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<h1>Social Security Programs Throughout the World: Asia and the Pacific, 2014</h1>
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<h1>Japan</h1>
<div class="exchangeRate">Exchange rate: <abbr class="spell">US</abbr>$1.00&nbsp;= 101.88&nbsp;yen.</div>
<h2>Old Age, Disability, and Survivors</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1941 (employees' pension insurance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current laws:</span> 1954 (employees' pension insurance) and 1959 (national pension).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<p>Note: The social insurance system consists of a <span class="nobr">flat-rate</span> benefit under the national pension program (<abbr class="spell">NP</abbr>) and an earnings-related benefit under the employees' pension insurance program (<abbr class="spell">EPI</abbr>). Employers with more than 1,000 employees may contract out a portion of the <abbr class="spell">EPI</abbr> if they provide more generous benefits.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">National pension program:</span> Residents aged&nbsp;20 to 59; voluntary coverage for residents aged&nbsp;60 to 64 and for Japanese citizens residing abroad (aged&nbsp;20 to 64; to age&nbsp;69 in special cases).</p>
<p>Self-employed persons&nbsp;who run an unincorporated business with up to four workers.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employees' pension insurance:</span> Employees younger than age&nbsp;70 in covered firms in industry and commerce.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Most self-employed persons.</p>
<p>Special system for civil servants.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> No direct contributions to the national pension program; contributions from the employees' pension insurance or other employment-related program are transferred to the national pension program. The total amount transferred is based on the number of the insured persons under each program.</p>
<p>The employees' pension insurance or other employment-related programs pay contributions for low-income insured persons and dependent spouses of insured persons.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> 8.737% (September&nbsp;2014 to August&nbsp;2015, gradually rising to 9.150% by September&nbsp;2017) of monthly wage class earnings, according to 30 wage classes; miners and seamen contribute 8.844% (September&nbsp;2014 to August&nbsp;2015, gradually rising to 9.150% by September&nbsp;2017) of monthly earnings.</p>
<p>The contributions of insured persons whose employers contract out a portion of the employees' pension insurance are reduced by 1.2% to 2.5% of monthly earnings.</p>
<p>The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 98,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 620,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The minimum and maximum earnings levels are adjusted on an ad&nbsp;hoc basis according to the increase in the national average wage.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> 15,250&nbsp;yen a month (April&nbsp;2014 to March&nbsp;2015, gradually rising to 16,900&nbsp;yen a month by September&nbsp;2017).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> Generally not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> Contributions from the employees' pension insurance or other employment-related program are transferred to the national pension program (see Insured Person).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> 8.737% (September&nbsp;2014 to August&nbsp;2015, gradually rising to 9.150% by September&nbsp;2017) of monthly payroll, according to 30 wage classes; contributions for miners and seamen, 8.844% (September&nbsp;2014 to August&nbsp;2015, gradually rising to 9.150% by September&nbsp;2017) of payroll.</p>
<p>The contributions of employers who contract out a portion of the employees' pension insurance are reduced by 1.2% to 2.5% of monthly earnings.</p>
<p>The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 98,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 620,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The minimum and maximum earnings levels are adjusted on an ad&nbsp;hoc basis according to the increase in the national average wage.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> 50% of the cost of benefits and 100% of administrative costs are financed by the national tax system.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> The total cost of administration is financed by the national tax system.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> Age&nbsp;65 with at least 25&nbsp;years of contributions (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods). The full pension is paid with 40&nbsp;years of paid contributions. The coverage period includes years of coverage under the employees' pension insurance and other employment-related programs as an insured's dependent spouse (including common-law spouse).</p>
<p>Retirement is not necessary. There is no earnings test.</p>
<p>Early pension: Aged&nbsp;60 to 64 with at least 25&nbsp;years of contributions.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: Age&nbsp;66 with at least 25&nbsp;years of contributions. The pension may be deferred until age&nbsp;70.</p>
