TABLE OF CONTENTS
This page provides an overview of the key social insurance programs in Japan, including their coverage, eligibility, and contribution requirements. It is designed to help you understand your rights and obligations, and how these programs support both employees and employers.
Important: Social insurance premiums including Health Insurance, Nursing Care Insurance, and Welfare Pension are calculated based on the previous month’s earnings. As a result, premiums are not deducted in the month starting employment; deductions will begin from the following month.
1. Health Insurance (健康保険 – Kenko Hoken)
Coverage:
Medical care for employees and their dependents
Maternity benefits
Non-occupational injury/sickness allowances
Administered by:
Kyokai Kenpo (全国健康保険協会)
Contributions:
Shared by employer and employee
Based on standard monthly remuneration: 4.99% of total income (varies by city)
2. Welfare Pension Insurance (厚生年金保険 – Kosei Nenkin)
Coverage:
Retirement pension
Disability pension
Survivors’ benefits
Eligibility:
Mandatory for employees under 70 years old
Contributions (2025):
9.15% of standard monthly remuneration (shared by employer and employee)
3. Unemployment Insurance (雇用保険 – Koyo Hoken)
Coverage:
Unemployment benefits
Childcare and family care leave benefits
Contributions (2025):
0.9% of total income (shared by employer and employee)
Childcare/Family Care Leave: ~0.36% of standard monthly remuneration (varies by city)
4. Nursing Care Insurance (介護保険 – Kaigo Hoken)
Coverage:
Long-term care services for elderly (65+)
Support for individuals aged 40–64 with age-related illnesses
Contributions (2025):
0.8% of standard monthly remuneration amount (SMR) (varies by city)
Only applicable to employees aged 40–64
Employees aged 65+ pay directly to their municipality (no employer contribution)
5. Workers’ Compensation Insurance (労働者災害補償保険)
Coverage:
Work-related injuries, illnesses, or death
Contributions (2025):
0.3% of total income
Fully paid by the employer
Rate may vary by city and industry
6. Asbestos Health Damage Relief
Coverage:
Financial support for individuals affected by asbestos-related illnesses
Contributions (2025):
0.002% of gross income
Paid by the employer