Mie Prefecture has a support center for foreign residents called MieCo. Below are some of the most common questions received by the center, along with their answers.
Question 1
I am insured under the Japanese health system. My parents, who live in my home country, will be coming to Japan on a three-month short-stay visa. Can they be included as my dependents under the health insurance?
Answer 1
No. Relatives on a three-month short-stay visa cannot be considered your dependents and therefore cannot use the Japanese health insurance. It is most common for visitors to purchase travel insurance before coming to Japan.
Question 2
Is there a system to help when medical expenses are too high?
Answer 2
Yes. There is a High Medical Expense Reimbursement System (Kogaku Iryo-hi Seido – 高額医療費制度). If the medical expenses paid at hospitals and pharmacies within a single month (from the 1st to the last day of the month) exceed a set maximum amount, the excess amount can be reimbursed. The limit depends on the patient’s age and income.
Question 3
I am currently enrolled in the health insurance of the company where I work. What happens to my health insurance after I resign?
Answer 3
The company’s health insurance expires the day after you resign. The insurance card must be returned to the company on your last day of work. After that, you can choose to join the National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken) or become a dependent on a family member’s insurance.
About the Health Insurance System in Japan
All people residing in Japan, regardless of nationality, must be enrolled in public health insurance. There are three main types of health insurance in Japan:
Company Health Insurance (Kenko Hoken)
Applicable to employees of companies where health insurance membership is mandatory.
Insurance is handled by the company.
National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenko Hoken)
Intended for people under 75 who are not eligible for company health insurance.
Application and withdrawal must be made at the city hall or municipal office where the person resides.
Senior Citizens’ Health Insurance System (Koki Koreisha Iryo Seido)
Applicable to people 75 or older. Application and withdrawal are made at the city hall or municipal office.
For more information on health insurance, please also refer to the following material:
(Excerpt from the Japan Immigration Services Agency’s Guide to Living and Working)
- Health Insurance and Medical Assistance (Portuguese)
- Health Insurance and Medical Assistance (Spanish)
- Health Insurance and Medical Assistance (Vietnamese)
- Health Insurance and Medical Assistance (Tagalog)
- Health Insurance and Medical Assistance (English)
- Health Insurance and Medical Assistance (Chinese)
- Health Insurance and Medical Assistance (Simple Japanese)