<p>Spousal supplement: If the insured receives a supplement for a spouse under the employees' pension insurance, the spouse will receive a supplement when he or she reaches age&nbsp;65 and starts to receive the <span class="nobr">old-age</span> national pension.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> Age&nbsp;60 (gradually rising to age&nbsp;65 by 2025 (men) and 2030 (women)) or age&nbsp;59 (seamen and miners) with at least 25&nbsp;years of coverage (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods). The insured may continue working beyond the normal retirement age.</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: Paid for a dependent spouse younger than age&nbsp;65. The supplement ceases when the spouse reaches age&nbsp;65 and receives a pension in his or her own right under the national pension program. Paid for children up to the end of the fiscal year in which they reach age&nbsp;18 (up to the month they reach age&nbsp;20 if disabled).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> Must be assessed with a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="one">I</abbr> (total disability and requires constant attendance) or a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="two">II</abbr> (severely restricted ability to live independently) disability. Must have been insured at the first medical exam and have paid contributions during 66.7% of the period from age&nbsp;20 to two months before the month of the first medical exam (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods). Alternatively, must have paid continuous contributions for one year from age&nbsp;20 to two months before the month of the first medical exam (until March&nbsp;2026).</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: Paid for children up to the end of the fiscal year in which they reach age&nbsp;18 (up to the month they reach age&nbsp;20 if disabled).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> Must be assessed with a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="one">I</abbr> (total disability and requires constant attendance), Group&nbsp;<abbr title="two">II</abbr> (severely restricted ability to live independently), or Group&nbsp;<abbr title="three">III</abbr> (severely restricted ability to work) disability. Must have been insured at the first medical exam and have paid contributions during 66.7% of the period from age&nbsp;20 to two months before the month of the first medical exam (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods).</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: Paid to persons with a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="one">I</abbr> or <abbr title="two">II</abbr> disability for a dependent spouse younger than age&nbsp;65. The supplement ceases when the spouse reaches age&nbsp;65 and receives a pension in his or her own right under the national pension program.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Disability grant (employees' pension insurance):</span> Paid for a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="one">I</abbr> or Group&nbsp;<abbr title="two">II</abbr> disability. Must have paid contributions during 66.7% of the period from age&nbsp;20 to two months before the month of the first medical exam (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> The deceased was an <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pensioner; was an insured person or a resident of Japan aged&nbsp;60 to 64 with paid contributions during 66.7% of the period from age&nbsp;20 to two months before the month of the death (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods); or, if younger than age&nbsp;65, has paid continuous contributions for one year before the two-month period before the month of the death.</p>
<p>Eligible survivors include a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> living with and caring for the deceased's children up to the end of the fiscal year that the child reaches age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;19 if disabled), and the deceased's children up to the end of the fiscal year that they reach age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;19 if disabled).</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: Paid for children up to the end of the fiscal year in which they reach age&nbsp;18 (up to the month they reach age&nbsp;20 if disabled).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Childless widow's pension (national pension program):</span> Paid to a childless, dependent widow aged&nbsp;60 to 64 and married to the deceased for at least 10&nbsp;years. The deceased was not an <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pensioner at the time of death and had at least 25&nbsp;years of contributions (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Death grant (national pension program):</span> The deceased was not an <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability pensioner at the time of death and had at least three years of contributions (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods).</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> The deceased received or was entitled to receive an <span class="nobr">old-age</span> or disability (Group&nbsp;<abbr title="one">I</abbr> or <abbr title="two">II</abbr>) pension; or had paid contributions during 66.7% of the period from age&nbsp;20 to two months before the month of the death (including any periods exempt from contribution requirements such as low-income periods).</p>
<p>Eligible survivors include a widow, a widower aged&nbsp;55 or older at the time of the insured's death (from age&nbsp;60 if he or she does not receive a pension in his or her own right under the national program), children or grandchildren up to the end of the fiscal year in which the child reaches age&nbsp;18 (age&nbsp;19 if disabled), and parents or grandparents older than age&nbsp;55 at the time of the insured's death (benefits are paid from age&nbsp;60), if they were financially dependent on the deceased at the time of death. The pension is paid to the first eligible survivor in the following order of priority: spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, and grandparents.</p>
<p>Widow's supplement (employee's pension insurance): An additional benefit may be paid to a childless widow aged&nbsp;40 to 64 if she was aged&nbsp;40 or older at the time of the insured's death.</p>
