Leaving a Job, Changing Jobs, or Becoming Unemployed

When you leave a company, check your health insurance, pension, employment insurance, resident tax, and residence status.

JANIA organizes what you need to check and the procedures you need, based on your own situation.

If you already know which item you want to check, you can go directly to health insurance, pension, employment insurance, resident tax, or residence status.

First, Check This

• What day did you leave the company?
• Is your next job already decided?
• What is your own residence status?

Documents You Receive from the Company

Separation Notice (離職票)

A document used when applying for basic unemployment benefits under employment insurance, among others.

If you have requested it but it has not arrived, first check with the company; if it still does not arrive, you can consult Hello Work.

Withholding Slip for Salary Income (給与所得の源泉徴収票)

Records the salary paid to you by the company that year and the income tax withheld from your salary, among other information.

Used for year-end adjustment at your next company, or when filing your own final tax return.

Short explanations of "year-end adjustment" and "final tax return" are made available on the spot, with a path to more detailed pages.

Documents About Health Insurance

For procedures such as National Health Insurance, you may need a document showing that you have left the company's health insurance.

Health Insurance

After leaving your job, check your new company's health insurance, being covered as a dependent under a family member's health insurance, voluntary continuation, National Health Insurance, and other options.

Pension

If you do not immediately join a new company's Employees' Pension Insurance after leaving your job, among other cases, you may need to complete National Pension procedures.

Employment Insurance

If you are looking for work, check with Hello Work whether you qualify for basic unemployment benefits under employment insurance, among others.

Resident Tax

How you pay the remaining resident tax changes depending on when you leave the company.

Whether your next company is already decided also changes how you pay.

Residence Status

Depending on your residence status, a notification may be required when you leave a job or change jobs.

Check your Residence Card, and if you are not sure, consult a Regional Immigration Services Bureau, among others.

Consult in These Situations

• You have not been paid your wages
• You were suddenly told to leave the company
• The company will not give you a document you need
• The reason for leaving stated on your Separation Notice does not match the facts
• You experienced harassment
• You are worried about your residence status

What You Can Check Next

• Health insurance in Japan
• Pension in Japan
• Taxes in Japan
• Year-end adjustment and final tax return
• Residence status and the Residence Card
• Unpaid wages, dismissal, and harassment
• Not sure where to consult

Main Sources to Check

• Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
• Hello Work
• National Tax Agency
• Immigration Services Agency of Japan

Last checked: August 2026