Medical Services and Anti-Doping

Information on First Aid and Medical Services (Pre-Tournament Notice: updated October 22nd)

To ensure that all delegation members can participate in the competitions with peace of mind, first-aid and medical systems are in place at each venue.
Building upon the information already provided in the "Games Services Guide (First-aid Services)" this notice provides additional, more detailed information.
Please make sure to review it carefully.
more information, please refer to the following document:

 About First Aid Stations

A First Aid Station is set up at every competition venue and related facility.

• The opening hours of each First Aid Station are generally from 30 minutes before the start of competitions or practice sessions to 30 minutes after their conclusion.
• During the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the First Aid Station will open and close according to the timing of athlete and spectator entry and exit.
• Only first aid treatment is provided at the First Aid Stations.

In Japan, "first aid treatment" refers, for example, to：

・Immobilization and icing for bone fractures
・Hemostasis using bandages, etc.
・Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), artificial respiration, and the use of AEDs in cases of cardiac arrest

Points to note：

• Medical procedures (e.g., injections, IV drips, sutures, etc.) are not performed at the First Aid Stations.
• Massage, stretching, or other conditioning support are not provided by the first aid staff.
• The composition and number of staff assigned to each venue may vary depending on the risk of injuries and the characteristics of each sport. Some venues may not include certain professional roles, and the number of staff may be adjusted according to the competition scale.
• For the location of the First Aid Station, please ask the venue operation staff. They will guide you.

The typical professional staff assigned include：

• Physicians
• Nurses
• Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
• Athletic Trainers, etc.

Emergency Transportation

• When the first aid staff at a competition venue determine that an emergency transfer is required, the patient will be transported to the nearest cooperating medical institution or other nearby hospital.
• When an injured athlete visits a First Aid Station or is transported by ambulance, a representative of the delegation must accompany them.
• All medical expenses incurred at medical institutions must be paid by each athlete or delegation.

Handling of Used Needles, Syringes, etc.

• Used needles, syringes, or similar items must not be disposed of as regular waste.
• Each individual must prepare a puncture-proof container and manage it responsibly.
• At the end of the competition (e.g., on the final day), individuals should bring these containers to the venue's First Aid Station and hand them over collectively to the first aid staff.
• If you do not know where the First Aid Station is located, please ask the nearest event staff for assistance.

Medical Insurance

• Each athlete and others will be responsible for all medical expenses paid at medical institutions.
• Since medical expenses may be high depending on the symptoms of injury or illness, be sure to purchase private medical insurance that provides adequate coverage and services before coming to Japan. 

For information on the need for private medical insurance and the private medical insurance that can be purchased after entry into Japan, please refer to the following. 

• For safe travels in japan(Guide for when you are feeling ill) | Japan National Tourism Organization

Reference：In case of malfunctioning with your hearing aid or cochlear implant.

If your hearing aid or cochlear implant is malfunctioning, you can visit one of the following service centers for assistance.Please contact the store of your hearing aid brand or cochlear implant.
The repair cost is your responsibility.
For routine maintenance, please handle it individually after returning home.

• Hearing Aid Service Centers（PDF: 398KB）
• Cochlear Implant Service Centers（PDF: 278KB）

Medical Services

Japanese Healthcare System

• General information about the Japanese healthcare system is described in detail in the following links, so be sure to check the contents beforehand.Since medical institutions that can deal with foreign the injured or sick can also be searched, be sure to check them.
  

  For safe travels in Japan ： Japan National Tourism Organization
  http://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html

• Medical expenses for medical visits are self-paid. Medical fees can be expensive, and some medical institutions do not accept credit cards, so be sure to have enough Japanese yen available when visiting a medical institution.

• The LOC is not responsible for any medical expenses related to medical visits. If the injured or sick does not have sufficient Japanese yen, the athletes of the respective national delegation must take care of it and pay for it.

• An escort must be chosen from the delegation of injured or sick and must accompany the injured or sick during the medical visit.（it is preferable that the escort be someone who can converse in speech）

• Since medical expenses may be high depending on the symptoms of injury or illness, be sure to purchase private medical insurance that provides adequate coverage and services before coming to Japan.