<h3>Old-Age Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Old-age pension</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> The full pension is 772,800&nbsp;yen a year. A reduced pension is paid according to the number of contributions paid and credited. The pension is paid every two months.</p>
<p>Early pension: For those born on or after April&nbsp;2, 1941, the reduction is 0.5% multiplied by the number of months between application and one month before age&nbsp;65. For older cohorts, the pension is reduced by 42% to 11%, depending on the age at which the pension is awarded.</p>
<p>Deferred pension: For those born on or after April&nbsp;2, 1941, the increase is 0.7% multiplied by the number of months between application and one month before age&nbsp;65. For older cohorts, the pension paid at age&nbsp;65 is increased by 12% to 88%, depending on the age at which the pension is awarded.</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: Paid directly to a qualifying spouse aged&nbsp;65 or older and ranges from 14,900&nbsp;yen to 222,400&nbsp;yen a year, depending on the spouse's age.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living and wages.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> The pension is based on the insured's average monthly wage over the full career multiplied by a coefficient determined by the insured's date of birth multiplied by the number of months of coverage. The pension is paid every two months. The pension is reduced if the pension and salary combined exceed a certain limit. The reduction is greater for those aged&nbsp;60 to 64 than for those aged&nbsp;65 to 69.</p>
<p>Pensioners aged&nbsp;60 to 64 receive an additional 1,676&nbsp;yen a month for each month of total coverage.</p>
<p>Working pensioner (aged&nbsp;60 to 64): The full pension is paid for continued employment from age&nbsp;60 to 64 if the combined total of monthly earnings and pension is no greater than 280,000&nbsp;yen; if the combined monthly total is 280,000&nbsp;yen to 460,000&nbsp;yen, the pension is reduced by 50% of the amount exceeding 280,000&nbsp;yen; if monthly earnings exceed 460,000&nbsp;yen a month, the pension is further reduced.</p>
<p>Working pensioner (aged&nbsp;65 to 69): If the combined monthly earnings and pension exceed 460,000&nbsp;yen, the pension is reduced by 50% of the amount exceeding 280,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: 222,400&nbsp;yen a year is paid for a spouse; 222,400&nbsp;yen a year for each of the first two children and 74,100&nbsp;yen a year for each subsequent child.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living and wages.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Disability pension</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> 966,000&nbsp;yen a year is paid for a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="one">I</abbr> disability; 772,800&nbsp;yen a year for a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="two">II</abbr> disability.</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: 222,400&nbsp;yen a year is paid for each of the first two children and 74,100&nbsp;yen a year for each subsequent child.</p>
<p>Benefits are paid every two months.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living and wages.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> 125% of the <span class="nobr">old-age</span> employees' pension plus additional benefits for dependents the insured received or was entitled to receive is paid for a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="one">I</abbr> disability; 100% (plus additional benefits for dependents) for a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="two">II</abbr> disability; or 100% for a Group&nbsp;<abbr title="three">III</abbr> disability. For persons with less than 300&nbsp;months of coverage, the pension is calculated based on a contribution period of 300&nbsp;months.</p>
<p>The minimum benefit is 579,700&nbsp;yen a year.</p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: 222,400&nbsp;yen a year is paid for a spouse.</p>
<p>Benefits are paid every two months.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Disability grant:</span> A lump sum of 200% of the <span class="nobr">old-age</span> employees' pension the insured received or was entitled to receive is paid. The minimum lump sum is 1,153,800&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living and wages.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National pension program:</span> 772,800&nbsp;yen a year is paid to a <span class="nobr">widow(er).</span></p>
<p>Dependent's supplement: 222,400&nbsp;yen a year is paid for each of the first two children and 74,100&nbsp;yen a year for each subsequent child.</p>
<p>Full orphan's pension: The benefit is the same as for a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> plus dependent supplements and is split equally among all eligible full orphans.</p>
<p>Childless widow's pension: 75% of the <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension the deceased received or was entitled to receive is paid.</p>
<p>Benefits are paid every two months.</p>
<p>Death grant: A lump sum of 120,000&nbsp;yen to 320,000&nbsp;yen is paid according to the number of paid contributions from three to 35&nbsp;years.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living and wages.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' pension insurance:</span> 75% of the <span class="nobr">old-age</span> pension is paid to the first eligible survivor.</p>
<p>Widow's supplement: 579,700&nbsp;yen a year is paid.</p>
<p>Benefits are paid every two months.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in the cost of living.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Pension Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (<a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/index.html">http://www.mhlw.go.jp</a>) supervises both the national and employees' pension programs.</p>
