Living Guide Q&A TOP

Consultation contents

Expansion of Social Insurance Coverage

Answer

As of October, part-time workers employed by companies with 51 or more employees will be able to enroll in social insurance (employee's pension insurance and health insurance).
[ Conditions for enrollment ]
More than 20 hours of work per week/ Wage is more than 88,000 yen per month/ Expected to be employed for more than 2 months/ Not a student

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Consultation contents

Use of Individual Number Card (My Number Card) for Health Insurance Card

Answer

On Dec 2nd, new issuance of the current health insurance card will be terminated and the system will be shifted to using the Individual Number Card as the standard for health insurance. Registration for using the Individual Number Card as a health insurance card can be done at city hall, medical institutions, and pharmacies. There is a transitional measure where the cards are valid for one year, but the issued insurance card will expire when the expiration date comes or if there is a change in the insurer.

Consultation contents

【Health Insurance Series８】Let’s have a checkup once a year!

Answer

Are you receiving medical checkups? Medical checkup is a great opportunity to detect abnormalities inside your body at an early stage. Even an abnormal test results without any subjective symptoms may lead to a life-threatening disease if it is left unchecked. It is important to check and compare the annual test results and understand the changes in your body. Make sure to have a medical checkup at least once a year.

In Japan, “specific medical checkups” (Tokutei Kenshin) are available to those who are enrolled in health insurance from the age 40 to 74. The health insurance company you are enrolled in will subsidize the cost of a medical checkup once a year.

★ For those who are employed

It is mandatory for the employers to have the employees undergo a medical checkup once a year.
If the company offers you a medical checkup, be sure to take it. The employer will be responsible for the cost of the examination items specified by the law.

★Dependents who are enrolled in Kyokai Kenpo

Every April dependents over the age of 40 will receive a notice on specific medical checkup.
Enclosed are medical checkup tickets and pamphlets. Please make an appointment in advance at the hospital or venue where you would like to receive a specific medical checkup. If you have a medical checkup ticket, 7,150 yen will be deducted from the total cost. There are also venues where you can receive medical checkups free of charge, so be sure to undergo a medical checkup when you receive a notice.

★Those who are enrolled in National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenkou Hoken)

National Health Insurance also promotes the specific medical checkups, and information will be sent to your home. For more information on the timing and contents, please contact the municipal office of where you live.

Notice to the members of Kyokai Kenpo (Japan Health Insurance Association)

The format of application and notification forms of the Kyokai Kenpo has been changed since January 2023.
New forms can be downloaded from the website.
If you have an old form, please do not use it and discard it.

Consultation contents

Enrollment in social insurance during the job trial period after employment

Answer

Have you ever been told that you cannot join social insurance during your trial period?
When you start working in Japan, you must join the social insurance system and receive an insurance card from the company.
Sometimes it is misunderstood that you cannot join the social insurance system during your trial period, but this is not true.
Workers who are not covered by social insurance are short-term part-timers and other workers whose contract period is less than two months. Since employment during the trial period is considered to be employment based on the assumption that the employee will be officially hired at a later date, the employee must be enrolled in social insurance from the beginning of the trial period.
During the trial period, you will not be covered by the National Health Insurance of the city and town office, so you should ask the company to enroll you in the social insurance program to avoid being uninsured.
Pension offices also provide consultation on social insurance enrollment rules, so please make use of this service.

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Consultation contents

【Health Inserance Series７】What to expect when visiting a large hospital

Answer

【Revision of Additional Fee for a First-time Patient without a Referral (SENTEI RYOYOHI)】

From October 2022, the national system was revised, and medical expenses for a visit to a large hospital without a referral letter became more expensive.
  • Initial visit　5,000 yen　→　7,000 yen（tax not included）
  • Follow-up visit 2,500 yen　→　3,000 yen（tax not included）

    • This amount is not covered by health insurance and are not included in high-cost medical care expenses. Large hospitals are university hospitals and hospitals with 200 or more beds. Japan has this system to coordinate the allocation of functions and activities among medical institutions.
    If patients with minor illnesses are seen at large hospitals from the start, it will delay the treatment for patients with serious illnesses and for patients who are to be hospitalized.
    Please note that if you visit a large hospital without a referral letter, you will be charged a special fee of 7,000 yen or more in addition to the regular medical expense.
    First, please visit a clinic in your area and receive a referral letter to a large hospital if necessary.

