Eric, give that you live in Japan, I would recommend that your friend seeks out a good acupuncturist who will also be able to recommend a suitable Kampo (Chinese medicine formulae).
This is a wide range of acupuncture in Japan, ranging from individually-run clinics to larger 'chains', whereby you see a different therapist every week. It's important to build a strong relationship with your acupuncturist, thus I recommend finding an experienced individual.
Some Chinese medicines are prescribed by doctors and can be covered by health insurance. However, there are usually prepared formulae, produced in large quantities. Instead, I would suggest that the kampo is purchased from an experienced herbalist, who can prepare the formula to the exact strength required for the individual.