Japan Benefits Overview

This overview summarizes key statutory benefits and common employer practices for employees based in Japan.

1) Statutory benefits (required)

Employers in Japan are generally required to enroll eligible employees in the following social insurance and labor insurance programs (as applicable based on working hours, contract type, and other eligibility rules):

• Health Insurance (Kenko Hoken): Covers medical care with standard employee co-pay (typically 30%).
• Long-Term Care Insurance (Kaigo Hoken): Applies for eligible employees (generally age 40+), alongside health insurance.
• Pension Insurance (Kosei Nenkin): Public pension enrollment for eligible employees.
• Employment Insurance (Koyo Hoken): Provides unemployment and certain leave-related benefits.
• Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance (Rousai Hoken): Covers work-related injury/illness.

Note: Specific enrollment obligations depend on employee eligibility and the employing entity’s setup. Toku will guide enrollment and ongoing administration.

2) Annual statutory health checkup (required)

Under Japan’s Industrial Safety and Health Law, employers must provide and cover the cost of an annual health check-up for employees.

What it typically includes

• General exam (height/weight/BMI/abdominal girth, vision/hearing, blood pressure, brief physician interview)
• Urinalysis
• Chest X-ray
• ECG
• Blood test Clinic & cost

Toku partners with Tokyo Midtown Clinic. The minimum cost of the statutory annual check-up at this clinic is JPY 13,750, and this will be added to the invoice for Japan-based team members. Any cost that exceeds the client-approved coverage range will be charged to the employee.

We have made this seamless for you: employees do not need to pay the checkup fee themselves, as Toku settles payment directly with the clinic.

A bilingual service is available, with the result report provided in English at Tokyo Midtown Clinic.

The result report can be issued in either Japanese or English. An additional charge applies if you request the report in both languages.

Tokyo Midtown Clinic Website: https://www.tokyomidtown-mc.jp/en/health/ Online Booking Page: https://www.tokyomidtown-mc.jp/en/inquery/d02/ TEL: +81-3-5413-0081 (available in both Japanese and English) *Please mention you are an employee of WorkCo Solutions KK, and the name of statutory checkup package (Houtei-Kenshin:法定健診) @13,750 JPY

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Important Notes

• Contact [email protected] if you prefer to visit another clinic. We’ll coordinate it with the client and employee on an ad-hoc basis.
• Remember to bring your health insurance card when you visit the clinic for your checkup.
• If the fee exceeds the coverage amount, you must pay the difference at the clinic.
• When making your reservation, please book under the entity listed in your employment agreement.

3) Optional add-on: Remote Health (SafetyWing)

Some clients choose to offer an additional, optional coverage layer for Japan-based employees: Remote Health by SafetyWing (availability and suitability may vary by client).

Details: Toku: Remote Health - Your Global Insurance Plan

At a glance

• Japan’s national health insurance typically covers ~70% of eligible medical costs; this plan can help cover the remaining ~30% out-of-pocket.
• Access to English-speaking care, specialist consultations, and emergency/evacuation coverage when traveling.
• 100% employer-funded (no cost to employees).
• Completely optional (employees may opt in or decline). Client decision prompt

Would you like to offer Remote Health to your Japan team? We can share pricing and coverage details upon request.

For any questions, please contact [email protected].