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Health and Safety

2022年6月22日更新

Live in health

If you have a fever…
If you get injured…
Ochanomizu University supports the health of international students.

Ochanomizu University Health Care Center

We provide support to ensure that students can concentrate on their studies in good health. You can take medical examinations, medication, treatment of injuries and consultations for free.

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 17:00
Tel: 03-5978-5156

Ochanomizu University Health Care Center(J)

Health checkups

An International Student Health Checkup is carried out for all international students in early November each year. Do not miss this opportunity, as health checkups for exchange students, Japanese studies students, and research students are available only once a year. Health checkups for all regular students are carried out in mid-April as well.

<Useful websites, etc., for finding medical institutions>
Himawari(Tokyo Metropolitan Medical Institution Information Service)

TEL: 03-5285-8181 (Mon-Fri 9:00-20:00)
English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, and Spanish spoken

Student Counseling Office

Students can consult privately with a counselor on various issues that may arise during the course of their studies at Ochanomizu University. (In Japanese only).
Consultations are in principle by appointment only. Appointments can be made by e-mail.

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 16:00
E-mail: gsoudan@cc.ocha.ac.jp

National Health Insurance (NHI)

National Health Insurance (NHI) is a system that covers part of your medical bills in case of illness or injury based on the payment of a certain amount of insurance premiums. Regardless of how long you plan to stay in Japan, if your resident status is “Student,” be sure to enroll in the National Health Insurance. Once you enroll, you will be issued a health insurance card. When receiving treatment for injuries or illnesses, you have to present your insurance card to be eligible for the discounted payment for the cost of medical treatment and medicine by 70%. Note that the scope of coverage is specified under the rules of National Health Insurance. If you do not enroll, you will be required to pay the full cost of treatment when you receive healthcare.
How to enroll:
If you wish to enroll in the Japan’s National Health Insurance (NHI) System, present your Residence Card and follow the procedure at a local government office of municipality where you live. Insurance premiums vary more or less by municipality and by your eligibility (e.g., whether you are single or married). Inquire at the local government office of municipality where you live for details. After completing the procedure to enroll in the National Health Insurance, bring your health insurance card to the International Affairs Office.
If you move residence or get married and your address, name, or the head of your household changes, visit your local government office within 14 days and follow the procedure to change your health insurance card. You will need to bring your current health insurance card and Residence Card with you.
Japan Study Support: Be sure to enroll National Health Insurance
Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health, Tokyo: Overview of National Health Insurance (J)

Reimbursement of high medical expenses

When a NIH policyholder pays more than 35,400 yen in medical expenses to the same medical institution within the same month, the amount exceeding 35,400 yen will be reimbursed later. Request reimbursement at your local government office.

Bureau of Social Welfare and Public Health, Tokyo: What To Do When Medical Expenses are High (J)

Personal Accident Insurance for Students in the Conduct of Education and Research Activities

This is an optional accident insurance scheme in case you cause damage to another person in an accident while attending a lecture, traveling to and from school (such as a bicycle accident) or participating in education and research activities at the university. Undergraduate, graduate, and research students can enroll in the scheme. For details, contact the Student and Career Support Office (gakusei@cc.ocha.ac.jp).

Ochanomizu University Student Support Center: Day-to-day Life Support (J)

“Personal Liability Insurance for Students” and “Vehicle Liability Insurance”

These insurance schemes cover a wide range of accidents for which you may be required to pay compensation, such as bicycle accidents in daily life and accidents during classes, at university events, or when undertaking practical training. For details, contact the “Ochanomizu University Consumers’ Cooperative Association (Ocha-coop)”.
Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (J)

Living safely

Preparing for natural disasters

While natural disasters cannot be avoided, we can minimize damage by being prepared.

Earthquake

Japan is prone to earthquakes. It is important not to panic when an earthquake occurs. Read the “Ochanomizu Disaster Prevention Manual” beforehand and check where evacuation areas are located both at the university and in your neighborhood. Another good way to prepare yourself is to visit a Life Safety Learning Center, where you can experience a simulated earthquake and practice an evacuation drill.

