Japan Medical Association President Kichiro Matsumoto, right, is seen during a news conference in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward, Sept. 17, 2025. (Mainichi/Ayami Abe)
TOKYO — About 40% of general clinics in Japan operated in the red in fiscal 2024, according to a survey released by the Japan Medical Association (JMA) on Sept. 17.
The group believes that rising prices and increased labor costs were major factors. JMA President Kichiro Matsumoto stated at a press conference, “The business environment surrounding clinics, not just hospitals, is extremely severe,” and called on the government to significantly raise medical service fees in its fiscal 2026 revision and to provide subsidies.
The survey was conducted among JMA members in June and July, with valid responses from 6,761 general clinics (medical corporations).
The results showed that the proportion of clinics operating at a loss rose from 24.6% in fiscal 2023 to 39.2% in fiscal 2024. In addition to inflation, the end of COVID-19-related subsidies and special measures for medical service fees contributed significantly to the decline in revenue.
By medical department, profit margins dropped sharply in internal medicine, pediatrics and otolaryngology, which had been handling fever and other infectious disease measures.
Matsumoto warned, “If losses continue to increase, clinics will go bankrupt. Policies aimed at reducing medical expenses are a major blow to community health care and do not benefit the public.”
Regarding operations of medical institutions, hospital groups such as the All Japan Hospital Association have also submitted urgent requests to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare for support, citing a dire situation caused by rising prices and labor costs.
(Japanese original by Ayami Abe, Lifestyle, Science & Environment News Department)
AloJapan.com