Health insurance and pension in Japan are mandatory for residents in Japan including international students. The healthcare and pension system in Japan is designed to ensure all residents are financially protected in case of illness or injury and to provide for future retirement.
For international students that have first arrived in Japan, the Japanese health insurance and pension systems can be confusing and difficult to navigate. Do you need to pay the full amount as someone in Japan? We have prepared this article to provide you with an overview of the health insurance and pension system in Japan, and what you need to do about them as an international student in Japan.
All long-term students should enroll in the National Health Insurance system as soon as they arrive in Japan. When you apply to study in Japan through Coto School Finder, we will guide you on how to get proper insurance so you will be safe and secure during your time in Japan.
Jump to:
- Quick Intro to Health Insurance and Pension in Japan
- Procedure for Health Insurance for International Students in Japan
- Procedure for Pension for International Students in Japan
Quick Intro to Health Insurance and Pension in Japan
Health insurance in Japan is compulsory for all residents living in Japan, including international students. The National Health Insurance System in Japan, called “kokumin kenkou hoken seido (国民健康保険制度), is administered by the government through local municipality offices. It is for residents who are not enrolled in other forms of insurance systems like company health insurance (健康保険), mutual aid insurance (共済組合), and others. In the case of international students, they are generally required to enrol in National Health Insurance.
Pension in Japan is also mandatory for all residents, including international students. National Pension, called “kokumin nenkin(国民年金)” is implemented by the Japan Pension Service. Unlike health insurance, pension contributions only start when you reach 20 years of age and until 59 years of age. There are also private pension organizations, but in the case of international students, they are generally required to enrol in National Pension.
Benefits of Health Insurance and Pension in Japan
In Japan, health insurance comes with great benefits. After signing up for health insurance, you will receive an insurance card. When going to medical institutions to receive treatment for injuries and sickness, presenting your insurance card will entitle you to cheaper treatment costs. 70% of the total medical costs will be covered by insurance, so you will only need to pay out of pocket 30% of the total medical costs.
In addition, there are also maximum limit medical costs per month, which means that you can be refunded for the number of medical costs incurred in a month that exceeds the maximum limit. This is especially helpful if you sustain a serious injury or illness that requires hospitalization which can be quite a hefty bill.
Note that not all types of treatments are covered by insurance, so you should check or inquire with the clinic or hospital beforehand. For example in the case of dental fillings, metal fillings are insurance covered but ceramic fillings are not. And yes, in case you are wondering, dental treatment in Japan is covered by insurance.
On the other hand, pension in Japan comes with 3 types of benefits, which are:
- Old Age Pension Payout: Available when reached 65 years of age and contributed to pension for at least 10 years.
- Disability Pension Payout: Available when became disabled.
- Survivor’s Pension Payout: Available to surviving family members of the pension contributor upon his/her death. The contribution period condition applies.
How to Set Up Health Insurance for International Students in Japan
The process of registration for National Health Insurance is very simple. Within 14 days of your arrival in Japan, you are required to register your residency at the local municipality office with jurisdiction over your residential address. After you are done with that, then head to the floor or department that overlooks health insurance to register. After that, simply wait for your insurance card to be sent by post to your address. Note that national insurance cards are renewed yearly.
APPLYING FOR A REDUCTION IN HEALTH INSURANCE AS A STUDENT IN JAPAN
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), National Health Insurance premiums are calculated based on your previous year’s income, including income from part-time jobs. If you have no income or your income is below a certain threshold, you can apply for reductions.
For first-year international students in Japan who have no prior income record in Japan, you can apply for a national health insurance discount when visiting the municipality office to sign-up for the national health insurance.
Procedure for Pension for International Students in Japan
According to the Japan Pension Service, you are required to register for pension at your local municipality office within 14 days of being subject to the conditions for pension contributions, aka turning 20 years of age. For international students aged 20 and above when arriving in Japan, you can register for pension at the same time when visiting the local municipality office to do registration for residency and national health insurance.
As of April 2022, pension book (年金手帳 nenkin techou) are no longer issued to people who newly register for pension. Instead, newly registered pensioners will receive a Notice of Basic Pension Number(基礎年金番号通知書) to inform them of their pension number.
Depending on the layout of your local municipality office, the residency, health insurance and pension departments may be on different floors.
APPLYING FOR AN EXEMPTION FOR NATIONAL PENSION AS A STUDENT IN JAPAN
According to the Japan Pension Service website, the contribution amount for the National Pension (国民年金) is 16,590 yen a month for the fiscal year 2022. This might be too expensive when you are just a student. Luckily, postponement, exemption, or reduction of pension payments are available but subject to approval for low-income students in Japan.
You can apply for the special student postponement scheme or exemptions/reductions when visiting the local municipality office to sign-up for National Pension. Keep in mind that you are required to join the pension system only when you turn 20 years old in Japan.
Conclusion
In Japan, health insurance and pension are mandatory for residents in Japan including international students staying for more than 3 months. Generally, international students in Japan enroll in national health insurance and national pension. Familiarise yourself with the benefits to make the most use of them, and register in compliance with the rules to receive coverage and protection.
If you are using Coto School Finder to study in Japan, we will help you answer your questions about health insurance and pension in Japan during our free consultation.
Ready to come to Japan? Contact us for more information or if you have any questions!
Are international students required to get health insurance in Japan?
Yes, health insurance is mandatory for all residents in Japan including international students who are staying for more than 3 months. Generally, international students will sign-up for National Health Insurance (国民健康保険 kokumin kenkou hoken) administered by the government. To sign-up for National Health Insurance, visit the local municipality office with jurisdiction over your address of residence.
How much does the Japanese National Health Insurance covers?
When presenting your insurance card at medical institutions, you are eligible to receive a discount for treatment. 70% of the total cost is covered by insurance, so you only need to personally pay 30% of the total medical costs. Note however that this coverage does not apply to all treatment, so inquire beforehand.
Additionally, there is a maximum cap system for medical expenses in a month. If your medical expenses in a single month exceeds a certain amount, you can apply for a refund. Alternatively, if the onset amount is very high, you can apply for a certificate in advance which means you only pay up to the ceiling amount and do not need to apply for a refund.
How much is health insurance in Japan for international students?
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW), National Health Insurance premiums are calculated based on your previous year’s income, including income from part-time jobs. If you have no income or your income is below a certain threshold, you can apply for reductions.
For first-year international students in Japan who have no prior income record in Japan, you can apply for a national health insurance discount when visiting the municipality office to sign-up for the national health insurance.
Is pension compulsory for international students in Japan?
Yes, but only if you are aged between 20 to 59 years old.
How much is pension contributions for international students in Japan?
According to the Japan Pension Service website, the contribution amount for the National Pension (国民年金) is 16,590 yen a month for the fiscal year 2022.
You can apply for the special student postponement scheme or exemptions/reductions when visiting the local municipality office to sign-up for National Pension.
