5 Other insurance systems for workers
(1)Workmen's Accident Compensation Insurance System
According to the Workmen's Accident Compensation Insurance Law, establishments employing worker are covered by the Workmen's Accident Compensation Insurance, in principle. Relevant insurance benefits shall be paid for injury, disease, physical handicap, death and so on to workers resulting from their work or commutation.
The details of insurance benefits provided by Workmen's Accident Compensation Insurance are as follows.
- Medical treatment benefits (medical compensation benefits)
This will be paid in case a worker undergoes medical treatment for an injury or disease from his work or during commutation. - Absence benefits (non-duty compensation benefits)
This will be paid from the 4th day of the medical treatment in case a worker does not receive wages for not being able to work due to medical treatment stated in the above item 1. - Sick pension benefits (sick compensation benefits)
This will be paid when a worker is in a condition of handicapped 1 year and 6 months after he started to undergo medical treatment for an injury or disease from his work or during commutation. - Physical disability benefits (physical disability compensation benefits)
This will be paid according to the degree of physical disability in case a worker is disabled from work or during commutation despite of medical treatment. - Survivors benefits (survivors compensation benefits)
This will be paid to survivors in case a worker dies from his work or during commutation. Also, funeral allowance is paid to those who hold funeral for him. - Long-term care benefit (long-term care compensation)
This will be paid to the people under physical disability pension (compensation) program or sick pension (compensation) program, and is taken care constantly or on occasions, due to specified physical disability or disease. - Secondary medical check benefits, etc.
When a doctor determines, based on the results of the periodical medical check required under the Industrial Safety and Health Law, that a worker has all of the following disorders: obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar level, and a high level of fat in the blood; the worker will be eligible to undergo either a secondary medical check or special health counseling (those who are found to have disorders of the brain or heart are not eligible).
<For further information on the Workmen's Accident Compensation Insurance System, please contact the Labour Standards Inspection Office >
(2)Health Insurance system
As long as foreign nationals are regularly employed by a covered establishment, the Health Insurance applies to them. So they are required to join in this system.
By participating in the Health Insurance, the insured and their dependents will be paid medical benefits and allowances needed in case they receive medical treatment for a disease or injury. In addition, benefits are available in the event of a birth or a death. If you are not insured under the Health Insurance plan, all medical costs incurred must be borne by the person seeking medical assistance.
(3)National Health Insurance System
Also, registered foreign nationals who are not covered by the health insurance system and for whom the prescribed period of stay according to Immigration Control Act is one year or longer (and including foreign residents with a visa period of stay under one year who have a certificate from their employer of school stating that they will be in Japan more than one year), will be covered by National Health Insurance, in principle.
The National Health Insurance System assures you necessary medical benefits when you take medical treatment in case of disease or injury. Maternity and death benefits are also provided. Those who are not covered by the system have to pay the full amount of medical expenses.
(4)Welfare Pension Insurance System, National Pension Insurance System
Welfare Pension Insurance System, National Pension Insurance System As long as foreign nationals are regularly employed by a covered establishment, the Welfare Pension Insurance applies to them, so it is necessary to participate in this system. Also, among foreign nationals who have no regular employment relations, those who have permanent address in Japan will be covered by the National Pension Insurance.
By participating in the Pension Insurance System and meeting certain requirements, old-age pensions, disability pensions (or disability allowances), or survivor's pensions will be paid respectively, when you are aged, handicapped, or dead, etc. Moreover, a lump-sum withdrawal payment shall be paid to those who have been participating in the Pension Insurance System in Japan by taking appropriate request procedures after leaving Japan. The lump-sum withdrawal payment will be paid in principle to those who meet all of the following conditions if an application is filed within 2 years after departure from Japan. The conditions for receiving the lump-sum withdrawal payment:
- Persons who do not possess Japanese citizenship.
- Persons who have paid insurance premiums for welfare pensions or national pensions for 6 months or more.
- Persons who do not have a place of residence in Japan.
- Persons who have never had the right to receive pension payments (including disability allowances).
<For further information on Health Insurance System and the Pension Insurance System, please contact the nearest Social Insurance Office. For National Health Insurance System, please contact the local government office in your district. >
