SEMI Sapporo

01/07/2026

The 2026 edition of Vaccination and Children’s Health has been published by the Public Foundation of the Vaccination Research Center.

Please find the publication here:
https://www.yoboseshu-rc.com/pages/8/

This publication is also available on the Semi Sapporo website.
https://semi-sapporo.com/link/

We encourage you to take a moment to review it.

Vaccination schedules in Japan may be different from those in your home country, but they are very important to protect your baby’s health.

In Japan, vaccinations usually start at around 2 months of age. Multiple vaccines may be given at the same time. This is safe and recommended in order to protect babies as early as possible. Vaccines in Japan are divided into “routine” (often free) and “optional” (may require payment). Routine vaccines are strongly recommended.

In 2026, a new vaccine for pregnant women (the RS virus vaccine) became a part of the routine vaccine schedule, helping protect babies even before they are born. After vaccination, mild reactions such as fever or swelling may occur, but they usually go away quickly. If you are concerned, please consult a doctor.

The Maternal and Child Health Handbook (Boshi Techo) is very important to keep vaccination records. Your baby’s vaccine schedule can be adjusted based on previous vaccinations in your home country. Vaccination schedules vary between countries, but healthcare providers in Japan will support you and your baby. For more information, please consult your healthcare provider.

11/05/2026

Vaccines Not Commonly Available in Japan: Where to Get Them

When traveling abroad or returning to your home country, you may need vaccinations that are not commonly available in Japan, such as rabies, malaria, tick-borne encephalitis, mpox and yellow fever.

These vaccines are available at certain medical institutions in Sapporo.

You can find where to get them at our website below.
https://semi-sapporo.com/sickness/vaccines-at-the-designated-medical-facilities/

Thank you for your continued support. If you would like to support our activities, donations can be made here:
https://semi-sapporo.com/supportus/

By donating: As our interpreters’ services are free of charge, we kindly ask all our clients to support our services through donations. Any amount is greatly appreciated. We do not accept any dinner invitations or gifts to one particular member. Any contribution from non-client personnel or organi...

24/04/2026

In addition to night-time care, Daytime Pediatrics Care (appointments required) is now available at Sapporo Medical Association Night-Time and Holiday Emergency Medical Center on Sundays and Holidays for emergency patients.

Please make an appointment in advance using the form below. (The appointment form is only for the daytime pediatrics care)
https://select-type.com/rsv/?id=boJ2v3DNpkA&c_id=436823

Appointments open at 7:00 AM on the day of your visit.

Access: Chuo-ku, o-dori, Nishi19 WEST19
http://www.spmed.jp/kyubyo/(in Japanese)

札幌市医師会では、夜間急病センターや夜間休日診療案内などの急患医療施設情報、医学講座のご案内、かかりつけ医のご案内、各種検診・予防接種などの健康情報を提供しています。また、医療機関情報マップや在宅療養...

05/04/2026

NOTICE

As of April 1, 2026, SEMI interpreter requests will no longer be accepted through the Sapporo Medical Communication Hotline.

If you need an on-site interpreter, please reach out to SEMI directly by email once your appointment is confirmed. If phone interpretation works for you, the Sapporo Medical Communication Hotline is still available as usual.

Thank you for your understanding!

19/10/2025

MyNa Emergency Care Pilot Project Launched!　マイナ救急

What is MyNa Emergency Care?
MyNa Emergency Care is a system in which emergency medical responders use the patient’s Mynumber Health Insurance Card to access medical information such as previous hospital visits and prescribed medications. This helps reduce the burden on the patient and accompanying family members, and assists in selecting the most appropriate medical facility.

The MyNa Emergency Care Pilot Project is overseen by the Fire and Disaster Management Agency of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Since October 2025, it has been implemented by 5,334 ambulance teams across 720 fire departments nationwide.

Please carry your Mynumber Card at all times, and present it to the emergency medical staff when requested.

Benefits：
・Emergency responders will be able to obtain accurate information about the patient’s condition.
・It will greatly benefit patients who are too unwell to explain their condition and medical history.
・Accurate information enables smoother selection of the receiving hospital and allows for appropriate first aid treatment.
・Receiving hospitals can make early preparations for treatment.

