Multilingual Medical Consultations Become "Toll-Free"
AMDA International Medical Information Center will offer toll-free multilingual medical consultations via 0120 and LINE calls starting April 2026, removing barriers to medical access for foreigners.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 06:01
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 01:00
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 08:09 (535h 8m after Collected)
AMDA International Medical Information Center (Tokyo), a specified non-profit organization, will make its multilingual telephone medical consultations toll-free (0120-339-266) starting April 1, 2026, accepting consultations at no call charge. In addition, starting mid-April 2026, it will begin handling consultations utilizing the LINE call function, making it accessible to users with data-only devices.
Through this, the aim is to eliminate medical access barriers caused not only by language but also by "call charges" and "communication methods," allowing more people with foreign roots to connect to appropriate medical care.
## Background: Medical Access Barriers Beyond "Language"
While the number of foreigners living in Japan continues to increase, there are complex issues when visiting medical institutions, such as institutional differences and lack of information, in addition to the language barrier.
Until now, our center has provided multilingual medical consultations and remote medical interpretation free of charge for consultation and interpretation fees. However, in the field, there were cases where support could not be provided for reasons such as:
- Refraining from consulting due to concerns about bearing call charges
- Inability to use the phone because of having a data-only device
## This Initiative: Expanding the Pathway Itself
In this initiative, we have redesigned the consultation pathway itself to address these "final barriers."
### 1. Introduction of Toll-Free Number (No Call Charges)
- 0120-339-266
* The conventional number (03-6233-9266) will also continue to be available.
By making the call charges free in addition to the consultation and interpretation fees, consultation becomes possible without financial burden.
### 2. Consultation Support via LINE Call (Starting Mid-April)
- Accessible to users with data SIM or Wi-Fi environments only
- Call function only (chat consultation is not available)
We respond to the diversification of smartphone usage environments and eliminate restrictions caused by communication methods.
### 3. Change of Phone Number for Supporters and Medical Institutions
- Direct number to the secretariat: 090-3359-8324
We also respond to requests for consultations and interpretations from local governments, support groups, and medical institutions.
## Service Overview
- Multilingual Medical Consultation: Weekdays 10:00 - 16:00
- Remote Medical Interpretation: Weekdays 10:00 - 15:00
Supported Languages: Easy Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, etc.
We provide guidance to medical institutions according to symptoms and regions, coordinate medical appointments through three-way calls, and offer medical interpretation.
## Social Significance
This initiative aims to function not as a special service for foreign medical care, but as a part of society's safety net.
Making calls toll-free and supporting LINE calls enables access to demographics that were previously difficult to connect to support, leading to the construction of a more effective support system for both medical and supporting institutions.
## Future Prospects
Moving forward, we aim to realize "medical support that reliably reaches those in need" by strengthening partnerships with local governments, international exchange associations, and medical institutions, further expanding consultation pathways and improving awareness.
## Organization Overview
Specified Non-Profit Organization AMDA International Medical Information Center
Location: Tokyo
Business Content: Multilingual medical consultation, remote medical interpretation
URL: [URL truncated]
Through this, the aim is to eliminate medical access barriers caused not only by language but also by "call charges" and "communication methods," allowing more people with foreign roots to connect to appropriate medical care.
## Background: Medical Access Barriers Beyond "Language"
While the number of foreigners living in Japan continues to increase, there are complex issues when visiting medical institutions, such as institutional differences and lack of information, in addition to the language barrier.
Until now, our center has provided multilingual medical consultations and remote medical interpretation free of charge for consultation and interpretation fees. However, in the field, there were cases where support could not be provided for reasons such as:
- Refraining from consulting due to concerns about bearing call charges
- Inability to use the phone because of having a data-only device
## This Initiative: Expanding the Pathway Itself
In this initiative, we have redesigned the consultation pathway itself to address these "final barriers."
### 1. Introduction of Toll-Free Number (No Call Charges)
- 0120-339-266
* The conventional number (03-6233-9266) will also continue to be available.
By making the call charges free in addition to the consultation and interpretation fees, consultation becomes possible without financial burden.
### 2. Consultation Support via LINE Call (Starting Mid-April)
- Accessible to users with data SIM or Wi-Fi environments only
- Call function only (chat consultation is not available)
We respond to the diversification of smartphone usage environments and eliminate restrictions caused by communication methods.
### 3. Change of Phone Number for Supporters and Medical Institutions
- Direct number to the secretariat: 090-3359-8324
We also respond to requests for consultations and interpretations from local governments, support groups, and medical institutions.
## Service Overview
- Multilingual Medical Consultation: Weekdays 10:00 - 16:00
- Remote Medical Interpretation: Weekdays 10:00 - 15:00
Supported Languages: Easy Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Thai, Filipino, etc.
We provide guidance to medical institutions according to symptoms and regions, coordinate medical appointments through three-way calls, and offer medical interpretation.
## Social Significance
This initiative aims to function not as a special service for foreign medical care, but as a part of society's safety net.
Making calls toll-free and supporting LINE calls enables access to demographics that were previously difficult to connect to support, leading to the construction of a more effective support system for both medical and supporting institutions.
## Future Prospects
Moving forward, we aim to realize "medical support that reliably reaches those in need" by strengthening partnerships with local governments, international exchange associations, and medical institutions, further expanding consultation pathways and improving awareness.
## Organization Overview
Specified Non-Profit Organization AMDA International Medical Information Center
Location: Tokyo
Business Content: Multilingual medical consultation, remote medical interpretation
URL: [URL truncated]