Editorial

16:23 JST, December 29, 2025

Specific plans have at last been finalized regarding two focal issues in social security system reform. To curb ever-rising medical expenditures, a certain increase in the burden on patients is unavoidable.

The government should provide thorough explanations and seek understanding from patients.

Regarding the high-cost medical care benefit system that limits patients’ out-of-pocket payments when medical costs become high, the copayment amount is envisaged to be raised by 4% to 38% depending on patients’ annual income. This will be implemented in two stages through August 2027.

Patients in the annual income bracket of about ¥6.5 million to ¥7.7 million are set to face the maximum 38% increase in their copayments. The monthly cap, which is currently set at about ¥80,000, is planned to be about ¥110,000 in........

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