    Consultation contents

    【Health Insurance Series 6】　　When medical expenses are likely to be high

    Answer

    The health insurance system has a “High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit (Kogaku Ryoyohi Seido)” that reimburses you for medical expenses in excess of a certain amount if you apply for it later.

    What is High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit (Kogaku Ryoyohi Seido)?

    When the amount of payment at a hospital or other clinics exceeds a certain amount (*1) during the same month (from the first to the last day of the month), the excess amount will be reimbursed at a later date by applying for reimbursement.
    However, even if reimbursement is available, paying for high medical expenses can be a heavy burden. In such cases, the “Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application” is available.
    ※1 The maximum amount of payment is determined by your age and salary from the company.
    URL：https://www.kyoukaikenpo.or.jp/g3/sb3030/r150/
    →Upper right corner of the page, press Select Language (English, Chinese (Simplified, Traditional), Korean, Spanish, Portuguese)

    What is Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application? (Gendogaku Tekiyo Ninteisho)

    If you know in advance that your medical expenses will be high, by presenting the “Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application” applied and issued in advance, with your insurance card at the cashier when you set the bills, the payment will be limited to a certain maximum amount. Also, you will not need to apply for a refund later on.
    Flow of procedures and use
    1. 　Submit an “Application for Eligibility Certification for Ceiling-Amount” in advance by mail.
    2. 　“Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application” will be issued. (Validity: 1 year (maximum))）
    3. 　Present the “Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application” issued in 2 above, and “Insurance Card” at the hospital counter when setting the bill.
      4. URL：https://www.kyoukaikenpo.or.jp/g3/sb3020/r151/
      →Select Language
    *◇ National health insurance members are also eligible for High-Cost Medical Expense Benefit and Eligibility Certificate for Ceiling-Amount Application. Please apply at your local city/ town office.

    ★★★★★　Expansion of social insurance coverage　★★★★★

    From October 2022, short-time workers who work for a company with 101 or more employees will be able to join the social insurance program if the following conditions are met.　
      　
    • The number of hours worked per week is 20 hours or more but less than 30 hours.　
    • The monthly wage is 88,000 yen or more.
      • (This refers to base salary and other allowances. However, overtime, bonuses, temporary wages, etc. are not included.)
    • Expectation of more than two months of employment.　　
    • Not a student. (Students on leave of absence and nighttime students are eligible for enrollment.)

    Consultation contents

    【Health Insurance Series 5】 　When you have a child

    Answer

    Health insurance is not only a payment for when you get ill. There are several kinds of benefits. In this issue we will introduce the benefits you can receive from the health insurance when having a child. For those who are expecting a baby, this is a system we want you all to know.

    Does insurance apply for childbirth? “The Childbirth Lump-Sum Allowance”　 (Shussan ikuji ichijikin)

    Normal pregnancy and childbirth are not a disease, so it is not covered by health insurance. You cannot receive consultation with 30％ expense.
    By using “The Direct Payment System for the Childbirth Lump-Sum Allowance” childbirth costs are subsidized.
    At the hospital, you need to pay the cost only for exceeding the subsidized amount.
    Subsidy amount :
    500,000yen per child
    （Hospitals without the system of medical compensation for severe Cerebral palsy are 488,000yen）
    Applies to :
    Childbirth after 4month of pregnancy (85 days), including stillbirth.
    How to apply :
    Procedures can be done at the hospital by signing the application documents.
    The Childbirth Lump-Sum Allowance URL: https://www.kyoukaikenpo.or.jp/g6/cat620/r310/
    *Select language English, Chinese(simplified, traditional), Korean, Spanish, Portuguese are available.　

