Japan has witnessed a significant rise in the number of cosmetic surgery clinics in recent years, according to a recent survey released by the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare. In 2023, there were 2,016 cosmetic surgery clinics (biyō geka) with 19 or fewer beds, marking a remarkable 43.6% increase from the 1,404 clinics reported in 2020. This surge reflects the growing demand for cosmetic procedures, which are typically not covered by health insurance.
In addition to the boom in cosmetic surgery clinics, the number of plastic surgery clinics (keisei geka) also saw an increase, though at a more modest rate. As of 2023, Japan had 2,491 plastic surgery clinics, a 15.0% rise from the previous survey. Plastic surgery generally includes procedures that are covered by health insurance, such as reconstructive surgeries.
This dramatic increase in cosmetic surgery clinics is a stark contrast to the growth patterns observed over the past decade. In 2011, Japan had only 1,068 cosmetic surgery clinics. Since then, the number of these clinics has steadily increased by around 100 every three years, until the substantial spike of 600 new clinics between 2020 and 2023.
While the cosmetic surgery sector is booming, other areas of healthcare are experiencing declines. Notably, clinics focused on pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology have seen a decrease in numbers, which aligns with Japan’s ongoing demographic challenges, including a declining birthrate.
In 2023, the number of pediatric clinics fell by 1,020, a 5.4% decrease from 2020, bringing the total to 17,778. Similarly, clinics specializing in obstetrics and gynecology dropped by 51, or 1.6%, to a total of 3,092.
This shift in medical trends highlights the changing healthcare needs in Japan, with the growing demand for cosmetic and plastic surgery reflecting broader societal and cultural trends, while traditional medical specialties face challenges linked to Japan’s aging population and low birthrate.
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