Chinese tourists make a welcome return to Japan for high-end medical services

More wealthy Chinese tourists are visiting Japan for medical services, reflecting growing health consciousness in China post-pandemic

Beyond traditional hospitals and clinics, companies outside the healthcare sector have also made inroads attracting more Chinese tourists

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An airline employee escorts a group of Chinese tourists at Tokyo International Airport. More Chinese tourists are coming to Japan for a range of medical services. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 9:37am, 9 Jan 2024Updated: 9:55am, 9 Jan 2024

Six times a year, a 36-year-old Chinese actress makes her way to Japan – not for the glitz of film industry events, but with a different purpose in mind: to take advantage of the country’s renowned advanced medical beauty treatments.

The Beijing-based actress has long been an admirer of Japan’s aesthetic medical techniques, including treatments like Botox to smooth wrinkles and innovative procedures using stem cell injections to achieve a youthful appearance.

“The technology and service quality at Japanese clinics are exceptional,” she said, requesting anonymity. “Their focus on specialised research and the doctors’ commitment to their skills deeply impress me.”

Clinics in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza shopping district are now offering personalised preventive healthcare services to cater to health-conscious Chinese tourists. Photo: Shutterstock

The actress spends about 2 million yen (US$14,000) on beauty treatments each time she visits, during which she said she also travels to scenic spots and enjoys Japanese cuisine.

She is among a rising number of wealthy Chinese tourists who visit Japan primarily for medical services, rather than the shopping-focused trips that brought many in the past.

Travel industry experts said the trend reflects a growing health consciousness in China after the coronavirus pandemic.

Clinics and other companies in Japan are trying to seize on the expanding demand. Kenkoin Clinic, located in Tokyo’s upscale Ginza shopping district, offers personalised preventive healthcare services, featuring some of the best imaging systems in Japan, including CAT scans and MRI exams.