Prefecture Directory · Kanto
Saitama 埼玉県
Saitama Prefecture directly borders Tokyo to the north and functions as a significant residential and industrial extension of the Tokyo metropolitan area. The prefecture has one of Japan's largest foreign resident populations, with sizable communities from China, Vietnam, South Korea, the Philippines, and Brazil concentrated in the southern manufacturing and logistics zones. Saitama City is the prefectural capital; Kawagoe and Tokorozawa are major secondary centers.
Healthcare landscape
Saitama Medical University International Medical Center in Hidaka is the prefecture's JMIP and JCI dual-accredited flagship facility, with 24/7 multilingual support in over 20 languages. Multiple Saitama hospitals have international patient departments reflecting the large foreign resident population. Saitama International Association (SIA) provides phone interpretation intermediary services connecting foreign residents with medical facilities.
Multilingual medical support
Saitama Information and Support
Saitama International Association (SIA) / 公益財団法人埼玉県国際交流協会
- Phone
- 048-833-2992
- Hours
- Contact SIA directly for current consultation hours
- Languages
- Japanese, English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese
International patient resources
Sources include prefecture official pages, JNTO listings, and prefectural hospital associations. Verify language availability directly before visiting.
| Institution / Resource | Source |
|---|---|
| Saitama Medical University International Medical Center (埼玉医科大学国際医療センター) | international.saitama-med.ac.jp |
| Saitama Red Cross Hospital (さいたま赤十字病院) | sia1.jp |
Public health center (保健所)
Saitama Prefecture operates public health centers (保健所, hokenjo) across its municipalities. Public health centers manage infectious disease surveillance, maternal and child health programs, and mental health consultation. Contact the prefectural health department or your municipal office to locate the nearest hokenjo.
Saitama Prefecture health department website →
Emergency numbers in Japan
- Ambulance / Fire: 119
- Police: 110
- Japan Helpline (24-hr English): 0570-000-911
- JNTO Tourist Helpline: 050-3816-2787 (available for medical referrals)
See our emergency guide for full details on calling an ambulance and communicating with emergency services in Japan.
Last reviewed: September 2026