Daily life and culture
Do I have to join health insurance in Japan, and which scheme?
Most residents of Japan must join a public health insurance scheme. Employees who qualify for workplace coverage are enrolled through their employer. Eligible residents without that coverage, including many students and self-employed people, enrol in National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) through their municipality.
Ask about enrolment when you register your address; the usual deadline is 14 days after becoming eligible. National Health Insurance premiums depend on your municipality, household and previous year's income. Many working-age members pay 30% of covered medical costs at the clinic, with the scheme covering the rest. Age, income and the treatment itself can affect what you pay.
What may vary
Stays of three months or less, holders of Designated Activities status for medical treatment or sightseeing, and people from countries with a social security agreement with Japan may be excluded or treated differently; family members of an employee are usually covered as dependants on the employer's scheme rather than NHI. Ask your municipal NHI office or your employer's HR.
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