Evacuation site in the campus
Life Safety Learning Center: Ikebukuro Life Safety Learning Center (J)

Preparing an emergency kit at home is also wise. Pack items useful for an evacuation, such as emergency food, a helmet, a radio, and sneakers. Just packing a kit isn’t enough. Be sure to inspect the items regularly. Check that food items have not exceeded their expiration date, and replenish any items that are missing.

Prepare yourself how to cope with theft, fire, bicycle accidents, etc.

Typhoons and torrential rain

Typhoons occur in Japan between May and November, bringing strong winds and heavy rain. They come closest to Japan between August and October, with some even moving inland. During torrential rains, a large amount of rain falls over a small area. These heavy rains and thunder can occur at any time of the day and last for several hours.
Recently, the metropolitan area has seen a type of torrential rain referred to as “guerrilla downpours,” which sometimes cause damage. In either situation, keep a close eye on the news and check whether public transportation is operating. Also, move items on your veranda indoors so that they are not blown away, and shut the door and all windows to keep rain from seeping in.

<Useful websites for preparing for natural disasters>
Mobile Safety Guide for Foreign Residents
Tokyo Metropolitan Government Disaster Prevention Guide Book
TMG’s Disaster Prevention Information

Ensure you don’t encounter thefts, fires or accidents

Check how to cope with thefts, fires and bicycle accidents in advance.

Preventing theft

Theft and loss of belongings might occur on campus. Take care not to leave personal items unattended, even for a moment. Always keep valuables on your person.
Even when at home, keep your door locked at all times, and check who’s visiting before opening the door. It’s also a good idea to put an additional lock on your door and windows.

In case of theft

In case of theft on campus, promptly notify the Student and Career Support Office.
In case of theft off campus, call the police or report to a nearby Koban police box. Dial “110” to call the police. The number can also be called from mobile phones.
If your credit card or bankbook is stolen, contact the credit card company or bank immediately.

Preventing fires

Choose heating appliances after having fully understood the different types and the precautions required in handling them. If you receive a secondhand heating appliance from a friend or buy one at a recycling shop, confirm it is safe before using it. Take sufficient care also when cooking so as not to cause a fire.

In case of fire

Yell “Kaji da (fire)!” and alert your neighbors. Press the emergency alarm if there is one.
Call the fire department. The telephone number is “119”. It is a good idea to ask someone close by to make the call for you.
Try the first-step of firefighting: If the flames are below your height and the fire within two minutes of outbreak, attempt to put it out using a fire extinguisher, water, or a wet blanket.

But if the fire continues to grow out of control, stop firefighting and evacuate.

In case of a car accident

If you get involved in a car accident, call the police and provide them with the following information. Dial “110” to call the police. The number can also be reached by mobile phone.
Convey the following information once the police officer arrives.

Explain what happened in a simple manner such as “Jiko desu” (There’s been an accident).
The time of the accident
The place of the accident (If you are not sure about the address, give a landmark near you.)
Your name
The phone number you are using

In the event of a traffic accident, if the person at fault (the other driver) tries to reach a private settlement with you in the scene of the accident (resolving the incident through negotiation), do not agree. You may not notice any injuries immediately after the accident, but physical pain and other after effects may develop later on. Agreeing to a private settlement without calling the police could be a disadvantage for you as the victim as the police will not issue a certificate of the accident, and you cannot claim insurance benefits without the certificate.
Please also report to your research supervisor after the accident.

Bicycle accidents

With higher awareness of health and environment, more people are riding bicycles. But not all roads in Japan are necessarily friendly to bicyclists. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of collisions between cars and bicycles, between bicycles and pedestrians, and between bicycles themselves. These accidents are becoming more serious. There has been a case in which an international student at Ochanomizu University collided with a car near their lodging. Be careful when riding a bicycle so as not to allow an accident to interfere with your studies.

In case of a bicycle accident

First help the victim. Then call the police. Even if the other person’s (or your own) injuries are minor, always exchange contact information. Please also report any accidents to your academic advisor.
Japan Study Support: Keep the Bicyclists’ Rule for Safe Driving
Japan Study Support: Lectures for Foreign Students on Disaster Control

Current Students