under the revised system, certain medical facilities will be permitted to charge cancellation fees for appointment cancellations under specific conditions.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare issued a notification to medical institutions in March regarding the policy change. However, as misconceptions spread suggesting that all medical appointments would become subject to cancellation charges, the ministry released a new notice on May 29th to clarify the rules.

Ueno acknowledged the confusion caused by the earlier guidance.

"We have issued a corrective notice regarding the notification in question. I would like to apologize for the confusion this has caused in the field," Ueno said.

According to the ministry, cancellation fees can only be charged by medical institutions that have reported the system to the ministry and already collect reservation fees from patients. The measure applies to only about 900 facilities nationwide, representing a small fraction of Japan's healthcare providers.

The government emphasized that the vast majority of hospitals and clinics will not be affected by the change, and patients should not assume that cancellation fees will automatically apply to all medical appointments from June.

Previously: Japan's Hospitals to Introduce Cancellation Fees

Source: TBS

Martinelli Breaks Japan Hearts as Brazil Win 2-1 in World Cup Thriller

Japan’s World Cup campaign ended in the cruelest possible fashion on June 29, as Gabriel Martinelli scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time to give Brazil a 2-1 victory over the Samurai Blue in their knockout match in Houston. Japan had led in the first half and were still level at 1-1 in the final moments, but Martinelli’s late strike sent Brazil into the Round of 16 and eliminated Japan from the tournament.

Strong Quakes Strike Japan 11 Times Since April

Strong earthquakes have continued to shake parts of Japan in recent weeks, with 11 temblors measuring lower 5 or above on the Japanese seismic intensity scale recorded across the country since April 2026.

First Train of the Day Derails at Kintetsu Kyoto Station

A Kintetsu Railway train derailed inside Kyoto Station on the morning of June 29, forcing partial suspensions on the Kintetsu Kyoto Line for the rest of the day and causing long delays that hit commuters, students and tourists.

Hikone Castle Stone Wall Collapses After Typhoon Deluge

A section of stone wall at Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s few surviving original Edo-period castles and a National Treasure whose main keep remains intact more than 400 years after its construction, collapsed after heavy rain caused by Typhoons No. 7 and No. 8, Hikone city officials said.

Japan Books Spot in World Cup Knockout Stage After Sweden Draw

Japan advanced to the knockout stage of the World Cup after a 1-1 draw with Sweden on June 25, finishing second in Group F and setting up a Round of 32 clash with Brazil in Houston.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Politics NEWS

Japan Politics Daily: Takaichi Links Growth, Security and China Policy

Japan’s political agenda on June 29 centered on Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s attempt to connect economic growth, national security and technological resilience, as the government moved toward a long-term economic blueprint while also responding to China’s expanded export controls and preparing a revision of Japan’s Arctic policy.

Seabed Resources Put Japan’s Ocean Strategy in Focus

Japan remains among the world’s leading nations in seabed resource development and should accelerate work to sharpen its technology, Democratic Party for the People upper house lawmaker Yoshihiko Yamada said, calling for broader ocean policy investment, stronger protection of sea lanes and a more active Japanese role in mine-clearing operations near the Strait of Hormuz.

China, Russia Send 15 Bombers And Other Aircraft Near Japan

Chinese and Russian bombers and other military aircraft flew around Japan on June 27, prompting Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi to describe the joint activity as a show of force directed at Japan.

Japan and South Korea Agree to Strengthen AI and Training

Defense Minister Koizumi met with South Korean Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back in Seoul on the morning of June 28, with the two ministers agreeing to continue cooperation between Japan and South Korea, as well as among Japan, the United States and South Korea.

Japan Politics Daily: Diet Moves On Defense And Election Rules

Japan’s political agenda on June 26 was dominated by national security, election regulation and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s push to reshape the country’s long-term economic strategy, as the Diet advanced measures that point to a broader shift in how the government is preparing for defense, technology and political campaigning.

Takaichi Government Targets 370 Trillion Yen Investment Push

The Takaichi government said on June 24 that public and private investment in 17 strategic fields, including AI and semiconductors, is expected to exceed 370 trillion yen by 2040, as it seeks to draw out private-sector spending and turn advanced technologies into economic growth.

Food Consumption Tax Cut to 1% From Next April to Be Proposed

A cross-party national council discussing a reduction in the consumption tax on food will present a draft proposal on June 24 calling for the rate to be lowered to 1% from April next year.

Imperial Reform Plan Advances as Emperor and Empress Deepen Ties in Belgium

The speakers and vice speakers of both houses of the Japanese Diet approved on June 22 the government’s outline for revising the Imperial Household Law and related measures aimed at securing the number of imperial family members, following what has been described as the consensus of the legislature.

< 2 3 4 5 >