    What if you take a leave from work for childbirth? “Childbirth allowance” (Shussan teatekin)

    When you take a long term leave from work due to pregnancy and childbirth, your salary may not be paid and you may have difficulty in making a living.
    If you have health insurance at your company, by applying for “Childbirth allowance”, allowances are paid as livelihood security. (Dependents childbirth are not eligible. Municipality’s National Health Insurance does not have this system.)
    Amounts of benefits :
    2/3 of the average amount of salary in the last year
    Eligible period :
    42 days before birth date (Multiple pregnancy 98 days) ＋ 56 days after delivery
    How to apply :
    Apply for health insurance through your company.
    Childbirth allowance URL: https://www.kyoukaikenpo.or.jp/g6/cat620/r311/
    * Select language English, Chinese(simplified, traditional), Korean, Spanish, Portuguese are available.　
    Social insurance premiums deducted from your monthly salary are also exempted during maternity leave.
    Please consult with the general affairs of your company.

    Consultation contents

    Your “my number card” may be used as your heath insurance card!

    Answer

    Your “my number card” will be able to be used as your health insurance card at medical institutions・pharmacies that have installed the dedicated card reader. Registration in advance is required.
    　　　　　　　　　

    General My number toll free dial

    ℡　０１２０－９５－０１７８（Japanese only）
    ℡　０１２０－０１７８－２６（service available in English）

    Please contact the local government office of residence.

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    Consultation contents

    【Health Insurance Series 4】Preventing lifestyle-related diseases

    Answer

    Irregular eating habits may lead to “lifestyle-related diseases” such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart attack. “Lifestyle-related diseases” require long-term treatment often accompanied with high medical fees. It may also interfere with your work life.
    In order to prevent such circumstances, it is important to check your health condition by conducting a “health checkup” at a designated institution at least once a year. Early detection of abnormalities in the body may help reduce medical fees in the future.
    After arriving in Japan, eating habits may have changed from having difficulty obtaining the same foods that you were accustomed to. When your diet changes, so does the nutrition balance in your body. It is rather difficult to notice the changes within your body, so how about checking your health through the health checkup?

    【Subsidy for health checkup fees】

    Other than medical fees, Kyoukai Kenpo also has subsidy for health checkups.
    The aim for health checkups at Kyoukai Kenpo is not only for diagnosis and prompt treatment of diseases but to also prevent such lifestyle-related diseases.
    Those between the ages 35-74 working at a company insured with Kyoukai Kenpo are able to receive a detailed health checkup for approximately 7,000 yen. Family members enrolled in the same insurance (aged 40 - 74) may receive simple checkups such as blood tests from 0 yen to approximately 1,500 yen (fees vary depending on method of examination).
    If you wish for a health checkup, please contact a medical institution conducting health checkups or Kyoukai Kenpo Shiga branch by telephone (Japanese only).
    Other details regarding health checkups are available on the Kyoukai Kenpo HP.

    ★If you are not employed at a company, you may receive subsidy from your city or town of residence for health checkups.

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    Consultation contents

    Generic medicine is cheap!

    Answer

    Generic medicine has the same active ingredients and equivalent therapeutic effects to those of the original medicine but are cheaper than the original medicine because it started to sell after the patent for the new medicine had ended. Generic medicine is also common in Japan, accounting for about 80% of medication prescribed by doctors. (These drugs may be bought at hospitals or dispensing pharmacies.)
    If you wish generic products when purchasing medicine at a hospital or dispensing pharmacy, please show the prescription and ask for “generic medicine”. If you are not confident with your Japanese, please scan the QR code and show the image to the staff. (Generic drugs may not exist for certain types of medication.)

