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🇯🇵 From Japan · Hepatology · Infectious disease

Hepatitis B treatment in China for Japan patients

End-to-end pathway: visa, flight, hospital match, cost and length of stay — tailored for patients travelling from Japan for hepatitis b care.

← Full Hepatitis B guide

Pathway at a glance

Visa
M-Visa (医療ビザ) — fingerprinting NOT required
Processing
4 business days standard
Flight
3–4 hours direct (HND/NRT–PEK/PVG)
Time zone
1 hour ahead (Tokyo → Beijing)
Language
Japanese-speaking International Patient Departments at PUMC, Ruijin, Zhongshan, Shanghai United Family, and HKU-Shenzhen

About hepatitis b

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) affects approximately 296 million people globally per WHO estimates and remains one of the leading causes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Modern nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy — entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) — suppresses HBV DNA to undetectable in over 95% of treatment-naive patients, dramatically reducing long-term liver and cancer risk.

The barrier outside Class A Chinese care is rarely the medicine itself. It is the price. China has the most economical access to modern HBV antiviral therapy globally, with structured hepatology infrastructure to support both initial workup and long-term monitoring.

Why Japan patients travel to China

Japanese patients commonly come for: stem cell and regenerative medicine, cardiac surgery, orthopedic procedures (cost advantage), and TCM integrative oncology. Many cross-shop with Korean and Singaporean centres.

Recommended cities for Japan patients

Shanghai (cardiology, oncology, integrative care) is most popular among Japanese patients due to direct flights from major Japanese airports and strong Japanese-language services. Beijing (PUMC) for complex / academic cases.

Diagnostic workup at Class A centres

  • HBsAg + anti-HBs + anti-HBc (initial 3-marker panel)
  • If HBsAg positive: HBeAg + anti-HBe, HBV DNA quantitation
  • ALT, AST, GGT, complete metabolic panel, alpha-fetoprotein (HCC screening)
  • Abdominal ultrasound + FibroScan transient elastography for fibrosis staging
  • Hepatology consultation with structured treatment plan

Workup cost band: $200–$340 USD.

Treatment options

Tenofovir alafenamide (TAF / Vemlidy)

first-line

Modern oral antiviral with excellent bone and renal safety profile. China price: USD 15–30/month vs USD 1,400–1,800/month US.

Learn more →

Tenofovir disoproxil (TDF, generic)

first-line

Long-established first-line option. Generic available widely. China price: USD 5–15/month.

Learn more →

Entecavir (generic)

first-line

Alternative first-line nucleoside analogue. China price: USD 8–20/month.

Pegylated interferon alfa-2a

selected cases

Finite 48-week course; appropriate for selected HBeAg-positive patients with elevated ALT and low HBV DNA. Higher rate of HBsAg loss but more side effects than oral antivirals.

Liver transplant

advanced disease

Indicated for decompensated cirrhosis or HCC within criteria. Tianjin First Center, Renji, and major Beijing centres run high-volume programmes.

Learn more →

Visa pathway for Japan patients

Short flight times and 1-hour timezone offset make Japan one of the easiest Asian source countries. Fingerprinting NOT required for Japanese citizens.

  1. 1

    Receive invitation letter

    Panda Touring Care issues hospital invitation letter in Japanese and Chinese within 3–5 business days.

  2. 2

    Complete COVA online

    Fill at cova.cs.mfa.gov.cn (Japanese interface). Print and sign.

  3. 3

    Submit at CVASC

    Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo, Nagoya, Niigata, or Fukuoka visa centre. No biometrics required.

  4. 4

    Collect visa

    Standard 4 business days. Express 2–3 days.

Full Japan → China visa guide →

Frequently asked

Do Japan patients need a visa for hepatitis b treatment in China?
Yes — Japan citizens require M-Visa for medical treatment in China. Processing: 4 business days standard. Fee: ¥3,000–¥6,000 (single/multi entry). Validity: Up to 5 years multi-entry possible.
How long is the flight from Japan to China?
3–4 hours direct (HND/NRT–PEK/PVG)
Which Chinese cities are best for Japan patients seeking hepatitis b care?
Shanghai (cardiology, oncology, integrative care) is most popular among Japanese patients due to direct flights from major Japanese airports and strong Japanese-language services. Beijing (PUMC) for complex / academic cases.
What's the diagnostic workup for hepatitis b at Class A international departments?
HBsAg + anti-HBs + anti-HBc (initial 3-marker panel); If HBsAg positive: HBeAg + anti-HBe, HBV DNA quantitation; ALT, AST, GGT, complete metabolic panel, alpha-fetoprotein (HCC screening); Abdominal ultrasound + FibroScan transient elastography for fibrosis staging; Hepatology consultation with structured treatment plan.

Plan your hepatitis b treatment from Japan

We arrange visa support, hospital match, written quote and door-to-door logistics from Japan. No obligation.

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