Information on Covid-19　

新型コロナウイルスに関する情報

Read in Japanese

This section contains information about Covid-19.
Please note that the information provided below may have changed. Please contact each organization directly to check the latest information on the support services listed here and on each service.

MENU
1.Latest News
2.Information of Covid-19 in Japan
3.How do we prevent Covid-19?
4.When you suspect you may have Covid-19
5.How to get the vaccine
6.Obligation to report on foreign nationals without residence status
7.Supports by Japanese government
8.Counseling Services

1.Latest News

Measures to be taken based on the basic response policy（2022/3/10 updated）

Priority preventative measures are in force in the following period and regions.Please do your part to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
From January 21, 2022 to March 21, 2022：Gunma, Saitama, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Gifu, Aichi, Kagawa, Kumamoto
From January 27, 2022 to March 21, 2022：Hokkaido, Aomori, Ibaraki, Tochigi, Ishikawa, Shizuoka, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo

2.Information of Covid-19 in Japan

Here are some websites where you can find information about the situation of the COVID-19 in Japan.

●NHK ”Coronavirus updates”: Japanese, English
●TOYO KEIZAI online “Coronavirus Disease(COVID-19) Situation Report in Japan：Japanese, English
●Tokyo Metropolitan Government ”Updates on COVID-19 in TOKYO”：Japanese, Easy Japanese, English
●Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare”Information of COVID-19″：Japanese、Multilingual

3.How do we prevent Covid-19?

What do we need to be aware of?

Due to Covid-19, measures are taken to prevent infection in daily life. For example, you may be required to use a sanitizer or take your temperature when you enter a supermarket or restaurant. The following is a brief introduction to the concept of infection prevention and typical prevention methods used in Japan.

Avoid the “Three Cs” (closed spaces, crowded places、close-contact settings)

Cluster infections happen in “spaces where people gather closely together” with “poor ventilation” and “places where there is a high risk of contact with an unspecified number of people”. It is recommended to avoid going to such places as much as possible and, if this is unavoidable, to wear a mask, keep well ventilated, avoid talking loudly and avoid talking at a distance where your hands are touching each other.

Preventing the spread of infection with “Proper Etiquette when Coughing”

Covid-19 can also be spread by ‘droplets’ from talking, coughing or sneezing. It is recommended that you wear a mask when you go out and that you cover your mouth and nose with a mask, tissue, handkerchief, sleeve or the inside of your elbow when you cough or sneeze.
In Japan you often see the word of “Proper Etiquette when Coughing” ,is to use a mask, tissue, handkerchief, sleeve or the inside of your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.

Wash your hands

There is a possibility that the virus attaches your hands by touching doorknobs, train rails and other objects. Wash your hands with soap when you get home, before and after cooking, and before eating. If you can, use a sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

What you should be aware of if you think someone in your family may have Covid-19.

Family members and those who live with you should also take their temperature, check their health and avoid going out unnecessarily. It is encouraged not to go a workplace and school. They may have its own specific rules.

 Reference

 ●Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare “Preventing infection” (Japanese, English)

4.When you suspect you may have Covid-19

 When you suspect you may have Covid-19

If you have any of the following symptoms, please consult with your family doctor or the Local call center in the area where you live. Although you do not have these symptoms, you can consult with them if you get fever, or other symptoms.

1. Those who have heavy physical fatigues, trouble breathing or a high fever.
   
2. Those who are a high risk person(*) with fever, cough or other comparatively light cold symptoms.
   (*)the elderly, those with underlying health conditions such as diabetes,cardiac insufficiency,and respiratory diseases(COPD etc…),or those undergoing dialysis or those taking any immunosuppressive drugs such as cancer medication.
   
3. Someone other than those listed above with continuing light cold symptoms such as fever or cough.

A list of the Coronavirus Consultation Centers (for returnees and people in contact with those infected)
HERE (Japanese, English Easy Japanese)

Costs of tests and treatments

If your doctor or health center decides that you need a PCR test, you do not have to pay for it. Otherwise, if you want to take the test yourself, you have to pay for it. If you go to the hospital because you suspect you have Covid-19, for example because you have a fever, you may have to pay for an initial examination and consultation. However, the cost of hospital treatment for Covid-19 infection is covered by the government and is free.

Reference

 ●Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare”Q&A”（For medical institutions and inspection institutions）: Japanese Only

When you have a positive Covid-19 result

The hospital or health center where you were tested will contact you with the results. You will be asked to identify the date of onset of Covid-19, to identify close contacts, and to describe your previous activities and physical condition. Depending on your symptoms, underlying medical condition and age, you may be placed in hospital, a recovery accommodation facility or at home. Whether or not you have to pay for a recovery accommodation facility depends on the local authority.

The criteria for leaving hospital are 10 days after the onset of symptoms and 72 hours after the symptoms have passed. For those who are symptom-free, the treatment period ends after 10 days from the date of the positive result. However, it depends on your treatment, symptoms and circumstances and you should follow the instructions of your doctor or health center.

Reference

 ●Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare”The basic concept of the subject of medical treatment for people with minor illnesses, etc.”: Japanese Only

5.How to get the vaccine

When you are registered as a resident

If you want to be vaccinated, you can apply. The procedure differs from municipality to municipality. If you have received a vaccination voucher at the address where you live, follow the instructions to make an appointment. If you do not know how to make an appointment, contact the call center or health center of the municipality where you are living.

