insurance
Medical Certificate / Doctor's Note
診断書 (shindansho)
A medical certificate (診断書, shindansho) is an official document written by a doctor confirming a diagnosis, the nature of an illness or injury, and any recommended rest period or treatment plan. It may be required by employers for sick leave, by schools for absences, for insurance claims, or for immigration and visa-related purposes. A separate document fee of typically 3,000 to 5,000 yen or more is charged for its preparation.
Medical certificates in Japan must be specifically requested from the doctor and carry a document preparation fee (文書料, bunshoryō) that is not covered by health insurance.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Medical Certificate / Doctor's Note |
| Japanese (日本語) | 診断書 |
| Chinese (中文) | 诊断书 |
| Korean (한국어) | 진단서 |
| Portuguese | Atestado médico |
| Spanish | Certificado médico |
| Filipino | Medical certificate |
| Thai | ใบรับรองแพทย์ |
| Vietnamese | Giấy chứng nhận y tế |
| Romanization | shindansho |
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Read the guide →Last reviewed: September 2026