In case a worker injures himself or dies on the job or while they commute, Workmen’s Accident Compensation Insurance will compensate him. This insurance applies to any worker regardless of their nationality and work hours.

2. Employment Insurance

Employment Insurance is intended to provide financial stability for a worker in the event he or she becomes unemployed. Appropriate allowances are provided through this program. In principle, it is required that all foreign workers be enrolled in the Employment Insurance system, with the exception of part time workers, employees who work less than 20 hours per week, and employees on contracts of less than one year. By law, workers have the right to request their employers to insure them. To receive the allowance, the worker must have participated in the Employment Insurance program for at least 12 months during the past 2 years - retroactive to the date the worker quit the company; if the worker is dismissed or if the employer is bankrupt the worker is eligible after 6 months on the program. The premium is split between the employer and the insured at specific rates. Generally the employee pays the sum of 4/1000 of their income (5/1000 in some industries).

You can apply for an unemployment allowance at your local Public Employment Security Office (also called "Hello Work"). You qualify for the allowance if you are fired or your salary gets significantly reduced, if the company does not renew your contract, or if you leave the job at the end of your contract. If you voluntarily leave your job before the end of your contract, depending upon your reason for resigning, you will have to wait for one to three months before receiving any allowance.

3. Health Insurance

This system was set up to ensure employed people and their dependents are able to receive medical attention when they become ill or injured when they are not on duty or on commute. One's employer, who shares insurance costs with the employees, handles enrollment into the company's health insurance and pension plans.

　 Eligibility

By law, all employers are required to have their regular employees enrolled in the health insurance system (this excludes temporary or daily workers) if they work equal to or more than 3/4 of the full-time’s worker’s working hours. ( in a day, or monthly basis)

All working people and their dependents insured under the health insurance plan must bear 30% of medical costs. The total cost of the insurance premiums is split between the employee and the employer.

Dependents Eligible under the Work Place Health Insurance System
In case that the insured employee supports dependants, the dependants are eligible for coverage under the health insurance plan if the dependant's annual salary is equal to or less than 1,300,000 Yen and less than half of the insured employee. The term "Dependents" included the spouse, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, children, grandchildren, or siblings of the insured employee, who do not necessarily live with the insured employee, and non-blood relatives who share the same household as the insured employee.

To apply, the insured employee may apply and request coverage for family members with a ifuyosha-todoke (被扶養者届/application form for dependents). If there is a change in the status for any dependents (birth, death, employment status, residence), the insured employee should inform his company administration division within five days of the change and ask for a hifuyosha-ido-todoke (被扶養者異動届/application form for change of dependents).

Benefits available under the Work Place Health Insurance System
People insured may utilize health insurance at hospitals to help pay for medical visits, medication, surgery or hospital stays in the case of illness or injury. The insurance covers 70% of essential medical costs while the patient is required to pay the remaining 30%. Please note that coverage only applies to illness or injury and not to physical check-ups, cosmetic surgery, healthy pregnancies, or childbirth. If an employee is injured or ill at work, or commuting to and from work, Worker's Accident Compensation Insurance (労災保険＝rosai hoken) will cover any medical costs incurred.

Compensation for High Medical Costs
If the insured employee or one of the dependents covered by the policy receives medical attention at the same hospital, for the same illness or injury in a one-month period, and the medical costs incurred are  72,300 Yen or more, the amount surpassing 72,300 Yen will be reimbursed.

Additionally, if  two or more dependents (plus the insured employee) has medical costs of 21,000Yen or more each and the combined medical costs are 72,300 Yen or more, then the difference may also be reimbursed.

4. Welfare Pension Insurance

If a worker worked more than 25 years in Japan, then he/she will get this pension.

Who is eligible: Regular employees of a company

By law all employers are required to have their regular employees on the Welfare Pension Program (this excludes temporary or daily workers) if they work equal to or more than 3/4 of the full0-time’s worker’s working hours. ( in a day, or monthly basis)  

*About 10% of an employee's monthly salary and bonuses is deducted to cover health insurance premiums.