Medical insurance

In Japan, there are a number public medical insurance schemes to ensure that everyone can get low-cost medical care whenever they are ill or injured. Medical insurance is not only for you, but it is a scheme where many people support one another. You need to join one of the three schemes below.

1. Workplace health insurance

　You will join a company health insurance scheme at your workplace if you meet conditions including working 20 hours or more per week and earning \88,000 or more per month. In some cases, any family members living in Japan may also be able to join your workplace’s health insurance scheme. Ask your employer for information on whether your family can join the workplace insurance scheme.

2. National health insurance

You must join the Fukuoka City national health insurance scheme if you have been living in Japan for more than 3 months. Apply to join the national health insurance scheme at the Health Insurance & Pension Section of your local ward office.
However, you cannot a join the national health insurance scheme if any of the below points apply.

(1) The status of residence on your residence card is Designated Activities, and you engage in the following activities:
・receiving medical treatment, or are assisting a foreign national receiving medical treatment;
　or
・staying in Japan for travel or recreational activities or are the spouse of a foreign national staying in Japan for travel or recreational activities.
⚠ If your status of residence is Designated Activities, you must show your Designation Form.
(2)　You have already joined your workplace’s health insurance scheme.
(3)　You have already joined the medical care system for older senior citizens.
(4)　You receive public assistance.
(5)　You receive financial support for Japanese citizens who remained in China after the war.
(6)　Your home country has signed a social security agreement with Japan that includes medical
　　　insurance, and you have a certificate indicating you are receiving social security from your home
　　　country’s government.

3. Medical care system for older senior citizens

You will join the medical care system for older senior citizens if: 　
-you have been living in Japan for over three months, and you are aged 75 or older; or　
-you are aged between 65 and 74 and have been recognized as having a partial impairment by the Fukuoka Prefecture Older Senior Citizen’s Regional Council. (For more information on how to apply for recognition, contact the Health Insurance & Pension Section of your local ward office).
However, you cannot a join the medical care system for older senior citizens if any of the below points apply.

(1) The status of residence on your residence card is Designated Activities, and you engage in the
　　　following activities:
　　　・receiving medical treatment, or are assisting a foreign national receiving medical treatment;
　　　　or
　　　・staying in Japan for travel or recreational activities or are the spouse of a foreign national staying in
　　　　Japan for travel or recreational activities.
　　　⚠ If your status of residence is Designated Activities, you must show your Designation Form.
(2)　You receive public assistance.
(3)　You receive financial support for Japanese citizens who remained in China after the war.
(4)　Your home country has signed a social security agreement with Japan that includes medical
　　　　insurance, and you have a certificate indicating you are receiving social security from your home
 　　　country’s government.

 Insurance premiums

Everyone who joins a medical insurance scheme must pay insurance premiums. Your insurance premiums depend on how much income you earn.

Notice on the Payment of Fukuoka City National Health Insurance（Important） （577kbyte）

Inquiries

For inquiries to ward offices

Multilingual support line for all ward offices
Telephone: 092-753-6113
Supported languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali and more
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00–17:00　(closed on public and New Year holidays)

For general inquiries and advice

Fukuoka City Consultation Support Center for Foreign Residents
Telephone: 0120-66-1799 (free)
*You can also call on 092-262-1799 (charges apply).
Supported languages: English, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Nepali and more
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00–18:00 (closed on public and New Year holidays)