[Japanese medical care as viewed by a TV program producer]

Japanese medical care which supports long life has various problems. Medical care is so specialized that people who are not specialists can not judge the suitability. You can hardly make an objective evaluation about medical care because it happens behind closed doors between a doctor and a patient. You would like your doctor to consult with another doctor about your treatment. Therefore, as a patient it is in your best interest to be involved in deciding what your treatment should be. Due to the nature of the national health care system, patients often lack interest in the method of their treatment. By giving informed consent to your doctor, you acknowledge that you understand the details of your treatment and agree to take the responsibility for the method of your treatment. Once you choose the method of treatment, you can blame nobody for the result.