<p>Japan Pension Service (<a href="https://www.nenkin.go.jp/">http://www.nenkin.go.jp</a>), managed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, administers both programs nationally.</p>
<p>Japan Pension Service collects contributions, provides consultation services, and pays benefits for both programs through their branch offices.</p>
<h2>Sickness and Maternity</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current laws:</span> 1922 (employees' health insurance), implemented in 1927; 1938 (national health insurance); and 1982 (medical system for the elderly), implemented in 1983.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p><span class="h4">National health insurance:</span> All persons up to age&nbsp;75 residing in Japan and not covered under the employees' health insurance program.</p>
<p>Special national health insurance societies provide coverage for certain occupations.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Disabled persons aged&nbsp;65 to 74 are covered under the health and medical care program for older people.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employees' health insurance</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Society-managed health insurance:</span> Members of an occupational health insurance society.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Association-managed health insurance:</span> Employees of firms in industry and commerce with five or more employees who are not members of an occupational health insurance society.</p>
<p>Voluntary coverage for employees in private-sector workplaces with fewer than five workers and for agricultural, forestry, or fishery workers.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Self-employed persons.</p>
<p>Special systems for seamen, private-school employees, and local and national government employees.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Health and medical care program for older people:</span> Persons aged&nbsp;75 or older.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National health insurance:</span> Varies according to the insurer. (The average annual contribution in 2012 was 84,265&nbsp;yen for each insured person, or 143,362&nbsp;yen for each household.)</p>
<p>The maximum contribution is 670,000&nbsp;yen a year for each household.</p>
<p>Contributions may be reduced for low-income persons.</p>
<p>The contributions (insured person, self-employed person, and employer) to the national health insurance program also finance about 40% of the cost (excluding the insured's copayment) of medical care provided under the health and medical care program for older people.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' health insurance:</span> 5% of monthly earnings, according to 47 wage classes (association-managed program). The annual average contribution in 2014 is 3.98% of monthly earnings, according to 47 wage classes (society-managed program).</p>
<p>The minimum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 58,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,210,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The minimum and maximum earnings levels are adjusted according to any increase in the national average wage.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National health insurance:</span> Varies according to the insurer. (The average annual contribution in 2012 was 84,265&nbsp;yen for each insured person, or 143,362&nbsp;yen for each household.)</p>
<p>The maximum contribution is 670,000&nbsp;yen a year for each household.</p>
<p>Contributions may be reduced for low-income persons.</p>
<p>The contributions (insured person, self-employed person, and employer) to the national health insurance program also finance about 40% of the cost (excluding the insured's copayment) of medical care provided under the health and medical care program for older people.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' health insurance:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National health insurance:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' health insurance:</span> 5% of monthly payroll, according to 47 wage classes (association-managed program). The annual average contribution in 2014 is 4.76% of monthly payroll, according to 47 wage classes (society-managed program).</p>
<p>The minimum monthly basic earnings used to calculate contributions are 58,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The maximum monthly basic earnings used to calculate contributions are 1,210,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The minimum and maximum earnings levels are adjusted according to any increase in the national average wage.</p>
<p>The contributions (insured person, self-employed person, and employer) to the national health insurance program also finance about 40% of the cost (excluding the insured's copayment) of medical care provided under the health and medical care program for older people.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">National health insurance:</span> 50% (41% from the national government and 9% from the prefecture) of the cost of medical care.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Employees' health insurance:</span> 16.4% of benefit costs, 16.4% of the cost of health care for older people, the total cost of administration for the association-managed program, and part of the cost of administration for the society-managed program.</p>
<p>Also, about 50% of the cost (excluding the insured's copayment) of medical care provided under the health and medical care program for older people.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">National health insurance and health and medical care&nbsp;program for older people:</span> A resident of Japan.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employees' health insurance:</span> Must be in covered employment. If an insured person leaves employment but was in covered employment during the previous two months, the insured may be covered on a voluntary basis for up to two years.</p>
