Health Insurance in Japan
In Japan, you join public health insurance to reduce the burden of medical costs when you become sick or injured.
In Japan, you join public health insurance to reduce the burden of medical costs when you become sick or injured.
People working for a company generally join their employer's health insurance; people who are not enrolled in a company's health insurance generally join National Health Insurance (国民健康保険). There are also other arrangements, such as being covered as a dependent under a family member's health insurance.
After that, check your health insurance situation based on your circumstances.
The premium payment structure changes from when you were employed. Compare it with National Health Insurance or being covered as a family dependent before deciding.
People working for a company generally join their employer's health insurance; people who are not enrolled in a company's health insurance generally join National Health Insurance (国民健康保険). There are also other arrangements, such as being covered as a dependent under a family member's health insurance.
- If your employer is a company covered by health insurance and you meet the enrollment conditions, you join your employer's health insurance.
People working for a company generally join their employer's health insurance; people who are not enrolled in a company's health insurance generally join National Health Insurance (国民健康保険). There are also other arrangements, such as being covered as a dependent under a family member's health insurance.
- If a family member is enrolled in a company's health insurance and you meet the conditions for being a dependent, you may be added to that family member's health insurance.
Voluntarily Continuing Your Previous Health Insurance
- If your family members meet certain conditions, they may be added to your health insurance as "dependents" (被扶養者).
People working for a company generally join their employer's health insurance; people who are not enrolled in a company's health insurance generally join National Health Insurance (国民健康保険). There are also other arrangements, such as being covered as a dependent under a family member's health insurance.
- People who do not join another health insurance should check National Health Insurance.
Going to the Hospital
The previous health insurance card expired on December 1, 2025.
As of August 2026, hospitals and pharmacies mainly use one of the following:
- My Number Health Insurance Card (マイナ保険証)
- Certificate of Eligibility (資格確認書)
The "My Number Health Insurance Card" is a My Number Card registered for use as a health insurance card.
People who do not have a My Number Health Insurance Card are, in principle, issued a Certificate of Eligibility. If you show the Certificate of Eligibility at a hospital or pharmacy, you can receive insured medical treatment.
People Working for a Company
If your employer is a company covered by health insurance and you meet the enrollment conditions, you join your employer's health insurance.
Premiums are normally deducted from your salary.
If your family members meet certain conditions, they may be added to your health insurance as "dependents" (被扶養者).
If you are unsure about your employer's health insurance, check with your company's HR/general affairs department or the health insurance provider you are enrolled in.
National Health Insurance
People who have an address in Japan and are not enrolled in another public health insurance, such as an employer's health insurance or as a dependent, are subject to National Health Insurance.
When you enroll in or withdraw from National Health Insurance, you must complete the procedure within 14 days at the National Health Insurance counter of the municipality (shikuchoson) where you live.
The required documents differ by municipality and situation, so check with your municipality.
When You Leave Your Job
When you leave a company, the health insurance from that company generally cannot be used from the day after your resignation date.
After that, check your health insurance situation based on your circumstances.
The main options are as follows.
Joining a New Company's Health Insurance
If you start working at a new company right after leaving your job and meet the enrollment conditions, complete the health insurance procedure at the new company.
Being Covered as a Dependent Under a Family Member's Health Insurance
If a family member is enrolled in a company's health insurance and you meet the conditions for being a dependent, you may be added to that family member's health insurance.
Check the conditions with the health insurance provider they are enrolled in.
Voluntarily Continuing Your Previous Health Insurance
People who meet certain conditions may be able to "voluntarily continue" (任意継続) the health insurance they had before leaving their job.
For the Japan Health Insurance Association (協会けんぽ), you must meet both of the following:
- You have been continuously enrolled in health insurance for at least 2 months up to your resignation date
- You complete the procedure within 20 days from the day after your resignation date
The premium payment structure changes from when you were employed. Compare it with National Health Insurance or being covered as a family dependent before deciding.
Joining National Health Insurance
People who do not join another health insurance should check National Health Insurance.
Complete the procedure at your municipality within 14 days from the day you become eligible.
If You Are Not Sure Which Health Insurance to Check
Which health insurance you should check after leaving your job depends on your next job, your family's health insurance, and your previous enrollment period, among other things.
Check the health insurance you needWhen You Leave Your Job
Which health insurance you should check after leaving your job depends on your next job, your family's health insurance, and your previous enrollment period, among other things.
When You Leave Your Job
- When you leave a company, the health insurance from that company generally cannot be used from the day after your resignation date.
National Health Insurance
- Complete the procedure at your municipality within 14 days from the day you become eligible.
Voluntarily Continuing Your Previous Health Insurance
- You have been continuously enrolled in health insurance for at least 2 months up to your resignation date
- You complete the procedure within 20 days from the day after your resignation date
If It Is Difficult to Pay Your Premiums
If you are having difficulty paying your National Health Insurance premiums, do not leave it unresolved — consult your municipality.
They will check whether a system suited to your income situation, etc., is available.
If You Are Not Sure
- Company health insurance → Your company's HR/general affairs, or the health insurance provider you are enrolled in
- National Health Insurance → Your municipality
- Not sure which to choose after leaving your job → JANIA's check page
What You Can Check Next
- Leaving a job, changing jobs, becoming unemployed
- Pension in Japan
- Sick or injured, want to go to the hospital
- Not sure where to consult
Main Sources to Check
- Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kenpo)
- Municipal government (shikuchoson)
Last checked: August 2026