Brings in medicines etc. as a team into Japan by Team Doctors, etc

When a team doctors of each national delegation to bring in medicines and medical devices for the purpose of their team (hereinafter referred to as " Bringing in medicines etc. as a team ") , we kindly ask that the required documents be submitted by Sunday, June 15, 2025,in accordance with the Delegation Services Guide (p. 24).

Reference

• Games Service Guide (4.4　Medicines and Medical Devices)

However, if it is difficult to prepare and submit all the required documents by the above deadline, please review the important notes below and complete the designated form by Sunday, June 15, 2025 (Japan Time, 23:59). After that, the Deaflympics Preparation and Operation Office (hereinafter referred to as the "Operation Office"), which is part of the LOC, will provide instructions on how to proceed with the application. For each national delegation that applies to bringing in medicines etc. as a team without responding via the form, the Operation Office will not be able to provide any support.

Important Notes

• Following guidance from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, ｂringing in medicines etc. as a team must be consolidated by the event Organising Committee based on applications from each national delegation, and reported to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (Kanto-Shinetsu Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare). For the Tokyo 2025 Deaflympics, this process will be managed and coordinated by the Operation Office.
• Each national delegation that will not be bringing in medicines etc. as a team or each national delegation that has submitted a complete application with all required documents by June 15, 2025, are not required to complete the form.
• As a general rule, each national delegation may submit only one application. However, in exceptional cases, such as when multiple team doctors arrive on different air flights, multiple applications may be accepted. In such cases, the delegation must complete the application process for each individual submission.
• Bringing in medicines etc. as a team should, in principle, be carried as hand luggage on board the aircraft. If they must be shipped as cargo, the cargo shipment is also subject to the application process. However, all shipping costs must be borne by each national delegation. The Operation Office will not be responsible for any such arrangements.
• If there are any uncertainties or questions regarding the submitted applications or responses, the Operation Office may contact the 　each national delegation for clarification. In such cases, prompt responses are required.
• If each national delegation fails to respond by the deadline specified by the Operation Office, the team will not be permitted to bring in medicines etc. as a team.
• For each national delegation that applies to bringing in medicines etc. as a team after June 15, 2025, without responding via the form, the Operation Office will not be able to provide any support. In such cases, each national delegation is responsible for taking appropriate measures, such as treating the imports as an individual import rather than a team import.
• By registering and applying for ｂringing in medicines etc. as a team, you agree to the collection and use of personal information, as well as its provision to contractors entrusted by the Operation Office to handle the application process. This will be done in accordance with the Personal Information Protection Policy of the Tokyo Sports Benefits Corporation, the principal body of the Operation Office, and the Detailed Regulations Regarding Personal Information Protection for the Deaflympics Preparation and Operation Office.

Anti-Doping

Anti-Doping Programme

• At the TOKYO 2025 DEAFLYMPICS, doping control will be conducted in accordance with the "ICSD Anti-Doping Regulations."

For more information, please refer to the following document:

• Games Services Guide (Anti-Doping)

Emergency Medical Information Card

The Emergency Medical Information Card enables individuals to record important medical details, including medical history, current medications, and allergies, in advance. This card can be used to provide essential medical information and support communication in the event of an emergency or when receiving medical care at medical institutions.

Distribution

During the Games, the Emergency Medical Information Card will be provided together with your ID (identification card) card, placed inside the ID card holder.
After receiving it, please remove the card, fill in the required information, and place it back in the holder. Please keep it with you at all times.
You may also print and complete the Emergency Medical Information Card in advance using the link below and bring it with you to the venue before the Games.

• The Emergency Medical Information Card is especially useful for Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals as an effective means of communication in emergency situations. We strongly  recommend you to complete and make use of the card.
• For hearing individuals as well, the card can serve as a vital tool to convey  personal information when they are unconscious or unable to speak. It is therefore recommended to fill out the card and carry it with you.
  The reverse side of the card also includes a Point-and-Speak sheet to support communication--please make full use of it.
• Emergency Medical Information Card（PDF: 1.1MB）

Infectious Disease Precautions

Information on Infectious Diseases Currently Prevalent in Japan

Submission of a valid vaccine certificate or pre-departure inspection certificate is not required at entry into Japan as of September 2025.
During the Games period (November 2025), it is the time of the year in Japan when infectious diseases such as influenza, COVID-19, norovirus, and other forms of infectious gastroenteritis and foodborne illnesses typically begin to spread.
While staying in Japan, we ask that you actively follow basic infection prevention measures such as hand disinfection and regular handwashing to help protect yourself and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Basic Infection Prevention Measures

Please refer to the Multilingual Guidebook for Visiting Medical Facilities（PDF: 4.2MB）.

