よくある質問 — Frequently Asked Questions

Japan's unemployment insurance system has many nuances that confuse even longtime residents. Below are answers to the most commonly asked questions, including tricky edge cases around part-time work, re-employment, and special circumstances.

Q1. アルバイトをしながら失業保険をもらえますか？ — Can I work part-time while receiving benefits?

Yes, but with important rules. You can earn income from part-time work during your benefit period, but you must declare all work and earnings on your 失業認定申告書 at each certification appointment. The rules are:

  • If you work less than 4 hours on a given day, that day's benefit is reduced (but not eliminated) based on your earnings.
  • If you work 4 hours or more on a given day, that day is treated as a "working day" and you receive no benefit for it — but your total benefit days are not reduced (the day is simply deferred).
  • Earning too much (above a threshold tied to your daily wage) may result in full suspension of that day's benefit.

The key rule: always report all work and income honestly. Failing to do so constitutes fraud and can result in repayment of benefits plus a penalty.

Q2. 失業保険に税金はかかりますか？ — Are unemployment benefits taxable?

No. Unemployment benefits (基本手当) in Japan are not subject to income tax. They also do not affect your tax filing in the same way as employment income. However, they may affect income-based calculations for National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) premiums in some municipalities, so check with your local ward office.

Q3. 国民健康保険と国民年金はどうなる？ — What happens to health insurance and pension while unemployed?

When you leave employer-based social insurance, you have options for health insurance:

  • 国民健康保険 (Kokumin Kenkō Hoken) — Enroll at your local ward/city office within 14 days of leaving your job. Premiums are income-based and can be reduced if your income dropped significantly (減額申請).
  • 任意継続 (Voluntary Continuation) — You can continue your previous employer's health insurance for up to 2 years by paying the full premium (both employee and employer share) yourself. Compare costs with NHI.
  • Family coverage — If your spouse or parent is enrolled in employer insurance, you may be able to join as a dependent (扶養) if your expected annual income is below a threshold.

For pension, you'll switch to 国民年金 (Kokumin Nenkin). If you're receiving unemployment benefits, you may qualify for 免除 (exemption) or 猶予 (deferral) of pension premiums — apply at your local ward office.

Q4. 失業保険の受給中に引っ越したらどうなる？ — What if I move while receiving benefits?

You must transfer your Hello Work registration to the office covering your new address. Notify Hello Work in advance, and they will issue a transfer document. Do not simply stop attending your old office — you risk losing your certification and payments.

Q5. 受給期間中に病気やケガをしたら？ — What if I get sick or injured during the benefit period?

If you become unable to work for 15 days or more due to illness or injury, you may be able to file for 傷病手当 (Shōbyō Teate) — an illness/injury allowance under the unemployment insurance system (not to be confused with the similar-sounding health insurance benefit). This pauses your regular benefit days and provides payment during your recovery period. Report the situation to Hello Work as soon as possible.

Q6. 再就職手当とは？どうすればもらえる？ — What is the re-employment allowance and how do I get it?

The 再就職手当 (Saishūshoku Teate) is a lump-sum bonus paid when you find stable employment before exhausting all your benefit days. To qualify:

  • You must have more than 1/3 of your total benefit days remaining when you start the new job
  • The new position must be full-time (or part-time with 20+ hours/week expected to last over 1 year)
  • You cannot be reemployed by a former employer within 3 years
  • Apply within 1 month of starting the new job at Hello Work

The payout is 60–70% of your remaining benefits. This is a significant incentive — worth applying for if you find work quickly.

Q7. 外国人でも失業保険はもらえますか？ — Can foreigners living in Japan receive unemployment benefits?

Yes. Foreign residents in Japan who are enrolled in employment insurance through their employer are entitled to the same unemployment benefits as Japanese nationals. The system is based on employment insurance enrollment, not citizenship. You must have valid permission to work and reside in Japan, and the same documentation applies.

Q8. 失業保険の受給期間はいつから始まる？ — When does the benefit period officially start?

The 受給期間 (benefit period) — the window within which you can receive your allotted benefit days — begins on the day after your official separation date and lasts for 1 year. This is distinct from your total benefit days. If you don't use all your benefit days within this 1-year window (e.g., you were slow to apply), unused days are forfeited. Apply promptly.