Japanese health spending hits record high
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Japan's total medical expenditure under health insurance schemes rose by 3% to a record ¥33,400 billion ($321 billion) in the fiscal year to March 31st, driven in large part by an expanding aged population, new official data show. The increase came despite cost cutting measures over the last few years which have included increases in patient co-payments. Average per capita costs were up by 3% to ¥262,000 while costs for patients aged over 70 rose by 2% to ¥757,000, the central social insurance medical council (Chuikyo) reported.