<p>Eligible dependents include spouses, parents, grandparents, younger siblings, children, and grandchildren whether or not residing with the insured person; and fathers- and mothers-in-law, uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, and older siblings if they reside with the insured.</p>
<h3>Sickness and Maternity Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">National health insurance:</span> Each insurer provides maternity and child care allowances and funeral grants, according to the municipality.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employees' health insurance</span></p>
<p><span class="h5">Sickness and injury allowance:</span> 66.67% of the average daily basic wage is paid according to wage class. The benefit is paid after a three-day waiting period for up to 18&nbsp;months. Health insurance societies may provide more generous benefits. If the insured receives wages, benefits are suspended or partially reduced.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Maternity allowance:</span> 66.67% of the average daily basic wage is paid, according to wage class, for 42&nbsp;days before (98&nbsp;days for expected multiple births) and 56&nbsp;days after the expected date of childbirth. If the insured receives wages, benefits are suspended or partially reduced.</p>
<p><span class="h5">Child care allowance:</span> A lump sum of 420,000&nbsp;yen is paid to an insured person or the dependent of an insured person.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Funeral grant:</span> A lump sum of 50,000&nbsp;yen is paid to a dependent who pays for the funeral. If there is no dependent, the actual cost is paid to the person who pays for the funeral, up to 50,000&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Health and medical care&nbsp;program for older people:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">National health insurance and health and medical care program for older people:</span> Clinics, hospitals, and pharmacists under contract with and paid by the insurer usually provide medical care and treatment (some insurers provide services directly through their own clinics and hospitals). Benefits include medical treatment, surgery, hospitalization, nursing care, dental care, maternity care (only for a difficult childbirth), and medicine.</p>
<p>There is no limit to duration.</p>
<p>Cost sharing: The amount depends on the person's age: 20% of the cost for preschool children; 30% of the cost for persons up to age&nbsp;69; 20% or 30% of the cost (depending on income) for persons aged&nbsp;<span class="nobr">70&nbsp;74;</span> and 10% or 30% of the cost (depending on income).</p>
<p>Hospitalized persons also pay a daily fee toward the cost of nonmedical expenses, depending on family income.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employees' health insurance:</span> Benefits include medical treatment, surgery, hospitalization, nursing care, dental care, maternity care (only for a difficult childbirth), and medicine.</p>
<p>There is no limit to duration.</p>
<p>Cost sharing: The amount depends on the person's age: 20% of the cost for preschool children; 30% of the cost for persons up to age&nbsp;69; 20% or 30% of the cost (depending on income) for persons aged&nbsp;<span class="nobr">70&nbsp;74;</span> 10% or 30% of the cost (depending on income) for persons aged&nbsp;75 or older.</p>
<p>Hospitalized persons also pay a daily fee toward the cost of nonmedical expenses, depending on family income.</p>
<h3>Dependents' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">National health insurance and health and medical care program for older people:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employees' health insurance:</span> Medical benefits for dependents are the same as those for the insured.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Health Insurance Bureau of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (<a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/index.html">http://www.mhlw.go.jp</a>) oversees the National Health Insurance and Employee's Health Insurance programs.</p>
<p>Regional Bureaus of Health and Welfare and prefectures supervise the programs locally.</p>
<p><span class="h4">National health insurance:</span> Municipalities administer the program.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employees' health insurance:</span> Japan Health Insurance Association (<a href="https://www.kyoukaikenpo.or.jp">http://www.kyoukaikenpo.or.jp</a>) administers the association-managed program nationally and 1,447 health insurance societies administer the society-managed program nationwide.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Health and medical care program for older people:</span> Municipalities administer the program.</p>
<h2>Work Injury</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1911.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1947 (workmen's accident compensation insurance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employees.</p>
<p>Voluntary coverage for employees in agricultural, forestry, and fishery establishments with fewer than five workers.</p>
<p>Some self-employed persons and entrepreneurs (such as business owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises) are covered.</p>
<p>Special systems for civil servants.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> 0.25% to 8.9% of declared earnings.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 0.25% to 8.9% of payroll, according to a three-year accident rate.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> Provides subsidies as needed.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Work injury benefits:</span> There is no minimum qualifying period.</p>
