National Health Insurance
National Health Insurance
A Certificate of Alien Registration and/or the National Health Insurance Card are often required for identification purposes when opening a savings account and for other matters in Japan. We strongly recommend that all international students complete these two procedures as soon as they settle in. Please refer to the maps below for Kyoto City/Ward Offices and Uji City Hall.
All foreign nationals residing in Japan for more than one year are required to be covered by one of the Japanese public medical insurance programs. For students, the most common and highly recommended option is to join the National Health Insurance (NHI).
However, the NHI program does not provide full cover against death, accidents, loss, fire, or full damages compensation. Enrolling in additional insurance programs is, therefore, highly recommended. Please refer to the website of "Accident Insurance/Student Mutual Benefit/Personal Liability Insurance."
Students with a "Temporary Visitors' Visa" or a "College Student Visa (with a 6-month period of stay)" will not be eligible for the NHI, and are highly encouraged to buy a travel insurance policy (or other similar policy) before coming to Japan.
* Individuals with a "College Student Visa (with a 6-month period of stay)" may still be covered under the National Health Insurance (NHI), on the condition that they provide written proof from Kyoto University, indicating that their scheduled period of stay is longer than one year.
Required Items
- Passport
- Alien Registration Card or "Kofu Yotei Kikan Shiteisho" (Not required for Uji City residents)
- An application form for NHI (Kokumin Kenko Hoken Hihokensha Idoutodoke)
- A debit authorization form (optional)
Method of Use
Once enrolled, subscribers will receive a health insurance card. When going to a hospital or clinic, subscribers need only pay 30% of the expenses with presenting the insurance cards at the reception desk prior to the treatment. Please be aware that NHI cannot be used in some treatments including normal pregnancy/childbirth, cosmetic surgery, yearly check-ups, vaccinations, or orthodontic treatment. This insurance is valid throughout Japan, so do not forget to take the card with you on domestic trips.
* Subscribers who forget to bring the card when receiving medical treatment must pay the entire amount of the bill. However, they can file for a reimbursement later by taking the receipt, statement, bankbook and health insurance card to the City/Ward Office. After processing the claim, the City/Ward Office will reimburse 70% of the medical expenses.
It is prohibited to rent/borrow/sell/buy NHI certificate and those who break this law will be punished.
Health Insurance Premium and Method of Payment
Calculation of the annual premium is based on the subscriber's previous year's income in Japan. The annual premium is paid in ten monthly installments from June to March. International students are required to pay a discounted premium of approximately \18,000 annually. Please note that the premium may increase according to income from part-time jobs. Also, be aware that overdue health insurance payments will be fined accordingly.
The method of payment is (1) automatic withdrawal from a bank or a Japan Post Bank (Yucho Bank) account (application necessary), or (2) manual payment with the payment slip at the bank, Japan Post Bank, the City/Ward Office, or convenience stores.
The Premium for Next Fiscal Year
An Income Declaration Form (Shotoku Shinkokusho) is sent to National Health Insurance (NHI) policy holders living in Kyoto City every year around March, to determine the premium for the next fiscal year. You are asked to fill out the form and send it back to the office by the designated deadline.
Residents of Uji city will not receive this form in the mail, and are asked to go to the municipal tax division of the city hall to fill it out when the time comes (February to March every year).
If the subscribers forget to complete this process and return the form to the office by the deadline, the premium will go up as the international student discount will not apply. Those who forget to return the Income Declaration Form must go to the City/Ward Office with their NHI card for adjustment.
Change of Address
Subscribers must take the following procedures within 14 days of their moving. If they move to different ward within Kyoto City, they must submit the old certificate to new ward office to get a new one. If they move to Kyoto City from other cities, they must clear the balance in the office in the old city and re-enroll NHI at the ward office of their new residence in Kyoto City.
"The National Health Insurance Guidebook"
(Sample)
This brochure is available in four languages (Japanese, Chinese, English, and Korean) in the City/Ward Offices in Kyoto City, or the International Service Office, Kyoto University.