    Download (PDF)

    Desire for generic products card　PDF

    Consultation contents

    【Health Insurance Series 3】“Shobyo-teatekin” benefit during leave of absence due to injury or sickness

    Answer

    In addition to medical expenses, there are other benefits when enrolled in company health insurance.
    One of them is “injury and sickness benefit (shobyo-teatekin)”.
    If you take a long break from work due to an injury or sickness, you may not receive a salary and have trouble with living expenses.
    However, by applying for injury and sickness benefit (shobyo-teatekin), your health insurance will pay compensation towards living costs. Shobyo-teatekin was established to guarantee the livelihood of the insured person and their family members, and is issued when the insured person takes leave of absence from work due to an injury or sickness and cannot receive enough compensation from the company.

    【Amount of compensation】 2/3 of the average monthly salary over the most recent 12 month period.

    Please note, this is the total salary the company has reported to the insurance company. It will not coincide with your salary after deductions.

    【Conditions for compensation】

    1. You are taking leave of absence due to injury or sickness for reasons outside of work
    2. You are unable to work confirmation required by doctor
    3. You are unable to work for more than 4 days, including 3 consecutive days
    4. You have no paid salary during the period of absence from work (confirmation required from employer)
    Please check the Kyokai-kempo HP or contact the office for details regarding shobyo-teatekin.
    Kyokai-kempo Shiga Branch
    ℡　077-522-1099 (Japanese)

    Related Web page

    Consultation contents

    【Health Insurance Series 2】How to visit hospitals in Japan

    Answer

    Bring your insurance card with you

    A hokensho is an insurance card to be presented when visiting a hospital. It is issued by a company or municipal office. When you present your insurance card at a hospital in Japan, you can be treated at 30% of the total medical expense determined by national standards. However, if you forget your card, you will not only have to pay the whole medical expense, but may also have to pay higher fees as hospitals are free to determine the medical cost and do not have to conform to national standards. Make sure to have your insurance card with you on outings. It may be a good idea for you to make your My-number card as it will be used as your insurance card in the future.

    There are treatments when your insurance card cannot be used

    Your insurance card can be used at most hospitals and compounding pharmacies in Japan. However, there are treatments where your card cannot be used. In addition to folk medicine which does not fall under national standards, insurance cards cannot be used for cosmetic surgery, teeth alignment and those treatments considered non-essential in our everyday lives. Vaccinations, medical examinations, and services for termination of pregnancy are also excluded. In the case of accidents during or to/from work, company employees will be covered by rodo hoken (labor insurance) separate from health insurance. Please contact your company as your insurance card cannot be used for such cases.
    【Save money by visiting the hospital wisely】
    It is reassuring to have a hospital that provides medical care when you suddenly get sick on holidays or at night. However, there may be surcharges resulting in higher medical bills depending on the visit.

    ◇Additional fees will apply when you visit outside service hours

    When you receive medical treatment outside service hours (evenings, early mornings, weekends (Sundays/holidays), midnights), you will have to pay additional fees apart from regular fees. This also applies when having medication compounded at pharmacies. Please check service hours before visiting the medical institution.

    ◇A special fee is required when you visit a major hospital without prior notice

    A special fee of over 5,000 yen is required when you drop into a major hospital without a reference letter. Consult your local primary doctor first, and if necessary, ask for a reference letter to be treated at a major hospital.

    ◇Medical expenses will rise by visiting multiple hospitals

    Have you ever changed hospitals because “symptoms don’t improve” or because the “hospital is too far”? Every time you visit a new hospital, shoshinryo (initial visit fee) will be charged. In addition, examinations and medication may duplicate resulting in higher medical expenses. Decide on your primary care doctor to receive medical treatment at the same hospital.

    Consultation contents

    【Health Insurance Series 1】 Japanese Public Insurance System

    Answer

    When you get a job and start working for a Japanese company, you will probably notice social insurance premiums being deducted from your salary. What does this “social insurance” mean? There are many types of social insurance systems in Japan, where everyone can join and be covered regardless of nationality.

    We will look at the difference in health insurance systems between those who work for a company and those who do not.