<h3>Temporary Disability Benefits</h3>
<p>60% of the basic daily benefit plus a temporary disability special supplement of 20% of the basic daily benefit is paid after a three-day waiting period until recovery (the employer pays 60% of the average daily wage for the first three days).</p>
<p>The basic daily benefit is calculated based on the last three months of wages before the injury occurred or disease began.</p>
<p>The minimum daily benefit is 3,930&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The maximum daily benefit is 13,037&nbsp;yen to 25,371&nbsp;yen, depending on the insured's age.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted quarterly for wage changes greater than 10% from the previous quarter.</p>
<p>From the 19th month of disability, persons with less severe disabilities (Grades&nbsp;1 to 8) continue to receive the same level of benefit until recovery.</p>
<p>Injury and diseases pension: Paid from the 19th month of disability to persons with more severe disabilities (Grades&nbsp;1 to 7). The annual benefit is 100% of the basic daily benefits multiplied by 245 to 313&nbsp;days until recovery, according to the degree of disability, plus a special supplement based on the worker's annual salary bonus.</p>
<p>Benefits are paid every two months.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually for changes in wages.</p>
<h3>Permanent Disability Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Permanent disability pension:</span> The pension varies according to the assessed degree of disability.</p>
<p>An annual pension of 131 to 313&nbsp;times the basic daily benefit before the disability began is paid to persons with more severe disabilities (Grades&nbsp;1 to 7).</p>
<p>A lump sum of 56 to 503&nbsp;times the basic daily benefit before the disability began is paid to persons with less severe disabilities (Grades&nbsp;8 to 14).</p>
<p>The basic daily benefit is calculated based on the last three months of wages before the injury occurred or disease began.</p>
<p>Constant attendance allowance (Grades&nbsp;1 and 2): Up to 104,290&nbsp;yen a month is paid if the insured requires the constant attendance of others to perform daily functions (56,600&nbsp;yen if family members provide care); up to 52,150&nbsp;yen a month if the insured requires <span class="nobr">part-time</span> care (28,300&nbsp;yen if family members provide care).</p>
<p>Benefits are paid monthly.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in wages.</p>
<h3>Workers' Medical Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Medical benefits:</span> Benefits include medical treatment, surgery, hospitalization, nursing, dental care, medicine, appliances, and transportation.</p>
<p>There is no limit to duration of benefits.</p>
<h3>Survivor Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Survivor pension:</span> An annual pension of the basic daily benefit multiplied by 153 to 245&nbsp;days is paid according to the number of survivors.</p>
<p>The basic daily benefit is calculated based on the deceased's wages in the last three months before the death.</p>
<p>Eligible survivors include a <span class="nobr">widow(er)</span> aged&nbsp;60 or older, children and grandchildren (up to the end of the fiscal year that the child reaches age&nbsp;18), parents and grandparents aged&nbsp;60 or older, and brothers and sisters (up to the end of the fiscal year that the child reaches age&nbsp;18; or aged&nbsp;60 or older) who were dependent on the deceased worker at the time of death.</p>
<p>Benefits are paid every two months.</p>
<p>Benefit adjustment: Benefits are automatically adjusted annually according to changes in wages.</p>
<p>If there are no eligible survivors, a lump sum of the insured's average daily wage in the three months before the insured's death multiplied by 1,000&nbsp;days is paid to a nondependent survivor.</p>
<p>Funeral grant: 60&nbsp;days of the deceased's average daily wage in the three months before death or 315,000&nbsp;yen plus 30&nbsp;days of wages, whichever is greater, is paid.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (<a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/index.html">http://www.mhlw.go.jp</a>) provides general supervision and administration.</p>
<p>Work Injury Compensation Department within the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Bureau of Labour Standards administers the program through prefectural Labour Bureaus and local Labour Standards Inspection Offices.</p>
<h2>Unemployment</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First law:</span> 1947.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Current law:</span> 1974 (employment insurance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Social insurance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Employees up to age&nbsp;65.</p>
<p>Voluntary coverage for employees in agricultural, forestry, and fishery establishments with fewer than five regular employees.</p>
<p>Exclusions: Workers with less than 20 scheduled working hours a week and self-employed persons.</p>
<p>Special systems for daily workers and seasonal workers.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> 0.5% of monthly earnings; 0.6% for agricultural, forestry, fishery, or sake brewing industry workers.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> Not applicable.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 0.85% of payroll; 0.95% for agricultural, forestry, fishery, or sake brewing industry workers; and 1.05% for construction workers.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> 13.8% of the cost of unemployment benefits and special allowances, 18.3% of the cost of benefits for daily workers, and 6.9% of the cost of benefits for insured persons on child care leave and for older workers.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefit:</span> Must have at least 12&nbsp;months of coverage during the last 24&nbsp;months before unemployment (in case of unemployment due to insolvency or dismissal, at least six months of insurance during the last 12&nbsp;months). Must be registered with the Public Employment Security Office and be capable of, and willing to, work. The unemployed person must report to the Public Employment Security Office once every four weeks. Unemployment must not be due to voluntary leaving, serious misconduct, refusal of a suitable job offer, or nonattendance at vocational training (otherwise, the benefit may be limited to one to three months).</p>
