Doctor helicopters, critical for transporting patients with immediate medical needs, are experiencing operational suspensions in Tokyo and Kansai, primarily due to a shortage of maintenance personnel. Since April, operations have been uncertain, with specific instances of suspensions reported as early as August of the previous year. These helicopters have been operational since 2022, providing around-the-clock service, especially in the Tama region, where they have facilitated quicker patient transportation than traditional ambulances.

The company responsible for operating the helicopters, Hirata Gakuen, is facing a staffing crisis, leading to periodic suspensions, and has not secured a new operator to take over once their current agreement ends at the end of this month. In the meantime, other emergency services are coordinating to ensure that medical transport continues through ground and alternative aerial means. Tokyo officials are committed to resuming the service as quickly as possible to maintain emergency medical capabilities in the region.

In Kansai, specifically within the area comprising six prefectures in the Kinki region, the same operator is managing eight doctor helicopters, but similarly has faced operational challenges since last summer. Plans are being made to transition to a different operational company for these helicopters in future fiscal years, but currently, only six of them are anticipated to remain operational. Local governments, including those of Kyoto and Shiga, are working towards securing alternate contracts to ensure the continued availability of air medical transport in the region, though service disruptions are expected to persist for the foreseeable future.