    Those working for a company and receiving a salary
    Enrollment into social insurance is made through the company. Insurance premiums are deducted from your salary, where half of the expenses are paid by the company. Household dependents may also be enrolled. Insurance premiums are at no cost for household members. Enrollment into health insurance and pension are a set package.
    Self-employed・unemployed or not working for a company (those other than the above)
    Enrollment into national health insurance is made individually. Health insurance premiums are paid on your own to the city hall of residence. The total amount of insurance premiums including those for each family member are at the individual’s expense. Similarly, enrollment into national pension is made individually.

    ●　Payments at the hospital are only 30% of the total cost for both types. Benefits for high medical bills, child delivery, and death are also the same. Company social insurance provides benefits for partial salary guarantee for leave of absence due to illness or childbirth, while national health insurance does not.

    Process of enrollment and withdrawal of health insurance

    Employment at a company
    The company will undergo procedures required for enrollment into social insurance, however, it is the responsibility of the individual to withdraw from national health insurance. Please visit your city hall of residence for withdrawal procedures to prevent double billing.
    Leaving a company
    When you leave your company and lose qualifications for social insurance, return your insurance card to your company as your card is no longer valid. You will have to visit your city hall to undergo procedures for enrollment into national health insurance in order to receive a health insurance card. Please check for other options, such as continuing optional social insurance or becoming a dependent of a family member.

    Related Web page

    Consultation contents

    Dependents insured by the health insurance system will be limited to “persons living in Japan”

    Answer

    As of April 2020, the statement that “In principle, the person be living in Japan” has been added to certification requirements for approval as dependents of employees enrolled in public medical insurance (health insurance) of a company. Dependents living overseas have been eliminated for coverage. However, among the dependents living overseas, those approved of having a basis of living in Japan (cases such as studying overseas, accompanying a family member assigned overseas, and temporary travelers such as sightseeing volunteers) will meet the requirements on exception. On the other hand, persons who arrived in Japan on a medical-stay visa, or long-stay visa for sightseeing and recreational purposes will not be approved as dependents, even if they have an address in Japan.

    Consultation contents

    For pension consultations

    Answer

    • “Nenkin Dial”　
      ℡ 0570-05-1165　　　 IP or PHS: ℡ 03-6700-1165
    • Kusatsu Machikado no Nenkin Soudan Center（1-1-50 Shibukawa, Kusatsu City）
      ℡　077-564-4311
    • Otsu Pension Office（13-5 Uchidehama, Otsu City）
      ℡ 077-521-1789
    • Kusatsu Pension Office （1-16-35 Nishi Shibukawa, Kusatsu City）
      ℡ 077-567-2220
    • Hikone Pension Office（169-6 Tomachi, Hikone City）
      ℡ 0749-23-1114

    Related Web page

    Consultation contents

    Lump-sum withdrawal payments (dattai ichijikin) – You are entitled to this even if you are not qualified to receive public pension, when returning to your home country, etc.

    Answer

    When persons with no Japanese nationality lose their right of membership to the National Pension or the Employees’ Pension and leave Japan, they can apply for a lump-sum withdrawal payment within 2 years from the date they cease to have a Japanese address. Foreign nationals returning to their countries may apply for the lump-sum withdrawal payment if they have been members for 6 months or more.
      Those whose “eligibility period” is 10 years or more cannot receive their lump-sum withdrawal payment.
      ！When receiving the lump-sum withdrawal payment, the period of payment which serves as the basis for calculation of the lump-sum withdrawal payment will be nullified as being the period of pension membership, so it is advised to carefully consider your options before proceeding with your application for lump-sum withdrawal payment.
      ！ The application for the lump-sum withdrawal payment may now be accomplished while you are still in Japan.
      ！ In the case of Employees’ Pension Insurance, a 20% withholding income tax will be imposed. To be able to make claims for tax refunds, you are required to submit a “notification of tax agent” (nouzei kanrinin todokede-sho) to the tax office before leaving Japan.

    Related Web page

    Consultation contents

    Verify the information on your pension!

