Insurance

Japan’s national health insurance is good — but it doesn’t cover everything, and for foreigners with specific needs, the gaps matter. Private health insurance can fill those gaps, but the options vary enormously in coverage and value. Here’s how to evaluate what you actually need. Do You Actually Need Private Health Insurance? Let’s be real: national health insurance already covers 70% of most medical costs. For a lot of people, that’s enough. ...

Car insurance in Japan is mandatory — and the system works differently than in most countries. Without the right coverage, a single accident can be financially devastating. Here’s everything you need to know before you get behind the wheel. Japan’s Two-Layer Car Insurance System Layer 1: Compulsory Automobile Liability Insurance (自動車損害賠償責任保険 / 自賠責) This is mandatory — you cannot legally drive in Japan without it. Every registered vehicle must have 自賠責 (Jibaiseki) insurance. ...

Driving in Japan requires two types of car insurance. One is legally mandatory. One is optional but something you’d be foolish to skip. Here’s exactly what you need, what it costs, and how foreigners navigate the system. Two Types of Car Insurance in Japan 1. Jibaiseki Hoken (自賠責保険) — Mandatory Insurance Also called shakken insurance, this is legally required for every vehicle on Japanese roads. It covers bodily injury to third parties only — meaning if you injure someone in an accident, this pays for their medical bills. ...

Standard apartment insurance in Japan does not cover earthquake damage — that requires a separate earthquake insurance policy. Given Japan’s seismic activity, this is not a gap worth leaving open. Here’s how earthquake insurance works and whether you need it. What Standard Renter’s Insurance Doesn’t Cover When foreigners in Japan sign apartment leases, they typically purchase 火災保険 (fire insurance) — often required by the landlord. Standard 火災保険 covers: Fire Water damage (from above-floor leaks) Theft Some accidental damage Standard 火災保険 does NOT cover: ...

Finding a good dentist in Japan as a foreigner is easier than it sounds — but it does require knowing what to look for. English-speaking dentists exist in most major cities, and national health insurance covers more than most people realize. Here’s how to get good dental care in Japan. Is Dental Covered by Japanese Health Insurance? Yes — partially. Japan’s national health insurance (国民健康保険) and employee health insurance (健康保険) both cover dental treatments: ...

Renters insurance in Japan is cheap, often required by landlords, and covers more than most tenants realize. Skipping it is a false economy. Here’s what renters insurance covers in Japan and how to get the right policy. Why Is Insurance Required? Japanese landlords require tenants to hold fire insurance to cover: Damage to the apartment caused by fire, water leaks, and accidents Liability if your fire or water leak damages a neighbor’s property Without insurance, you personally bear the full cost of these damages — which can reach millions of yen. ...

You go to the clinic for the first time, hand over your insurance card, get treated, and then pay ¥1,500 at the end — and you’re genuinely surprised it was that cheap. That’s how Japan’s health insurance is supposed to work. The problem is that most foreigners arrive not knowing they’re already enrolled, not knowing what it covers, and not knowing what happens if they miss enrollment. Here’s how the system actually works — so you’re not the person who finds out at the worst possible moment. ...

Life insurance in Japan is widely available, competitively priced, and accessible to foreign residents — but the range of products is bewildering. Understanding what you actually need simplifies the decision significantly. Here’s a practical guide to life insurance in Japan for foreigners. Do You Need Life Insurance in Japan? Ask yourself: Do you have dependents (spouse, children) who rely on your income? → Life insurance is worth considering Are you single with no dependents? → May not need it yet Do you have significant debt (mortgage, business loans)? → Life insurance helps protect against that Is your employer’s death-in-service benefit adequate? → Check your contract Japan’s social safety net provides a widow/widower pension and child allowances — but these are usually insufficient to replace a full income. ...

Having a baby in Japan as a foreigner is entirely manageable — but the system has its own structure, paperwork, and expectations that differ significantly from Western healthcare. Getting familiar with the process early reduces stress enormously. Here’s what to expect from pregnancy through childbirth in Japan. As Soon as You Confirm Pregnancy 1. Get Your 母子手帳 (Mother and Child Health Handbook) This is the most important document in Japanese pregnancy. Go to your city hall (市役所) as soon as your pregnancy is confirmed by a doctor. ...

Japan’s national health insurance covers you domestically — but the moment you leave the country, you’re uninsured unless you have separate travel coverage. For residents who travel regularly, the right travel insurance policy matters. Here’s how to choose one. What Japan’s NHI Covers Abroad Japan’s National Health Insurance does have an overseas claims system (海外療養費) — but it’s limited: You pay upfront for all overseas treatment You then claim a reimbursement back from your Japanese municipality Reimbursement is calculated at Japanese standard rates, not the actual overseas cost You receive roughly 70% of the Japanese equivalent cost — which is often a fraction of what you actually paid Example: A US hospital visit that costs $5,000 might be reimbursed at the equivalent of ¥30,000–50,000 (a few hundred dollars). The gap is entirely your responsibility. ...