Job Discussion Forums

capper · Joined: 12 Feb 2004 Posts: 61

I am presently paying into the Japanese National Health Plan. I would like to buy another health plan and cancel my Japanese plan. How do I go about it? Is it a straight-forward process?

Also, since I will be moving to a new apartment in a new location (different prefecture), will this make matters easier in this process?

Does anyone have experience in this situation?

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

Capper,

This issue has been addressed at great length in a well written online article on the Japanfile.com website.

If you read this: http://www.japanfile.com/living_in_japan/life_in_japan/Health_insurance-1.shtml you should get most of the answers you need.

It's a little dated, but still a valid article.

Cheers,

JD

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

capper, here's the answer. Move wards and cancel your insurance. This might be harder than you think. Either show them you already have insurance, or do what I did. I changed Wards, updated my alien registration card, went back to the old ward, showed them I moved, and never renewed the Japanese insurance. Then I bought ex-pat insurance. Another option is to leave the country. Once you start paying into the insurance plan, it's hard to get off of it. Good luck.