Question # 49 - Is health insurance available when teaching ESL in Japan?

Japan has a terrific social health program. Nearly EVERYBODY has health insurance. One is a 70-30 system….insurance pays 70%, and the insured pays the rest. The other is an 80-20 system – same thing.

Generally big corps will buy the 80-20 for their employees or must be bought through a company.

The 70-30 is paid for by smaller companies and the self-employed….and is based on the income of the insured.

Unfortunately I was self-employed and my school’s income looked like my person

al income and I had to pay out the gazoo for the insurance.

Our hired teachers were given a lower income, a higher housing allowance and the paid insurance premium was considered part of their salary package. Finagling happens in Japan, too.

Sometimes teachers who plan to stay a year or less buy travel insurance and it’s cheaper than anything in Japan. I ended up buying insurance through a missionary group that I had connections with…much cheaper and just as thorough, though I had to pay up front and file claims and all that nonsense.

Still both systems (Kokumin Kenko Hokken and Shakai Hokken) cover everything – including teeth and eyes….everything.

What kind of health insurance do you have in Japan?