Recently, I broke a bone in an unexpected accident and was hospitalized in a Japanese hospital. For a while, I was completely unable to move and spent my days confined to bed. I also progressed through rehabilitation by consulting with myself each day, asking myself, “How far can I push myself that day?” There were times when I felt overwhelmed by anxiety and shame that my body wasn’t moving the way I wanted it to, but what supported me through it all were the doctors, nurses, hospital staff and all the medical professionals.

In Japan, nurses are sometimes called “angels in white.” These days, nurses come in a variety of uniform colors, but it wasn’t just their clean look that made me truly understand the origins of this term during my hospitalization. When I grimaced in pain, they would gently speak to me and help me find a more comfortable position. Even in the middle of the night, they would adjust my position with their unwavering smiles. On days when I felt down during rehabilitation, they would give me the strength to look forward with a few words. They were truly angels to me.

And what I felt most strongly during this time was the gratitude for Japan’s universal health insurance system. If you are seriously injured and hospitalized for a long time, medical expenses would normally be enormous. However, in Japan, everyone is covered by insurance and can receive the medical care they need without worry. I was protected by this system and was able to focus on treatment without being overwhelmed by financial worries.

Even when my body wasn’t moving the way I wanted it to, my heart was saved many times by the kindness of medical professionals and the country’s medical system. In Japan, there are people and systems that will support you in times of need. I would be happy if that warmth could be conveyed to people around the world and they would think, “I would like to visit Japan.”

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