    Answer

    A Pension Coverage Regular Notice / PCRN (nenkin teikibin), will be delivered to the members of the National Pension and the Employees’ Pension once a year on their birth month to verify their pension record. If the address you registered is different from your present address, the notice (nenkin teikibin) may not be delivered to you. Please report a change of address promptly.
    To check your pension record:
    “Nenkin net”
    　 “Nenkin teikibin・Nenkin net” 　℡　0570-058-555

    ★Confirm the status of your pension at the pension office even if you have paid less than 10 years in contributions!

  • Check for omissions or errors. (Do you have more than one basic pension number? a pension registered to another name?)
  • Check for “complementary coverage period” or gassan taisho kikan. (This includes the length of stay abroad of permanent residents and those with Japanese nationalities).

    • ★The following are ways to satisfy the requirements of the qualifying period:

  • Enroll voluntarily to the National Pension between the ages of 60 and 65. (Those born before April 1, 1965 up to the age of 70 may become voluntary members.)
  • Use the “National Pension Deferred Payment System” to eliminate unpaid intervals. (The 5-year deferred payment system is applicable until Sept. 30, 2018).

    • Consultation contents

    Social Security Agreement (shakai hoshou kyoutei)

    Answer

    If a person was previously a member of a pension system in another country that concluded a treaty with Japan in the “Social Security Agreement”, the period within which he was a member may be considered as membership in the Japanese pension system if that country is under the said agreement with Japan. In this case, the Japanese pension benefit is determined based on contribution-paid periods in Japan. Visit the following website for information on the countries included and the details of the agreement: →　nenkin.go.jp

    Consultation contents

    Old-Age Pension (rourei nenkin)

    Answer

    In the Old-age Pension (rourei nenkin), the basis for the common pension of all the members is called the “Old-age Basic Pension” (rourei kiso nenkin). Those insured in the National Pension (kokumin nenkin) will receive only the Old-age Basic Pension, but those who are members of the Employees’ Pension, (kousei nenkin), will receive an additional benefit from the Employees’ Pension. For complete payment of Old-age Basic Pension premiums for 40 years until the age of 60, a full annual amount of 779,300 yen (fiscal year 2017) may be received. The age for receiving the Old-Age Pension remains 65 years old, as before. However, “early or delayed pension benefits” may be availed of upon request. In the Employees’ Pension system, a special allowance of the Old-Age Employees’ Pension may be provided between the ages of 60 to 65 years old when certain conditions such as the date of birth, sex, etc., are met.

    Consultation contents

    The required period to receive pensions has been reduced to 10 years.

    Answer

    Up until now, the required period of premium payment in order to receive the old-age pension used to be 25 years or longer. However, as of August 1, 2017, it has been reduced to 10 years. (No changes have been made in the requirements for receiving “Survivor’s Pension” / izoku nenkin and “Disability Pension” / shougai nenkin).
    To qualify in receiving the old-age pension (rourei nenkin), one or a combination of the following, should add up to a total of 10 years or more:
      1.＋2.＋3.＋4.　>　１０yrs
    1. The period of premium payment (the period you have paid the premium of your National Pension, the period when you were insured as a member of the Employees’ Pension)
    2. The period of exemption from payment of premiums; the “grace period” received in the payment of premiums, such as the special system of payments for students.
    3. The period when you were insured under Category 3 (insured dependents of policy holders)
    4. The complementary coverage period: ＊(Kara kikan)
    　　＊Kara kikan (No. 4. above), is the complementary coverage period that is not reflected in the amount of pension that will be received, but is included in the calculation of the total period of membership.

