Area of Science:

• Health economics
• Public health policy
• Healthcare systems analysis

Background:

• Japan's universal healthcare system offers free access but faces financial instability.
• Fragmented insurance societies and government subsidies struggle with cumulative deficits.
• The system's premium structure disadvantages low-income and unstable workers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the financial sustainability and equity of Japan's universal healthcare system.
• To evaluate the impact of recent healthcare reforms on economic efficiency and access.
• To identify challenges in managing healthcare expenditures within the Japanese context.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of healthcare financing mechanisms.
• Review of insurance premium structures and social benefit schemes.
• Examination of government healthcare policies and reforms.

Main Results:

• Despite universal access, the system suffers from financial insecurity and regressive premiums.
• Social benefit schemes have limited reach, capturing only 1.6% of the vulnerable population.
• Recent reforms focus on cost containment through access and pricing controls, with limited scope.

Conclusions:

• Japan's universal healthcare system requires reform to address financial deficits and improve equity.
• Current policies inadequately support low-income and unstable workers.
• Further policy interventions are needed to ensure long-term economic efficiency and social protection.