JET Programme participants are enrolled in national insurance (health insurance, pension insurance and employment insurance), as well as private accident insurance.
Furthermore, as working residents of Japan, participants are liable for Japanese taxes.
This page contains easy to understand information and reference materials on insurance systems and how to enroll, as well as basic information on taxes.
Insurance
All JET Programme participants are covered with four types of insurance. Three of these are compulsory insurances set by the Japanese government. The fourth type is a special private policy for JET Programme participants.
Public insurances, compulsory according to the Japanese Law
- One of: Mutual Aid Association of Prefectural Government Personnel/Japan Mutual Aid Association of Public School Teachers/Private School Mutual Aid (Equivalent to Health Insurance)
- Pension Insurance
- Employment Insurance
- JET Programme Accident Insurance
Private Insurance (for JET Programme participants only)
CLAIR strongly recommends that you thoroughly read the insurance policy information available and that you maintain health insurance in your home country, as these insurances may not cover you fully in all situations.
Public Insurances
- Mutual Aid Association of Prefectural Government Personnel/Japan Mutual Aid Association of Public School Teachers/Private School Mutual Aid (Equivalent to Health Insurance)
Mutual aid membership cards should be carried at all times. Coverage may be refused for individuals not carrying their card. For illness and injuries, members and dependents of members will receive coverage of: 70% of medical expenses for those between the start compulsory education and 69 years old, 80% for children below the age of compulsory education, and 80% for those between 70 and 74 years old (70% for those with income comparable to current workforce). Medical care benefits include medical examination, provision of medicines or medical care supplies, emergency treatment, surgery and other medical treatment, in-home medical care, hospitalisation and nursing. The beneficiary of this insurance is thus covered in case of illness or injury, death or birth.
Note: The above information is collated from the Mutual Aid Association of Prefectural Government Personnel website. Benefits may vary by mutual aid association, so please ask your contracting organization for the most up-to-date details. - Pension Insurance
Enrollment in this policy is a legal requirement. It will provide for JET Programme participants or the family of JET Programme participants in the event that they are seriously injured or die during the period when payments are being made into the policy. After leaving Japan, participants are entitled to apply for a partial refund of the money they paid into the pension insurance. - Employment Insurance
JET Programme participants working in Japan must enter the employment insurance scheme, regardless of nationality. It is possible for people who have joined this insurance policy and who fulfill the necessary requirements to receive unemployment benefits.
JET Programme Accident Insurance
For more information about the JET Program Accident Insurance, please refer to the pages below.
Taxes
JET Programme participants live and work in Japan, and because they are working residents, they are liable for Japanese taxes. The specific liabilities for each JET participant will depend upon his/her Status of Residence and nationality. For more information, please refer to Section 2.4 “Taxes” in the General Information Handbook, available via the link below.
CLAIR does not specialise in tax matters. CLAIR takes no responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained herein, nor accepts responsibility for any financial loss incurred or any legal action taken against anyone (whether or not they are associated with the JET Programme) as a result of aforementioned information.
General Information Handbook
The General Information Handbook (GIH) is a resource full of useful information for JET Programme participants. We share the GIH with all new JETs and ask that they read through it before coming to Japan, as well as refer to it throughout their time on the programme.
*CLAIR forbids the unauthorised reproduction (copying, uploading, displaying, etc.) of any of the contents displayed on this website for commercial purposes. In addition, CLAIR requests that you refrain from any unauthorised use of the contents on this website outside the scope designated by copyright law.