    ★The following is included in the complementary coverage period:
      Ａ. The period when a person is eligible but did not voluntarily join the National Pension before March, 1986.
      Ｂ. The period when a person did not voluntarily join the National Pension because he/she is a student before March, 1991.
      Ｃ. The period when a dependent spouse of a person insured in the Employees’ Pension did not voluntarily join before April, 1986.
      ！Kara kikan which significantly involves foreigners are the following:
      Ｄ. The period when foreigners living in Japan was not able to join the pension system before the ratification of the Refugee Convention (before the year 1981).
      This includes special permanent residents such as Koreans who are residents in Japan (zainichi), etc.
      Ｅ. The period of residence in a foreign country from April, 1961 onwards.
      　 　Eligible are those who acquired Japanese nationality and permanent residents.
      　
    Those who acquired Japanese nationality, permanent residents, etc., who have resided in a foreign country for a duration of time, are required to produce documents to prove their period of stay abroad when applying to claim their pension. Therefore, it is important to keep previous passports for future references. “Certificate of Alien Registrations” before July 9, 2012 are kept by the Ministry of Justice. Therefore, in order to certify your previous arrival and departure records in Japan, you need to request the disclosure of these records from the ministry.
    the Ministry of Justice Web site

    Consultation contents

    Health Insurance Program

    Answer

    Japanese health insurance programs can be roughly divided into employee health insurance and National Health Insurance. Foreigners who are to stay in Japan for more than one year are required to enroll in either one of the insurance programs, under which medical benefits are paid to the insured and their dependents for treatment of illness or injury.
    Employee Health Insurance
    Full-time company employees are automatically enrolled in their company’s health insurance scheme. Under this scheme, the insured and their dependents are eligible for various allowances. The amount of the insurance premium is calculated based on the income of the insured, and the employer pays half the insurance premium.
    The insured is required to pay 30% of the medical cost.
    • Other benefits: Medical treatment allowance and childbirth allowance.
    •National Health Insurance
    Those who are not covered by an employee health insurance scheme and who plan to stay in Japan for more than one year must enroll in National Health Insurance in the municipality of their residence. The amount of the insurance money is calculated annually, based on the household income, the amount of fixed property tax, and the size of the household.
    The insured is required to pay 30% of the medical cost.
    • Other benefits: Childbirth allowance, compensation for high-cost medical treatment, funeral expenses (paid in the case of death of the insured.)
    • You should present your insurance certificate at the reception when receiving treatment at a hospital or clinic.　

    Consultation contents

    Pension Plan

    Answer

    The public pension plan aims to ensure the financial security of the insured when they reach retirement age or become disabled, and to financially sustain their families if the insured dies. This plan is applicable to all people living in Japan who satisfy certain conditions, regardless of their nationality. Foreigners who plan to stay in Japan for more than one year are covered by this plan.
    Welfare Pension Insurance
    給付の種類
    The Welfare Pension Insurance plan is part of a package that includes health insurance. The benefits include old-age pension, disabled person’s pension, and survivor’s pension.
    National Pension Plan
    Anyone aged between 20 and 59 who is not covered by the Welfare Pension Insurance Plan or other similar scheme must enroll in the National Pension Plan.
    お問い合わせ
    For further information, inquire at the National Pension Division at each municipal office.

    Consultation contents

    Unemployment Insurance

    Answer

    Unemployment insurance aims to ensure stabilized employment and provide unemployed persons with benefits to financially support them while looking for another job. The unemployment benefits are funded by the insurance premiums paid by workers and employers. Foreign workers (including stateless persons) who are employed in Japan are covered by the unemployment insurance through their employer regardless of their nationality, unless their enrollment in any foreign unemployment insurance program is proven. Workers who leave their job for personal reasons or as a result of dismissal and who meet the following conditions are eligible for the basic allowance, upon approval of the public employment security office.
    • Those with a visa status that carries no restrictions on employment activities in Japan and with permission to be repeatedly employed in Japan.
    • A member of the scheme for at least 12 months within a 2-year period prior to separation from work. (On account of dismissal or company bankruptcy, a member of the scheme for at least 6 months within a 1-year period prior to separation from work)
    • Those with proof of loss of insurance eligibility as a result of leaving their job.
    • Those who wish to work but cannot find a job.
    ※For details, inquire at your local public employment security office.

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