Pilot Project End Date：
March 31, 2026
The end date may be subject to change.

Flyer (In Japanese)

21/09/2025

On Friday, SEMI interpreters gathered online to read the Code of Ethics together.

This annual event is essential for maintaining our professionalism as medical interpreters and reminding ourselves of the responsibilities that come with the role.

We also shared issues we have experienced on-site and discussed possible solutions.

The meeting keeps our minds fresh and aligned.

16/09/2025

Check Out the New Testimonials!
https://semi-sapporo.com/testimonial/

We’ve updated the testimonials on our website, and we are deeply grateful and proud to receive such heartfelt feedback from our clients. These words are both our pride and our greatest motivation to continue providing our services. It is an honor to know that our unwavering commitment to supporting international residents has been recognized.

Thank you so much for your trust and kind words!

In my opinion SEMI Sapporo is the best. It literally saved my life, when I was about to give up about my medical condition due to the language barrier with medical staff. I will forever be grateful to them. I wish for them to grow and find more support to reach out more as there are many people like...

03/09/2025

We are pleased to announce that SEMI Sapporo has been awarded the 2025 Soroptimist Japan Foundation Social Volunteer Award!

This award recognizes individuals or organizations that engage in ongoing, community-based volunteer activities in line with the mission of the Soroptimist Foundation, serving with sincerity and responding to local needs.

Since 2009, SEMI Sapporo has provided interpreters for approximately 11,000 cases. We are truly honored that our efforts to support international residents access healthcare have been recognized.

Inspired by this award, we will continue working to ensure that international residents can receive medical care with confidence and peace of mind through our interpreter services.

このたび、SEMIさっぽろは、
令和７年ソロプチミスト日本財団社会ボランティア賞
を受賞したことをお知らせいたします！

本賞は、ソロプチミスト財団定款の事業に掲げるいずれかの分野に該当する活動を対象に、地域社会のニーズに適合した地域密着型のボランティア活動を継続的に行い、誠実に責任を果たしている人に与えられます。

SEMIさっぽろは、2009年の設立以来約11,000件の通訳派遣を行って参りました。札幌市で、外国人の医療機関受診をサポートする私たちの活動が評価いただけたことを大変嬉しく思います。

この受賞を励みに、外国人が安心して医療を受けられるよう、通訳派遣を通じて社会に貢献して参ります。

21/07/2025

No More Application Needed for the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit if You Use a Myna Health Insurance Card!

For those with National Health Insurance;
At medical institutions and pharmacies that accept the Myna Health Insurance Card, you can present either your Myna Health Insurance Card or your Certificate of Eligibility to limit your out-of-pocket expenses (excluding non-insured medical expenses and meal fees) to the designated maximum co-payment amount, without needing to apply in advance. If you present a Certificate of Eligibility instead of the Myna Health Insurance Card, your consent will be required.

For those with other health insurance;
If you have Myna Health Insurance Card, you may also be able to use this benefit without prior application. However, if you only have a traditional health insurance card or a Certificate of Eligibility, you may still need to apply for the High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit in advance. Please check with your health insurance provider to confirm the necessary procedures.

21/07/2025

New Certificates of Eligibility (Health Insurance) have been sent by the City of Sapporo!!

The National Health Insurance Card (or the Certificate of Eligibility (資格確認書, Shikaku-kakunin-sho) or the Notice of Registered Information (資格情報のお知らせ, Shikaku-joho-no-oshirase)) you currently hold will expire at the end of July and will no longer be valid as of August 1. If you have already registered for the Myna Health Insurance Card, a new Notice of Registered Information has been sent to you. If you have not yet registered, a new Certificate of Eligibility has been issued instead.

Please be sure to bring your new health insurance card (or the Certificate of Eligibility) when visiting hospitals starting August 1.

If you have a different health insurance card, please take this opportunity to check its expiration date. Please note that health insurance cards are no longer renewed after they expire. You must switch to the Myna Health Insurance Card or obtain a valid Certificate of Eligibility to receive medical care.
For more information, please check our website.
https://semi-sapporo.com/sickness/myna-health-insurance-card/