Recommended Vaccinations Before the Games

For large international events held in Japan, the following infectious diseases are major concerns: measles, invasive meningococcal disease, Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), and enterohemorrhagic E. coli infections.
Among these, measles, which has seen a recent increase in domestic cases due to imported cases from overseas, and invasive meningococcal disease, which can progress rapidly and has also been increasing in cases, require special attention.
Vaccination before the Games is strongly recommended to help prevent infection with these diseases.

Multilingual Guidebook for Visiting Medical Facilities

To help you access medical care with ease in case of illness, we provide a Multilingual Guidebook for Visiting Medical Facilities designed for international visitors.
This guidebook is available in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai, Spanish, and Japanese. It includes the following information:

• Steps to take when feeling unwell
• Current situation of infectious diseases in Japan
• How to find a medical facility
• Procedures for visiting a medical facility
• "Point-and-Speak" sheet for describing symptoms and medical conditions

In particular, the "Point-and-Speak" sheet is designed to assist communication with healthcare professionals. By downloading it to your smartphone or other device in advance, you can use it smoothly during medical visits. Please review it beforehand and use it as needed.

• Multilingual Guidebook for Visiting Medical Facilities（PDF: 4.2MB）

Regarding Mandatory Reporting When Diagnosed with an Infectious Disease During the Games

If you visit a medical facility in Japan due to illness and are diagnosed with an infectious disease, please follow the procedures below:

For athletes and members of national delegations

You must immediately inform the team leader or representative. Be sure to obtain and report the name of the infectious disease as diagnosed by the physician.

For representatives of national delegations who receive such reports

Please report the case to the Preparation and Operation Office through the team liaison staff without fail.

※Details regarding the team liaison staff will be provided later on the dedicated team website.

For those diagnosed with an infectious disease

Follow the instructions given by your physician. To prevent further spread of the infection, avoid contact with others as much as possible and rest at your accommodation.

Procedures When Designated as a Health Monitoring Subject During the Games

In Japan, if it is confirmed that you have contracted certain infectious diseases such as measles, the public health center will conduct an investigation into your recent activities.

Based on the Results of the Activity Investigation

Individuals identified as having had contact with an infected person

You will be designated as a "health monitoring subject" and instructed to report any symptoms if you feel unwell.

If you are designated as a health monitoring subject and begin to feel unwell

Immediately inform the Deaflympics Preparation and Operation Office through your team representative (e.g., team leader) and follow any instructions promptly.

Emergency Medical Consultation Service

This service offers online advice on whether emergency care or a hospital visit is needed, including ambulance use, medical facility guidance, and self-care for injuries based on the urgency of the situation.

Service Period

From 9:00 a.m, 11 November 2025 To 6:00 p.m, 26 November 2025 (Japan Standard Time)

※This service is available only during the above period.

Consultation Topics

1. Guidance on medical facilities and confirmation of their availability
2. Assessment of urgency and severity based on the criteria established by Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency
3. Information on payment methods (e.g., whether international credit cards are accepted)
4. Advice on how to manage symptoms

Important Notes

1. When using phone or video calls, if the patient can speak, they should contact the service directly. If the patient is unable to speak, a speaking member of the national delegation should make the inquiry.
2. As interpretation support is included, each consultation may take approximately 15 to 20 minutes, and there may be a short wait before assistance is available.
3. To ensure fair access to emergency consultations, sessions may be limited to about 20 minutes during peak times. Even in such cases, we will still provide guidance on medical facilities.
4. Reservations at medical institutions cannot be made through this service.
5. Please note that the number of facilities we can refer to may be limited.
6. This service does not provide medical diagnoses, treatment decisions, or assessments regarding medication use.
7. When using email or fax, responses may take up to one hour. You may also search for medical institutions using the website below:

For safe travels in Japan: Japan National Tourism Organization：http://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/jpn/mi_guide.html

Details

• Emergency Medical Consultation Service （PDF: 2.0MB）

Inquiries

If you have any questions about First Aid Services and Anti-Doping , please feel free to contact us.

Medical Group

Email address: medical(at)deaf2025.jp

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