Job Discussion Forums

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

If anyone goes for the medical exam in-country in the days and weeks to come, could you please ask the clinic personnel what blood tests they are performing? I'm trying to find out which countries do and do not test for hepatitis C, and it's very hard to get consistent information. I'm thinking my best bet is to ask someone newly arrived to ask at the clinic exactly what they're testing for. If this is you, if you don't mind, could you please post or send a PM? I would appreciate it very, very much. This will help me out a lot. Thanks in advance.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

What do you mean by "the" medical exam. The annual work physical? If not, I would think that it depends on what the person is in for.

If a person has a regular work physical (I do every year), then I don't think so. I also have the option of going in to a hospital or clinic and getting a larger workup because of my age. I have not opted for that.

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:22 am Post subject:

I had a medical in April. There was a chest x-ray, checks for weight, height and blood pressure, then an eye-sight and urine test. Our BOE didn't require us to have a blood test.

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

The medical exam I'm referring to is the initial exam that most countries require of new employees soon after they arrive in Japan. It's the exam that's required to obtain a residence card and/or a work visa.

seklarwia · Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 4:02 pm Post subject:

The medical isn't required for either the visa or ARC in Japan and I'm not entirely certain it is as common as you think (although a full medical including blood tests was required for my Chinese residence permit). When you apply for the work visa they do not ask for any medical details/history.

Medical results are often asked for by employers or by BOEs (in the case of ALTs) and as I said before; my BOE didn't ask me to have any blood tests when I started in April.

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

Hmm...that's interesting. I did assume that most countries, or at least some entity (the embassy, the local govt, the employer, etc.) requires an exam of some sort. What they test for can vary greatly even within the same country which makes the policy harder to find out. The info you've provided is very helpful. Thanks.

GambateBingBangBOOM · Joined: 04 Nov 2003 Posts: 2021 Location: Japan

There isn't one of those for Japan. But most employers (schools etc) have yearly examinations- mandatory, basically. Not sure what the blood test is for- sometimes the results aren't even given to you, they're given to your boss, and when you get them, chances are you won't be able to read them.

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

[quote="GambateBingBangBOOM"]Not sure what the blood test is for- [/quote]

So you had a blood test done? That's interesting because another post-er did not (see previous posts). Would you mind sharing your city or town or even your employer? Again, PMs are welcomed if preferred.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Blood test for me (HS and university) has been for standard electrolytes and enzymes.

I concur with others that there is no blood test required for people to enter the country as a new employee.

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

I'm keeping track of your experiences, and so far: Some have had 1) exams with blood tests, 2) exams with no blood tests, or 3) no exam. It is helpful to get feedback on your personal experiences. Please keep them coming. Since there's no consistent policy for the country (why isn't there??), I fear that the locality I end up end if I go will spring a surprise on me. That happened to me before in another country when despite my inquiring on the forum and of other teachers at the school, and being told that they'd only test for HIV, they tested for several other things including hep b& c which resulted in me having to leave. Just don't want that to happen again.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Spring a surprise on you? That's a bit unlikely here.

See what JET asks of its ALTs. That's probably the worst case you'll ever get for a beginning job here.

From the JET FAQ:

megone · Joined: 21 Jun 2008 Posts: 49

Glenski, thanks very much for the JET quote. It's encouraging to know that this might not be held against me after all.

I am not, and therefore, have never mentioned being worried about someone "finding out", so I'm not sure why the quotations are there. I don't mind 'fessing up. My concern has been being barred from a job and having to leave a country b/c of it. Once you go through that once like I did, you do everything you can to keep that from happening again. That said, what I've been told on this forum leads me to believe that that may not happen in Japan.

As far as worrying about the conditions itself, I don't b/c my liver functions are all normal and other tests show very little or no damage. Treatment is not warranted at this time, and my doc told me 'see you in a year.' Besides, worrying about it will change nothing.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

seklarwia · Posted: Mon Aug 17, 2009 2:05 am Post subject: