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B2 noun 7 min read

保健

hoken

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 保健 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 保健 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know 保健 (hoken) in one very specific context: the school. In Japanese schools, the nurse's office is called the 保健室 (hoken-shitsu). If you feel sick during class, you tell the teacher 'Hoken-shitsu ni ikitai desu' (I want to go to the nurse's office). You don't need to worry about the complex 'public health' definitions yet. Just remember: Hoken + Shitsu = Nurse's Room.

At the A2 level, you start to see 保健 (hoken) as part of your school schedule. You might have a class called 保健 (hoken), which is simply 'Health Class.' You learn about how to wash your hands, eat well, and stay strong. You should also be aware that there is a similar-sounding word, 保険 (hoken), which means 'insurance.' At this level, just try to recognize that when people talk about school or health class, they are using the 'health preservation' version of the word.

At the B1 level, you should understand that 保健 (hoken) refers to organized health efforts. You will encounter it in the word 保健所 (hoken-jo), which is the local public health center. If you live in Japan, you might go there for vaccinations or health consultations. You should be able to distinguish between 健康 (kenkou - your personal health) and 保健 (hoken - the system/class/office). You can use phrases like '保健の先生' (the health teacher/nurse) comfortably.

At the B2 level, you are expected to use 保健 (hoken) in more formal and administrative contexts. You should understand terms like 保健指導 (hoken shidou - health guidance) and 精神保健 (seishin hoken - mental health preservation). You should be able to discuss the role of the government in maintaining public health using this word. You also need to be very careful not to confuse the kanji for 保健 and 保険 in writing, as this is a common error at this stage.

At the C1 level, you use 保健 (hoken) in academic and professional discussions. You might talk about 母子保健 (boshi hoken - maternal and child health) or 産業保健 (sangyou hoken - occupational/industrial health). You understand the nuances between 保健 and 公衆衛生 (koushuu eisei - public health/hygiene). You can read complex reports from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and understand that 保健 refers to the proactive infrastructure of societal wellness.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 保健 (hoken) within the context of Japanese law and social policy. You can discuss the historical evolution of the 地域保健法 (Chiiki Hoken Hou - Community Health Act) or the ethical implications of 保健医療 (hoken iryou - health and medical care) systems. You use the word with the same precision as a native health official, recognizing its weight in public discourse and its subtle distinction from medical treatment (iryou).

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

保健 in 30 Seconds

Refers to health preservation and public hygiene systems.
Commonly used for school nurse offices (hoken-shitsu).
Essential for discussing public health centers (hoken-jo).
Distinguished from 'kenkou' (personal health) and 'hoken' (insurance).

The Japanese word 保健 (hoken) is a cornerstone of Japanese society, referring to the preservation of health, hygiene, and public sanitation. While an English speaker might simply say 'health,' 保健 specifically denotes the active maintenance and institutional protection of health through organized efforts. It is composed of two kanji: 保 (ho), meaning to preserve or protect, and 健 (ken), meaning health or strength. Together, they create a concept that encompasses everything from school infirmaries to national public health policies.

Institutional Usage: In Japan, every school has a 保健室 (hoken-shitsu). This is not just a 'nurse's office'; it is a vital part of the educational ecosystem where students go for first aid, health checkups, and often, emotional support from the 保健の先生 (hoken no sensei).
Public Health Context: The term 保健所 (hoken-jo) refers to public health centers. These centers are responsible for disease prevention, food safety inspections, and community wellness programs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the word 保健 was heard daily on the news in relation to these centers.

学校の保健室に行って、休みました。
(Gakkou no hoken-shitsu ni itte, yasumimashita.)
I went to the school nurse's office and rested.

It is vital to distinguish 保健 (hoken) from its homophone 保険 (hoken), which means 'insurance.' While they sound identical, the kanji for insurance uses 険 (steep/risk), implying protection against financial risk, whereas the health-related hoken uses 健 (health). In everyday conversation, Japanese people use 保健 when discussing hygiene, physical education classes (保健体育), and community health services. It implies a proactive stance—not just being 'not sick,' but actively keeping the community healthy.

地域の保健所は、感染症の拡大を防ぐために重要な役割を果たしています。
(Chiiki no hoken-jo wa, kansenshou no kakudai o fusegu tame ni juuyou na yakuwari o hatashite imasu.)
Local public health centers play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

When you see 保健, think of 'Health Management' or 'Hygiene Maintenance.' It is less about your personal feeling of being healthy (which is 健康 - kenkou) and more about the systems and practices that keep people healthy.

Using 保健 (hoken) correctly requires understanding its role as a prefix for institutions or a noun representing the field of public health. It is rarely used as a standalone adjective like 'healthy' (which would be kenkou-teki na). Instead, it functions as a formal noun or a component in compound words.

As a Subject or Object: You might use it when discussing policy or education. For example: '保健の授業' (hoken no jugyou) means 'Health class.' Here, 保健 functions as the subject of study.
In Compound Nouns: This is the most common usage. Words like 保健師 (hoken-shi - public health nurse) and 保健福祉 (hoken-fukushi - health and welfare) are standard in administrative and medical contexts.

今日の保健の時間は、栄養について学びました。
(Kyou no hoken no jikan wa, eiyou ni tsuite manabimashita.)
In today's health class, we learned about nutrition.

When constructing sentences, remember that 保健 is formal. If you are talking about your personal health status, use 健康 (kenkou). If you are talking about the system that protects that health, use 保健. For instance, you wouldn't say 'My hoken is good,' but you would say 'The government's hoken policy is improving.'

精神保健の重要性が近年高まっています。
(Seishin hoken no juuyousei ga kinnen takamatte imasu.)
The importance of mental health (preservation) has been increasing in recent years.

In professional writing, 保健 is indispensable. It appears in reports regarding maternal health (母子保健 - boshi hoken), industrial health (産業保健 - sangyou hoken), and environmental health (環境保健 - kankyou hoken). It provides a more clinical and systemic nuance than the general word for health.

In Japan, 保健 (hoken) is a word that follows you from childhood through adulthood. You will encounter it in specific environments that define the Japanese experience of health and community care.

Schools (K-12): Every morning, students might hear announcements about the 保健室 (hoken-shitsu). During 'Health and Physical Education' (保健体育 - hoken taiiku), students study biology, nutrition, and first aid. Teachers will say, 'Go to the hoken-shitsu' if a student looks pale.
Government & News: The 厚生労働省 (Kousei-roudou-shou - Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) frequently uses 保健 in press releases. You will hear about 保健所 (hoken-jo) during any medical crisis or vaccination drive.

明日は保健所の検査があります。
(Ashita wa hoken-jo no kensa ga arimasu.)
There is an inspection by the public health center tomorrow.

In the workplace, you might hear about 保健指導 (hoken shidou). If your annual health checkup (kenkou shindan) shows high cholesterol, a hoken-shi (public health nurse) might call you for 'health guidance' to discuss diet and exercise. This is a formal, organized intervention, hence the use of 保健.

母子保健手帳を忘れずに持ってきてください。
(Boshi hoken techou o wasurezu ni motte kite kudasai.)
Please don't forget to bring your Maternal and Child Health Handbook.

Finally, in academic or medical conferences, 保健 is used to discuss 'Public Health' as a field of study (公衆衛生 - koushuu eisei is a synonym, but 保健 is often used for the practical application). You'll see it on signs in hospitals and government buildings across Japan.

The most common mistake for learners regarding 保健 (hoken) is confusing it with its homophones and related synonyms. Because Japanese has many words for 'health,' choosing the right one is a mark of a B2-level speaker.

The Homophone Trap: 保健 vs 保険: As mentioned, 保険 (Insurance) and 保健 (Health Preservation) are both pronounced hoken.
Wrong: 生命保健 (Seimei hoken - Life health preservation?)
Right: 生命保険 (Seimei hoken - Life insurance).
Conversely, you cannot have a 'Health Insurance Room' in a school; it must be the 保健室.
Confusing with 健康 (Kenkou): 健康 refers to the state of being healthy. 保健 refers to the act of maintaining health.
Wrong: 私は保健です (Watashi wa hoken desu - I am health preservation).
Right: 私は健康です (Watashi wa kenkou desu - I am healthy).

× 保健にいい食べ物。
○ 健康にいい食べ物。
(Food that is good for health preservation [system] vs Food that is good for [your] health.)

Another mistake is overusing 保健 in casual conversation. In a casual setting, if you want to talk about hygiene, you might use 清潔 (seiketsu) or きれい (kirei). Using 保健 makes you sound like a textbook or a government official unless you are specifically referring to 'Health Class' or the 'Nurse's Office.'

Lastly, remember that 保健 is almost always a noun. Do not try to attach -suru to it to make a verb. If you want to say 'to preserve health,' you would use a phrase like 健康を維持する (kenkou o iji suru) or refer to 保健活動 (hoken katsudou - health preservation activities).

To truly master 保健 (hoken), you must see how it fits into the web of Japanese health-related vocabulary. Here is how it compares to its closest neighbors.

健康 (Kenkou) - Health: Difference: Personal vs. Systemic. Kenkou is your personal well-being. Hoken is the social or educational framework that protects that well-being.
Example: 健康診断 (Kenkou shindan - Individual health checkup) vs. 保健所 (Hoken-jo - Public health center).
衛生 (Eisei) - Hygiene / Sanitation: Difference: Cleanliness vs. Preservation. Eisei focuses on keeping things clean to prevent disease (like washing hands). Hoken is broader, including nutrition, mental health, and physical education.
Example: 衛生的な環境 (Eisei-teki na kankyou - A hygienic environment).
養生 (Youjou) - Recuperation / Taking care of oneself: Difference: Medical vs. Traditional. Youjou is a more old-fashioned or holistic term for resting and eating well to recover or stay healthy. Hoken is modern and administrative.

公衆衛生と地域保健は密接に関連しています。
(Koushuu eisei to chiiki hoken wa missetsu ni kanren shite imasu.)
Public hygiene and community health preservation are closely related.

When should you choose 保健? Choose it when you are talking about education, government services, or nursing within an institution. If you are talking to a friend about their cold, kenkou or odaiji ni (take care) is the way to go.

By understanding these nuances, you can navigate medical and educational environments in Japan with much greater precision. 保健 isn't just a word; it's a reflection of Japan's organized approach to collective well-being.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'Hoken-shitsu' system in Japan is internationally unique for its role in 'mental health' and 'school avoidance' support, not just physical injury.

Pronunciation Guide

UK hɒkɛn

US hoʊkɛn

Flat pitch (Heiban) or slightly dropping after the first syllable in some dialects.

Rhymes With

Token Spoken Broken Woken Oaken Smoken Joken Awoken

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'broken' (ho-ken should have a short 'o' sound in Japanese).
Confusing the pitch with 'hoken' (insurance), though they are often identical.
Stressing the 'ken' too much.
Muddling the 'n' sound at the end.
Lengthening the 'o' (houken) which can mean 'feudalism'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji is common but often confused with 'insurance'.

Writing 4/5

The kanji for 'ken' is complex for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Pronunciation is easy, but homophones are tricky.

Listening 3/5

Must rely on context to distinguish from insurance.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

健康先生学校病気体

Learn Next

保険衛生福祉診察予防

Advanced

公衆衛生疫学社会保障バイオエシックス医療経済

Grammar to Know

Noun + の + Noun

保健の先生 (Health teacher)

Location + で + Action

保健室で休む (Rest in the nurse's room)

Direction + に + 行く

保健所に行く (Go to the health center)

Topic + は + Adjective

保健の授業は大切だ (Health class is important)

Compound Noun Formation

保健所 (Health + Place = Health Center)

Examples by Level

保健室はどこですか？

Where is the nurse's office?

Asking for the location of the hoken-shitsu.

保健の先生に会いました。

I met the school nurse.

Using 'no' to connect health and teacher.

保健室で休みます。

I will rest in the nurse's office.

Using 'de' for the location of action.

保健室はあそこです。

The nurse's office is over there.

Simple identification.

保健室に行ってもいいですか？

May I go to the nurse's office?

Requesting permission with -te mo ii desu ka.

保健室は静かです。

The nurse's office is quiet.

Describing the room with an adjective.

保健室にベッドがあります。

There is a bed in the nurse's office.

Existence of an object.

保健の授業は楽しいです。

Health class is fun.

Subject marker 'wa'.

今日は保健の授業があります。

There is a health class today.

Time marker 'kyou'.

保健の本を読んでいます。

I am reading a health book.

Present progressive -te iru.

保健室で熱を測りました。

I measured my temperature in the nurse's office.

Past tense of hakaru (to measure).

保健の時間は大切です。

Health time is important.

Adjective 'taisetsu'.

保健の先生は優しいです。

The health teacher is kind.

Descriptive sentence.

保健のテストは難しかったです。

The health test was difficult.

Past tense of an i-adjective.

手を洗うことは保健にいいです。

Washing hands is good for health (preservation).

Nominalizing a verb with 'koto'.

保健室に薬がありますか？

Is there medicine in the nurse's office?

Question about existence.

近くの保健所に行きました。

I went to the nearby public health center.

Modifying a noun with 'chikaku no'.

保健所でワクチンを打ちました。

I got a vaccine at the public health center.

Action at a location.

保健の指導を受けました。

I received health guidance.

Using 'ukeru' (to receive).

この町には大きな保健所があります。

This town has a large public health center.

Existence in a location.

保健所の人はとても親切でした。

The people at the public health center were very kind.

Describing people of an institution.

保健のニュースを見ました。

I saw some news about public health.

Direct object 'o'.

彼は保健学科の学生です。

He is a student in the health sciences department.

Compound noun for a major.

保健所から通知が届きました。

A notice arrived from the public health center.

Origin marker 'kara'.

精神保健についての講演を聞きました。

I listened to a lecture on mental health preservation.

Using 'ni tsuite' (about).

地域の保健活動に参加しています。

I am participating in community health activities.

Participating in an activity.

保健体育の教員免許を持っています。

I have a teaching license for health and physical education.

Compound noun for a license.

母子保健の充実が求められています。

Enhancement of maternal and child health is being demanded.

Passive voice 'motomerarete iru'.

保健所は感染症対策の拠点です。

The public health center is a hub for infectious disease measures.

Noun as a definition.

環境保健の視点から問題を考えます。

We will consider the issue from an environmental health perspective.

Using 'shiten kara' (from the perspective of).

保健師が家庭を訪問します。

A public health nurse will visit the home.

Subject marker 'ga'.

保健の統計データを確認してください。

Please check the health statistics data.

Imperative form 'kudasai'.

公衆保健の向上が社会の課題です。

Improving public health is a societal challenge.

Abstract noun phrase.

産業保健の専門家を招きました。

We invited an expert in occupational health.

Specific professional field.

保健医療体制の改革が必要です。

Reform of the health and medical care system is necessary.

Complex compound noun.

保健行政の役割を再定義する。

Redefine the role of health administration.

Formal verb 'saiteigi suru'.

国際保健の分野で活躍したいです。

I want to be active in the field of international health.

Aspiration with -tai.

保健衛生上の問題が浮上しました。

An issue regarding health and hygiene has surfaced.

Using '-jou' (regarding).

保健機能食品の表示を確認する。

Check the labeling of foods with health claims.

Specific regulatory term.

学校保健統計調査の結果が発表された。

The results of the school health statistics survey were announced.

Formal passive voice.

保健福祉の連携を強化すべきである。

The coordination between health and welfare should be strengthened.

Using 'subeki' (should).

保健所機能の脆弱性が露呈した。

The vulnerability of the public health center's functions was exposed.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'zeijakusei'.

精神保健福祉法の改正が行われた。

The Mental Health and Welfare Act was amended.

Legal terminology.

保健行動の変容を促す介入を行う。

Conduct interventions to encourage changes in health behavior.

Academic phrasing.

地域保健の包括的なケアシステムを構築する。

Construct a comprehensive care system for community health.

Abstract systemic planning.

保健医療資源の適正な配分が求められる。

Appropriate allocation of health and medical resources is required.

Economic/Political context.

保健リテラシーの向上が不可欠だ。

Improving health literacy is indispensable.

Using 'fukaketsu' (indispensable).

保健哲学の観点から議論を深める。

Deepen the discussion from the perspective of health philosophy.

High-level abstract concept.

Synonyms

衛生健康管理養生

Antonyms

不衛生

Common Collocations

保健室

保健所

保健師

保健体育

保健指導

精神保健

母子保健

保健福祉

環境保健

保健衛生

Common Phrases

保健の先生

— The school nurse or health teacher.

保健の先生に相談した。

保健室登校

— Attending school but spending the day in the nurse's office.

彼は保健室登校をしている。

保健所長

— The director of a public health center.

保健所長の会見。

保健機能食品

— Foods with specific health functions/claims.

保健機能食品を買う。

保健だより

— A health newsletter issued by schools.

保健だよりを配る。

保健物理

— Health physics (radiation protection).

保健物理の専門家。

保健年報

— Annual health report.

保健年報を読む。

保健所検査

— Public health center inspection.

保健所検査に合格した。

保健科学

— Health sciences.

保健科学を専攻する。

保健制度

— Health system.

日本の保健制度。

Often Confused With

保健 vs 保険 (Hoken)

Means 'insurance'. Identical pronunciation, different kanji.

保健 vs 健康 (Kenkou)

Means 'health' (the state). Hoken is the preservation of it.

保健 vs 衛生 (Eisei)

Means 'hygiene'. Narrower focus than hoken.

Idioms & Expressions

"保健の種"

— A metaphor for something that promotes or starts a health habit.

この活動は地域の保健の種になる。

Metaphorical

"保健の砦"

— The 'stronghold' of health (often referring to public health centers during a crisis).

保健所は地域の保健の砦だ。

Formal

"保健の窓口"

— The contact point for health issues.

ここが保健の窓口です。

Administrative

"保健の目"

— Looking at things from a health/hygiene perspective.

保健の目で街を点検する。

Metaphorical

"保健の和"

— The harmony/circle of community health.

保健の和を広げよう。

Slogan

"保健の鏡"

— A model of health preservation.

彼は保健の鏡のような生活をしている。

Praising

"保健の要"

— The keystone of health preservation.

手洗いは保健の要だ。

Formal

"保健の光"

— Hope or guidance in health matters.

新しい政策は保健の光だ。

Literary

"保健の手"

— The reaching hand of health services.

保健の手が届かない地域。

Metaphorical

"保健の道"

— The path to maintaining health.

保健の道を究める。

Literary

Easily Confused

保健 vs 保険

Identical pronunciation.

Insurance (financial) vs. Health Preservation (physical/systemic).

保険証 (Insurance card) vs. 保健所 (Health center).

保健 vs 健康

Both translate to 'health'.

Kenkou is a state/adjective; Hoken is a system/noun.

健康な人 (Healthy person) vs. 保健の授業 (Health class).

保健 vs 衛生

Both involve staying healthy.

Eisei is about cleanliness; Hoken is about the whole system of care.

衛生的なトイレ (Hygienic toilet) vs. 学校保健 (School health system).

保健 vs 医療

Both are medical terms.

Iryou is treatment of illness; Hoken is prevention and maintenance.

医療ミス (Medical error) vs. 保健指導 (Health guidance).

保健 vs 福祉

Often grouped together in government.

Fukushi is social welfare (support for elderly/disabled); Hoken is health preservation.

保健福祉局 (Bureau of Health and Welfare).

Sentence Patterns

〜は保健室です。

あそこは保健室です。

保健の〜があります。

今日は保健の授業があります。

保健所で〜をします。

保健所で検査をします。

〜のために保健指導を受ける。

健康のために保健指導を受ける。

〜の観点から保健を考える。

社会学の観点から保健を考える。

保健医療体制の〜を議論する。

保健医療体制の再編を議論する。

保健の先生に〜と言われました。

保健の先生に休むように言われました。

精神保健に関する〜。

精神保健に関する新しい法律。

Word Family

Nouns

保健所

保健室

保健師

保健体育

Verbs

保健する (rarely used, usually 'hoken katsudou o suru')

Adjectives

保健的な (rare)

健康

衛生

医療

福祉

介護

How to Use It

frequency

High in educational and administrative contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using 保健 for insurance. → 保険
The kanji are different even if the sound is the same.
Saying '保健がいい' (Health preservation is good). → 健康がいい
Use kenkou for the state of health.
Confusing 保健師 with 看護師. → 保健師 (Public health nurse) / 看護師 (Hospital nurse)
They have different certifications and roles.
Writing 険 instead of 健. → 健
The left radical determines the meaning (mound vs. person).
Using 保健 as a verb (保健する). → 保健活動をする
It's a noun; you need to add an action word.

Tips

The Nurse's H-O-K-E-N

Helpful Office Keeping Everyone Normal. It helps you remember the school nurse context.

System vs State

Always use Hoken for the 'system' and Kenkou for the 'state' of being.

Radical Check

Look for the 'person' radical in 健. Health is for people!

The 'Jo' and 'Shitsu' Clue

If you hear 'hoken' followed by 'jo' or 'shitsu', it's always the health version.

Safe Space

Remember that hoken-shitsu is a cultural 'safe haven' in Japan.

Major Choice

If someone says they study 'Hoken', they are studying health sciences.

Health Guidance

In Japanese companies, 'Hoken Shidou' is a mandatory health follow-up.

Hoken vs Eisei

Think of Eisei as 'soap' and Hoken as 'the whole doctor's checkup'.

Compound Power

Hoken is almost always part of a bigger word. Learn it in pairs!

Pitch Awareness

Keep your pitch steady and don't over-emphasize syllables.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a **HO**use where a **KEN** doll is being **preserved** in a glass case to stay healthy forever. HO-KEN.

Visual Association

A green cross (symbol for health in Japan) inside a protective shield.

Word Web

School Nurse Hygiene Public Health Center Teacher Class Preservation

Challenge

Try to find the word '保健' on a Japanese government website or a school's homepage and see what context it is used in.

Word Origin

Derived from Sino-Japanese roots. 'Ho' (保) comes from an ancient pictograph of a person carrying a child, symbolizing protection. 'Ken' (健) combines 'person' with 'build/establish,' meaning robust or healthy.

Original meaning: To maintain or protect the state of being robust.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

None, but be aware that 'mental health' (seishin hoken) is a sensitive topic currently evolving in Japanese society.

In English, we often use 'Public Health' or 'School Nurse,' whereas Japanese uses the single root 'Hoken' for both.

The anime 'School-Live!' features a hoken-shitsu. Hoken-shitsu no Shinigami (manga). Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) announcements.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

School Life

保健室に行く
保健の先生
保健体育
保健だより

Public Administration

保健所
保健行政
保健福祉
保健師

Medical/Professional

精神保健
母子保健
産業保健
保健指導

Health Management

保健衛生
保健機能食品
保健行動
保健リテラシー

News/Current Events

保健所長
保健体制
保健活動
国際保健

Conversation Starters

"日本の学校の保健室についてどう思いますか？"

"あなたの国には「保健所」のような場所がありますか？"

"最近、精神保健の重要性が高まっていると思いますか？"

"保健の授業で一番印象に残っていることは何ですか？"

"保健師さんに相談したことはありますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日の自分の健康状態を「保健」の視点から分析してみましょう。

もし自分が保健の先生だったら、生徒に何を教えたいですか？

地域の保健所が果たしている役割について考えて書いてください。

「保健室登校」という現象について、あなたの意見を述べてください。

将来、保健の分野で働いてみたいと思いますか？その理由は何ですか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, if written as 保険 it means insurance. Context usually clarifies if it's school/hygiene (保健) or money/contracts (保険).

A public health nurse who works in health centers or companies to provide health guidance, different from a hospital nurse (kangoshi).

No, you should say 'kenkou ni ii tabemono' (food good for health). Hoken is for systems, not descriptions.

Because its purpose is the 'preservation of health' (hoken) for the entire school population.

Yes, the subject is called 'Hoken-Taiiku' (Health and Physical Education).

A government-run public health center that manages community health, disease outbreaks, and food safety.

Yes, it is more formal and systemic than 'kenkou'.

Yes, 'seishin hoken' is the standard term for mental health preservation.

Focus on the 'build' part of the second kanji to remember 'building/maintaining health'.

Yes, 'doubutsu hoken' (animal health/hygiene) is used in veterinary and public safety contexts.