Japanese Social Insurance: Health, Pension, and Employment

If you're working in Japan, you're covered by social insurance. Here's what each part covers.

Social Insurance Components

Health Insurance (健康保険)

What's Covered

• 70% of medical costs
• Hospital stays
• Surgery
• Prescription medication
• Dental (50–70%)
• Mental health (limited)

What's NOT Covered

• Cosmetic procedures
• Health checkups (optional)
• Some vaccinations
• Experimental treatments

Cost

• Employee pays: ~5% of salary
• Employer pays: ~5% of salary
• Total: ~10% of salary

Pension (年金)

Types

What You Get

• Retirement pension — at age 65
• Disability pension — if disabled
• Survivors' pension — for dependents

Cost

• Employee pays: ~9.15% of salary
• Employer pays: ~9.15% of salary

Leaving Japan

• Lump-sum withdrawal — if you leave Japan before 10 years
• Claim at 65 — if you stay in the system

Employment Insurance (雇用保険)

What It Covers

• Unemployment benefits — if you lose your job
• Training subsidies — for skill development
• Parental leave benefits — for childbirth

Cost

• Employee pays: ~0.6% of salary
• Employer pays: ~0.95% of salary

Tips

1. Understand your deductions — check your pay stub
2. Keep records — of all insurance payments
3. Know your coverage — what's covered and what's not
4. Use the health insurance — it's excellent value
5. Consider private insurance — for extras (dental, vision)
6. Ask HR — if you have questions about your coverage
7. Keep documents — for pension claims when you leave Japan
8. Plan for retirement — pension alone may not be enough