do you need health insurance in Japan?
May 24, 2023 4:06 am
Konnichiwa from the Japan Switch Team!
If you've booked your ticket to Japan or are thinking of booking one - we've collated a couple of our most popular articles to make sure you're informed of what you're getting into when you land!
Ultimate Guide to Health Insurance in Japan
Health insurance is a tricky topic from country to country. Where it's very expensive, some people can't afford the healthcare and medication they need. Where it's completely free, some people find it extremely difficult to book an appointment to see a doctor within a reasonable time frame. Japan offers a reasonably priced healthcare system that is known for its reliability - in fact, it even covers 98% of the population. Read on to find out about how the system works, the different types of insurance plans, and the procedures for enrolling and accessing healthcare services. Nobody plans on getting sick (least of all when they're traveling) so don't miss out on this one!
Ultimate Guide to Japan's Pension System
If you're anything like me when I first landed in Japan, the last thing on your mind is the pension. BUT - what happens is, you ignore it for a few years and then one day you receive a letter that says, "You owe us the equivalent of $4500USD for the pension and we expect you to pay it now." Fortunately, if you go into pension office and speak with them, it is possible for them to make exceptions or help you work out a payment plan. Some people get caught quickly, others never do. Be ready for it and read on to find out how the system works.
Ultimate Guide to Banking in Japan
There are quite a few banks in Japan and some of them have very similar names - this is something you'll want to be careful of when moving money around or joining a company. Not every bank will have English support, and some of the ones that do will come with fees. The ones with English support and no fees might not have their own ATMs so there are several considerations to make.
Side note: If you're expecting to be in Japan for a while, check out Japan Switch's affordable online and offline Japanese lessons and take your Japanese conversation skills to 'bank without English support' proficiency!
For more information or other updates and tips on life in Japan, be sure to check out our website here.
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Your Friends,
The Japan Switch Team
