Japanese Government considers making private health insurance compulsory for Tokyo 2020 visitors

The Japanese Government is reportedly considering making private health insurance compulsory for Tokyo 2020 visitors after a proposal was put forward by the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

Kyodo News reported that the proposal put forward by the Liberal Democratic Party would make it compulsory for all visitors to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics to take out private health insurance as well as testing negative for Covid-19.

The 2020 games were postponed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Japanese Government has reiterated that the Games will go ahead in 2021 despite the ongoing issues across the world. The proposal has been made due to the fact that the Japanese population is currently having to bear the financial cost of treating overseas visitors.

The situation arose when the Diamond Princess cruise ship was docked in the Yokohama port in February and recorded almost 700 cases of Covid-19 amongst passengers and crew, all of whom were treated at Japanese hospitals, therefore costing the Japanese public. However, the law would need to be amended for the Government to make private health insurance compulsory for all visitors.

The Olympics are scheduled to take place between 23 July and 8 August 2021 and the Paralympics between 24 August and 5 September, with organisers working to protect the health of athletes and spectators throughout the Games. The Japanese Government is still hoping to have a full spectator Games will full stadiums and the news of advancements with Covid-19 vaccines will provide a large boost to these hopes.