{"id":26905,"date":"2022-12-04T15:27:53","date_gmt":"2022-12-04T15:27:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/?p=26905"},"modified":"2025-09-29T20:31:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T11:31:31","slug":"japanese-health-insurance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gogonihon.com\/en\/blog\/japanese-health-insurance\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese health insurance system (kokumin kenk\u014d hoken)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As of September 2025, this article has been updated to reflect recent changes in the system.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The health insurance scheme is required by the government in Japan for all Japanese citizens, permanent residents, and any foreign residents residing in Japan with a visa for three months or more, including students<\/a>. Kokumin kenk\u014d hoken<\/em> (\u56fd\u6c11\u5065\u5eb7\u4fdd\u967a), or National Health Insurance (NHI)<\/strong>, is available for those without Employees\u2019 Health Insurance. Let’s learn more about Japanese health insurance system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Premiums <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The premiums are based on income so students with little or no income will have low payments. The rates are calculated based on j\u016bminzei<\/em> (\u4f4f\u6c11\u7a0e), or residence tax<\/strong> from the previous calendar year, which is determined in June. Annual National Health Insurance premiums are divided into 10 installments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The monthly bills for Japan’s health insurance can easily be paid at any convenience store in Japan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"announcement<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Registration <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To enroll, applicants should visit their local city\/ward\/village office<\/a> with their Japanese IDs to fill out an application. It may be easiest if you enroll for the national health insurance on the same day as you register for your zairy\u016b<\/em> card<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People are required to join within two weeks of becoming eligible, which includes a change in employment status or a move from one municipality to another. Those that do not register when they become eligible can be charged for up to two years of back payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Health Insurance covers 70%<\/strong> of medical bills, while the insurer is responsible for the remainder. Your insurance applies whenever you become ill, injured, or require dental care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can also receive reimbursements for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n