Rising healthcare costs in Japan have led to an increase in patients deciding to abandon treatment due to difficulty in bearing the high costs. This is a societal issue affecting people at various stages of life, particularly those with chronic illnesses. While the government has policies in place for high-cost medical care, the burden on patients remains significant and growing, sparking public outcry and demands for policy improvement.

Healthcare in Japan is perceived as high quality but also high cost. Japan's national health insurance partially covers general medical care, but patients' out-of-pocket expenditure can be high, especially for those with chronic diseases. Given the country's aging population and the resulting increase in healthcare demand, such financial pressures are becoming increasingly problematic, prompting public debates on healthcare reform.

Countries in the EU and the US also struggle with healthcare costs, although their systems and associated issues differ. For example, in the US, the for-profit structure of the health care system causes high cost issues, often even with insurance. In the EU, countries with universal healthcare still grapple with high costs, but these are often significantly offset by robust social safety nets.