Employment Insurance (Koyou Hoken): Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how students working over 20 hours a week can access financial protection through Japan's Employment Insurance scheme.
Employment Insurance (Koyou Hoken) is a social security system designed to provide financial protection to workers if their employment contract is terminated.
Who it's for
This scheme is specifically available to students who work more than 20 hours per week. While many part-time workers might assume they are not covered by national insurance systems, working over this specific weekly threshold qualifies you for this protection.
What you get
The primary benefit of this scheme is protection in the event that your employer terminates your contract. If you find yourself without work due to the end of a contract or other termination by the employer, this insurance is designed to provide support to help you manage your finances during that period of unemployment.
What it costs you
To maintain this protection, there is a small deduction taken directly from your paycheck. This amount is deducted from your earnings to fund the insurance system, ensuring you have coverage if your employment situation changes unexpectedly.
The catch to know
The most common issue is that many students do not realize they are paying into this system. Because the deductions are often small and taken automatically from your wages, it is easy to overlook them. It is important to stay aware of your pay stubs to ensure that you are indeed contributing and covered.
How to apply
- Monitor your weekly schedule to ensure you are consistently working over 20 hours per week.
- Review your monthly pay slips to confirm that the insurance deductions are being made from your earnings.
- If your employer terminates your contract, contact your employer or your local labor office to start the process for receiving benefits.