“Have you remembered to book your peace of mind?" is a promotion flayer used to inform tourists about the insurance. (Image credit: Kyodo News)

Travel insurance: Book your “peace of mind” when traveling to Japan

The number of tourists in Japan is likely to increase, however, some of them don’t apply for a travel insurance while staying in the country. Many government agencies have started campaigns to promote purchasing travel insurance to visitors from outside Japan.

“Have you remembered to book your peace of mind?" is a promotion flayer used to inform tourists about the insurance. The agencies use the words “peace of mind” to describe the insurance. Visitors could easily find the flayer in all Japan’s airport. When they arrive in Japan, they could directly buy the insurance via smartphones or other devices without any difficulties.

In 2018, a tourism agency conducted a survey about the insurance. The result showed 27 percent of visitors were uninsured because mostly they thought if it was unnecessary. While the other foreign visitors said they were unaware of that.

Another survey from the government revealed about 30 percents of tourists in Japan didn’t have any overseas travel insurance.

Uninsured tourists affect the health industry in Japan. A survey from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare showed approximately 20 percent of hospitals in Japan have unpaid medical bills after treating foreign visitors. One hospital was reported has to bear over 10 million yen ($92,000) unpaid medical fees.

In 2020, Japan is a host for the biggest sports events in the world, Olympics, and Paralympics. It is expected the number of foreign visitors is going to rise during the events. By doing the promotions, it is hoped to increase the tourists’ awareness on the insurance as well as to decrease the unpaid issue in medical industries.

Source: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2019/06/f1ac5f2fa997-feature-tourists-asked-to-buy-peace-of-mind-with-travel-insurance.html