<p>Special daily or monthly allowances: Must have at least three years (one year if receiving the benefit for the first time) of coverage to receive education and training benefits and must take designated educational and training courses.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Older worker benefit:</span> Paid to workers aged&nbsp;60 to 64 with more than five years of coverage whose wage was reduced by 75% from the wage paid at age&nbsp;60.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Child care leave benefit:</span> Paid to insured persons who take child care leave to care for a newborn child up to age&nbsp;1; up to age&nbsp;18&nbsp;months under certain conditions.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Nursing care leave benefit:</span> Paid to insured persons who take leave to provide nursing care for family members.</p>
<h3>Unemployment Benefits</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Unemployment benefit:</span> 50% to 80% of the insured's average daily wage (higher percentages are awarded to lower-wage earners) in the six months before unemployment is paid; 45% to 80% if aged&nbsp;60 to 64. The benefit is paid after a seven-day waiting period for 90 to 330&nbsp;days, according to the length of coverage, age, and reasons for unemployment. The benefit may be extended for another 60&nbsp;days for insured persons who are unemployed due to insolvency or dismissal and are having difficulty finding a new job, taking into consideration age and regional circumstances (temporary measure until March&nbsp;31, 2017).</p>
<p>The minimum daily benefit is 1,848&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>The maximum daily benefit is 7,830&nbsp;yen.</p>
<p>Special daily or monthly allowances: Allowances are paid to cover the cost of vocational training, transportation for job search activities, moving, and lodging expenses while seeking employment in the wider area.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Older worker benefit:</span> Up to 15% of the wage after age&nbsp;60 is paid, depending on the percentage of wage reduction.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Child care leave benefit:</span> 67% of the insured's average daily wage in the six months before the leave period multiplied by 30 is paid for the first six months; thereafter, 50%.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Nursing care leave benefit:</span> 40% of the insured's wage before the leave period is paid.</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (<a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/index.html">http://www.mhlw.go.jp</a>) provides general supervision and management.</p>
<p>Employment Security Bureau in the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare administers the national program through the Employment Insurance Divisions of prefectural Labour Bureaus and Public Employment Security Offices.</p>
<h2>Family Allowances</h2>
<h3>Regulatory Framework</h3>
<p><span class="h4">First and current laws:</span> 1971 (child allowance), implemented in 1972, and 2010 (payment of child allowance).</p>
<p><span class="h4">Type of program:</span> Employer-liability and social assistance system.</p>
<h3>Coverage</h3>
<p>Persons raising or fostering one or more children younger than the age of graduation from junior high school.</p>
<h3>Source of Funds</h3>
<p><span class="h4">Insured person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Self-employed person:</span> None.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Employer:</span> 47% of the cost (about 0.15% of wages) for children up to age&nbsp;3.</p>
<p><span class="h4">Government:</span> For employees' children up to age&nbsp;3: the National Treasury pays 36% of the cost; the prefecture,&nbsp;9%; and municipalities,&nbsp;9%. For employees' children aged&nbsp;3 to 15 and the children of self-employed and unemployed persons: the National Treasury pays 67%; the prefecture,&nbsp;17%; and municipalities,&nbsp;17%.</p>
<h3>Qualifying Conditions</h3>
<p>Must meet an income test of 9.6&nbsp;million yen a year for parents with two children (June&nbsp;2012).</p>
<h3>Family Allowance Benefits</h3>
<p>15,000&nbsp;yen a month is paid for each child younger than age&nbsp;3; 10,000&nbsp;yen a month for each of the first two children aged&nbsp;3 up to graduation from elementary school (15,000&nbsp;yen a month for each subsequent child); and 10,000&nbsp;yen a month for each child in junior high school.</p>
<p>For persons who do not meet an income test, 5,000&nbsp;yen a month is paid for each child up to graduation from junior high school.</p>
<p>The sum of allowances for the previous four months is normally paid every four months (February, June and October).</p>
<h3>Administrative Organization</h3>
<p>Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (<a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/index.html">http://www.mhlw.go.jp</a>) supervises the program through its Equal Employment, Children, and Families Bureau.</p>
<p>Japan Pension Service Branch Offices collect contributions.</p>
<p>Municipalities pay allowances.</p>
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