All foreign nationals must have some type of health insurance.

The two types of mutual medical assistance are the following below:

1. Social Health Insurance (shakai hoken)

This is employer-provided health insurance. Premium payments are automatically deducted from the employee's monthly salary. Given this type of insurance, the company pays half of the total premium and the insured employee pays the other half. The coverage is 90% of medical costs for the employee and 70% for family members.

2. National Health Insurance (kokumin kenko hoken)

Those who are not enrolled in Social Health Insurance Program must enroll in the National Health Insurance Program. Non-Japanese residents with an residence card who lives in Japan for at least one year may join this. The premium for this insurance is calculated based on income, property owned, and the number of dependents. The insured person and family members will have 70% of their medical expenses covered. The remaining 30% must be paid after receiveing treatment.

How to apply: Bring your residence card and personal seal (a signature is ok) to the National Health Insurance Subsection of City Hall to fill out an application. You will then be issued a health insurance card (hokensho) which must be presented to receive medical treatment.

Important! The following are not covered by either health insurance plan:

• Normal pregnancy and childbirth
• Orthodontial work
• Medical check-ups and vaccinations
• Work-related injuries (this is covered by labor injury insurance)
• Injury or illness caused by a third person
• Cosmetic medical or dental treatment.