When you have no visa status or resident registration

Foreign nationals who do not have visa status (e.g. provisional releasees) can also be vaccinated free of charge. However, as you are not registered as residents, you need to contact their local government office or call center to apply for the vaccine and to obtain the necessary documents.

Vaccine Booster Shots (3rd Dose)

Additional vaccination (3rd vaccination) is available for people aged 18 years and over who have already had their first and second vaccinations in Japan and who have been vaccinated for a certain period of time (mainly 6-7 months) since the date of the second vaccination.

 Reference

●Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare「Information about vaccine in a foreign language」(Japanese, English, Multilingual)
●Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare”COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots (3rd Dose)”(Japanese, English)
●International Social Service Japan”COVID-19 Vaccination for Persons without Status of Residence” (Japanese, English)

6.Obligation to report on foreign nationals without residence status

Under Article 62(2) of Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act(ICRRA), any official of the government or a local public entity is obliged to report when they are aware of a foreign national who falls under “grounds of deportation” .

However, this provision shall NOT be construed as that officials must immediately report any suspected foreign national, including those who have overstayed their period of stay but have not yet made an appearance at an immigration office. It is not necessarily the case that other administrative purposes cannot be achieved by reporting; for the operations for welfare, medical care, education, labor, etc.,The decision of reporting can be made on a case-by-case basis.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) has officially announced that the primary objective is to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and that “even for foreign nationals who fall under the grounds for deportation, it is necessary to implement appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases (Act No. 114 of 1998) and other relevant laws”, and therefore “it is possible to decide individually whether to report or not to report”.

It is not compulsory for local authorities to report to the Immigration Services Agency(ISA) when they become aware of the presence of a foreigner without residence at the time of vaccination, PCR test or medical treatment for Covid-19. There is no obligation on private hospitals to make such a report under the ICRRAt.

Reference

 ●The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), “Handling of Reporting Obligations Based on Article 62, Paragraph 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act in Implementing Countermeasures against Novel Coronavirus Infections”.（Japanese Only）

7.Supports by Japanese government

Financial Assistance and Procedure for Moratorium on Payment 

Regardless of nationality, the government provides income assistance or a procedure for moratorium on payment for any of those who live in Japan. For example, you may be eligible for the following assistance. Please check if you are eligible for each of them.

・Emergency Petty Cash Fund – A special loan is offered by the Council of Social Welfare of each prefecture to those who are having trouble paying living expenses because of work suspension or unemployment caused by the Covid-19.

・Special financial support for low income families with children.

・Grace period for social insurance, utility bills.

・Leave allowance if a worker must take leave for reasons that the company is responsible for.

Reference

●The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare “About work and life support”（Easy Japanese, English）
●Immigration Services Agency of Japan”About financial support”(Only Japanese)
●The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW)”Monetary Assistance for Everyday Lives” (Easy Japanese, English)

Assistance for Applicants for Recognition of Refugee Status

The government provides livelihood assistance to those who are in refugee recognition procedure and are suffering from financial hardship.　 You can apply from anywhere in Japan. Financial assistance (living expenses, accommodation expenses and medical expenses) and emergency accommodation are provided under the assistance scheme.

Persons who are eligible to apply for assistance are limited to those who fulfill one of the conditions below;

・Persons who are on the first refugee recognition application to the Ministry of Justice
・Persons who make an objection against the result of the first application to the Ministry of Justice, and who file a case to a law court of a first instance for a rejection of the first refugee recognition application if s/he is not on the first refugee recognition application to the Ministry of Justice.

In order to receive assistance, you will need to contact the Refugee Service Headquarters (RHQ), the national contractor for the assistance. This process usually takes a month or more.

Refugee Service Headquarters (RHQ) Assistance Division

Tel：0120-925-357, 03-3449-7029
Time and date：10:00-12:30, 13:30-17:00 (Weekday)

Reference

 ●Assistance for Applicants for Recognition of Refugee Status （Japanese, English）

8.Counseling Services

●Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ”Local call center” （Easy Japanese, English）

●Tokyo Multilingual Consultation Navi  (Japanese, Easy Japanese, English, Others)
A consultation service for foreign nationals living in Tokyo. A wide range of consultation services are available in many languages, for example, advice on daily life and Covid-19.

Language：English,French, Easy Japanese etc. available 14 languages
Time：M10:00 – PM 4:00 Mon~Fri
Close：Satruday, Sunday, National Holiday, New year and eve

●Cabinet Office, Government of Japan “Domestic Violence Hotline Plus”（Japanese,  English）
You can talk to the national counseling service 24 hours a day about various types of violence you are experiencing from your partner. The telephone and email services are available only in Japanese, but the chat service is also available in other languages (e.g. English).

●Point-and-Speak YUBISASHI（English, French）
This is a book of Japanese phrase and vocabulary to help you communicate in Japanese about various topics including Covid-19 .

●NGO Counseling Services by FRJ（Japanese. English）
A list of consultation services provided by NGOs supporting refugees and asylum seekers. They provide free counseling services on refugee applications, residence status, living and medical issues.