All foreign visitors travelling to Japan will be screened for past unpaid medical bills before being allowing entry.
The government is considering bringing in rules next year which will deny entry to foreigners who have racked up unpaid hospital bills.
It follows a survey conducted by the health ministry two years ago which found hospitals were unable to collect 35% of bills.
The health, labor and welfare ministry and the justice ministry will set an amount which would warrant denial of entry if a traveller’s unpaid bill exceeded it.
To support the measure medical interpreters will be posted at hospitals on a trial basis to help avoid any confusion over payment, often attributed to the language barrier.
It will also launch campaigns in source markets via diplomatic channels to encourage travellers to take out travel insurance.
Japan is not the only country cracking down on tourists who cut and run after a spell in hospital.
Thailand attempted to bring in compulsory travel insurance for all foreign tourists last year and Taiwan targeted a similar measure for Chinese travellers.
