Job Discussion Forums

yellow earth · Joined: 14 Jan 2009 Posts: 41

I'm coming to the end of my first year teaching in Japan. Right now, I have the NATIONAL health insurance. I pay 6,000 to 7,000 yen a month.

I've been doing interviews for a new job for next year. Employers are telling me that after your first year in Japan, Health Insurance fees go up alot. People are quoting me 20,000 yen a month.

Is this true? Is there any way around this? What about PRIVATE insurance?

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Seems like 6,000-7,000 per month is a lot for one person. Should be more like 2,500 yen/month the first year. Do you have dependents?

Yes, the payments go up about tenfold. There is no way around it. Everyone is obligated to pay for it.

Go off the national plan, and you risk some things. For one, if you ever decide to go back on it, you will have to make up to 2 years of backpayments even if you had private insurance.

flyer · Joined: 16 May 2003 Posts: 539 Location: Sapporo Japan

yes, be very careful.

we all have to pay for it.