Job Discussion Forums

[zebra_fish2000]

Hi,

I'm a diabetic type 1. I was diagnosed about nine years ago. I have it under tight control, exercise regularly and eat right. I've had no problems.

My wife and I would love to teach in Japan. Is my diabetes a hindrance to gaining employment? Am I protected under Japanese law against discrimination?

I've noticed that most employers split medical insurance with employees. Is it expensive, and what can I expect? I've heard that Japan medicine is very good.

Any comments, anyone? Any fellow diabetics out there?

Thanks!

[Glenski]

I work at a HS with a guy that has diabetes (don't know what type). He has had no problems/hassles from his employer or the government related to this condition. He has been an eikaiwa teacher and eikaiwa manager as well.

I can't say that "most" employers will split health insurance payments. In fact, many eikaiwas try to get around this with a legal loophole. They claim to the government that teachers are only PT workers because of their classroom time only (25-30 hours/week).

National health insurance is very cheap in one's first year, about 2500 yen/month. However, this is because the government has no previous Japanese wage upon which to base anything on you. Thereafter, however, the amount you pay skyrockets tenfold or more (depending on your city and location within it, as well as your marital status and previous salary).

[zebra_fish2000]

Thank you, Glenski, for your reply.

I'm relieved to hear that there are diabetics working as ESL teachers in Japan. It's also nice to know that the cost of medical insurance is quite reasonable the first year. Even at ten times that amount, it still sounds a lot cheaper than what I pay now. And I have medical insurance!

[PAULH]

[shmooj]

While the employers I worked for were very personable and approachable they still exhibited the kind of narrow minded view that most Japanese have about having a "disease" as they are wont to call conditions like diabetes.

We had a teacher working for us (before I managed the school) who had a lot of other stresses in her life besides diabetes. But diabetes did make her tired more often than not and she was a bit negative when she got this way. Not really an encouragement to be around. Nothing really bad in itself.

ANyway, her relationship with the owners was a bit love/hate and eventually, she just felt it was the right time to move on. So, she gave notice and prepared to leave. Just before she left, a newsletter was printed. Just before distribution she enquired as to what it said. Turned out that they had told everyone that she was leaving because she was "sick" - undboutedly a reference to her diabetes and simply untrue.

Needless to say, there was quite a fracas in the office after this with one person in tears and I was on the fringe of all of this in mild shock.

So, while no one will fire you due to this, you might find that narrow minded views get you down and are expressed more directly to you than you might feel comfortable with. This is partly linguistic as it takes quite a bit of language to deal with a personal subject and maintain politeness but also, perhaps more importantly to consider, a cultural reason too.

Just something to bear in mind then...

[zebra_fish2000]

Thanks, Paul and Shmooj, for the advice. It's appreciated.

Do teachers generally take out private health insurance? Is it recommended? Or is the national health insurance satisfactory?

Guess I'll have to get used to being called "sick". I'm generally an upbeat person, so I hope I can weather it.

That teacher who was always tired...it may have been due to frequent low blood sugars. When the blood sugar is low there's a lack of energy. Hunger is generally the first sign. If the blood sugar gets too low a diabetic becomes irritable. Diabetics sometimes seem like they're drunk, but they are not. It's kind of like the brain shutting down. If it gets too low they pass out and can die. Fortunately, I usually know the signs and can address the problem quickly by eating something sweet.

It's good to be aware of the cultural differences and how they can be addressed.

[PAULH]

[Sherri]

I don't know if anyone out there has had good experiences with Global Health (a private expat plan), but a friend of mine is having a terrible time with them. He had to have emergency surgery while he happened to be in his home country of Canada to deal with a cancerous tumor blocking his colon--he was on vacation at the time--some vacation! Anyway, Global is refusing to pay out saying that the surgery was not an emergency, this despite letters written by his doctors in support. Just to let people know out there that Global is not necessarily going to be in your corner when you need them.

Japanese National Health Insurance will cover you even if you have a pre-existing condition--that is a big plus.

Also a small point, Japanese National Health does not cover childbirth, but you do get lots of freebies from the ward office, like vouchers for free ultra-sounds and a "present" of around 200,000 yen after you have the baby (the amount depends on where you live).
Sherri

[shmooj]

[Sherri]

I think it is the same as what I wrote--a present from the ward office which varies according to where you live. Childbirth is not covered by the national health, it is not considered an illness. You have to pay for all the prenatal visits and for the birth itself. If you have to have some kind of medical procedure like a c-section, then you will be covered. I had 2 children in Tokyo I don't need to see email from your friends.
Sherri

[PAULH]

Sherri

we had two kids born in Japan- the pre-natal visits the ultra-scans and the hospital stay for the actual delivery on both occasions was covered by my national health insurance (in Nara). We only paid 30% of the bill on those occasions as well as receiving the rebate.

[zebra_fish2000]

Again, thanks Paul, Sherri and Shmooj, for the feedback.

Well, it sounds like I might be okay with the Japanese National Health Insurance - at least for the first year. The succeeding years...I'm not so sure. I wonder if it's possible to purchase supplemental health insurance - to offset the costs. Maybe it's not practical. If you guys were in my shoes what would you do?

Is the replacement insurance for JNHI something you have to purchase before starting in Japan?

I don't know anything about Global Health, but that's a good "heads-up" to know, Sherri. Insurance companies are such sticklers, aren't they? I hope your friend gets that resolved.

My wife and I would like to have kids in the next five years. It's great to hear that the Japanese government provides a present.

[Sherri]

Paul H
Really?! Wow, I have never heard of that. Everyone around me having babies here, Japanese and non-Japanese were not covered. We just got the odd free check up and the gift from the ward office. I also have private health insurance so was covered for my hospital stay. I was a bit shocked that we were expected to hand over about 200,000 yen in cash before I could be admitted (while in labour!) Have there been changes? Did your wife have some special coverage for missing work? Just curious.
Sherri

[PAULH]