Shonan Beauty Clinic, under the management services of SBC Medical Group Holdings, has launched a new translation app for medical aesthetics staff as part of a broader initiative aimed at enhancing Japan’s medical tourism industry.
TOKYO, January 20, 2025 – Shonan Beauty Clinic, supported by SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (Nasdaq: SBC), has unveiled a cutting-edge translation app designed for use by medical aesthetics professionals. This move is a key component of the clinic’s comprehensive “Inbound-Focused Clinics” initiative, which aims to streamline services for international patients and further capitalize on the growing global demand for medical tourism.
The translation app addresses the significant language barrier often encountered by international patients seeking high-quality medical aesthetics in Japan. With the app, clinic staff can seamlessly communicate with patients in their native languages, offering a smoother consultation process and ensuring patients feel confident and well-informed about their treatment options.
The global medical aesthetics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.17%, reaching $212.5 billion by 2032. As countries like Japan, South Korea, and Thailand emerge as key players in medical tourism, Japan has seen an increasing number of international patients seeking aesthetic treatments. Shonan Beauty Clinic alone attracts over 10,000 inbound patients annually, with inquiries surpassing 20,000 each year. Among the primary drivers of this growth are China and other English-speaking countries, prompting SBC to enhance its operational infrastructure and expand its capacity to accommodate this demand.
In response to the diverse linguistic needs of its growing international clientele, SBC has developed a proprietary translation app specifically designed for medical aesthetics. Currently, the app supports English and Chinese, with plans to include more languages in the future. This technology ensures that medical terminology is accurately translated, improving the consultation experience for international patients and facilitating clear communication about pre-treatment details and care.
The app is also expected to be rolled out across SBC’s entire network of clinics, providing a seamless service for patients from all over the world. The ability to bridge language gaps with ease is a crucial element in offering an accessible and welcoming environment for global patients seeking medical treatments in Japan.
As part of its strategy to cater to the growing number of inbound medical tourists, SBC has designated three of its clinics—Shinjuku Main Clinic, Shinbashi-Ginza Clinic, and Osaka Umeda Clinic—as flagship “Inbound-Focused Clinics.” These locations are staffed with bilingual concierges fluent in English and Chinese, ensuring that language is never a barrier to quality care. The initiative will soon expand to other major Japanese cities, including Yokohama, Nagoya, Sendai, and Sapporo, as SBC aims to double its annual inbound patient volume to 20,000 by the end of this year.
SBC’s vision goes beyond providing aesthetic treatments—it is committed to creating an exceptional experience that integrates beauty, confidence, and Japan’s unique cultural and technological strengths. By merging cutting-edge medical technology with Japan’s renowned hospitality, SBC is positioning itself as a leader in the medical tourism sector. This initiative not only supports the growth of inbound tourism but also contributes to regional development and revitalization, further boosting Japan’s medical tourism sector.
Headquartered in Irvine, California, and Tokyo, Japan, SBC Medical Group provides management services and products to cosmetic treatment centers. The company specializes in offering comprehensive services to franchisee clinics, including marketing, staff management, facility design, medical equipment supply, and customer loyalty programs. SBC is also involved in the development and management of innovative medical technologies and software solutions for the beauty and healthcare industries.
You Might Be Interested In:
