暮らしの手引き広島 第１章 保健・医療・福祉

5 Social Welfare(1) Public Pensions
All registered residents of Japan aged 20 to 59 years, including foreign nationals, arerequired to join the National Pension system. (The nationality requirement was abolished on
January 1, 1982.)
Persons employed at a company, factory or government agency are required to enroll in the
Employee’s Pension Insurance system.
 Enrollment procedures
To enroll in the National Pension, you need to submit an application to your municipal
government office.
For Employee’s Pension Insurance, enrollment procedures are completed by youremployer (e.g. company). You do not have to complete the enrollment procedures yourself.
Upon completion of the pension enrollment procedures, you will be issued with a pension
handbook. Please keep it in a safe place.
 Premium
Persons enrolled in a pension system must pay premiums each month.
Persons enrolled in the National Pension should pay premiums by one of the following
methods:
Bank transfer
Premiums are automatically withdrawn from your bankaccount.
In cashMake payments at a bank, post office or convenience store(using payment notices) using the payment notices sent to you by the Japan Pension
Service.
Credit card
Make payments periodically by your credit card.
Via the Internet
Make payments via Internet Banking, etc.
In the case of a person working at a company, etc., premiums are deducted from theirsalary each month.
 Exemption/postponement of National Pension premium payments
If you have difficulty paying premiums due to financial reasons, submit an “Application
for Premium Exemption/Payment Postponement” to your municipal government office. If
your application is approved, you will be exempted from premium payments or be allowed topostpone premium payments.
Students may be allowed to postpone premium payments under the special payment
system for students.
 Benefits
A number of pension benefits are available to insured persons when they meet certain
conditions, such as old-age pensions, disability pensions and survivors’ pensions.
There is also a system to provide a lump-sum withdrawal benefit for short-term foreign
residents. Foreign residents who have paid National Pension premiums or have been enrolled
in Employee’s Pension Insurance for a total of six months or more and who are not eligible
for old-age pension may claim a lump-sum withdrawal benefit within two years of leaving
Japan.

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Guide to Living in Hiroshima Chapter 1 Health, Medical Care and Welfare

For further information on public pensions, including enrollment procedures, payment ofpremiums, how to file a claim for pension benefits, and various types of pension-related
applications, contact the section in charge.
◆Japan Pension Service website (with information in foreign languages)
http://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/index.html◇◇

Outline of the System◇◇① National Pension■ Types of National Pension members and payment methods
Category I
insured persons

Category II
insured persons

Category III
insured persons

・ Self-employed persons, agriculture/forestry/fishery business operators, etc.
and their spouses aged 20 to 59 living in Japan (excluding Category 2 and 3
insured persons)・ Students aged 20 or older
Pension premiums should be paid using payment notices, or through accounttransfer, etc.
・ Private company employees, public officers (persons enrolled in the
Employees’ Pension Insurance system or the Mutual Aid Association)
Pension premiums are deducted from the employee’s salary and paid to thepension office by the employer.
・ Dependent spouses of private company employees and public officers
Category III insured persons do not pay premiums; all premiums are borne byCategory II insured persons as a whole.

■ Pension premiums
Flat-rate
contribution
Additional
contribution

Monthly amount: 16,540 yen (Advance payment discount program available)* Amount as of 2020
Monthly amount: 400 yen (Category I insured persons who have applied for an
additional pension plan, only)■ Types of pension benefits *Amount of pension benefit as of 2020
Pension benefits are paid from age 65 to persons whose insured period (total of
Old-age Basic contribution payment and exemption periods) is 10 years or more.
Pension[Amount of pension benefit] 781,700 yen/year (full benefit amount for those whohave paid premiums for 40 years)
You can receive the Disability Basic Pension when you have a certain level ofdisability specified by law. To be eligible, you must be covered by the National
Pension Insurance system on the date of your first medical examination of thesickness or injury which caused abovementioned disability, and have paid
Disability
premiums for the prescribed period. The amount of benefits is set according to the
Basic Pension
degree of disability.
[Amount of pension benefit] Grade 1: 977,125 yen/year, Grade 2: 781,700
yen/year(Additional benefits will be paid for eligible dependent child(ren))20

暮らしの手引き広島 第１章 保健・医療・福祉

Survivors’ Basic
PensionWhen a National Pension insured person who has paid premiums for theprescribed period dies, the Survivors’ Basic Pension benefits are provided tothe deceased’s spouse who takes care of their dependent child(ren) or to theirdependent child(ren).
[Amount of pension benefit] 781,700 yen (additional benefits will be paid
depending on the number of children)

Benefits only for
Category I insured
persons

Widow’s Pension, Additional Pension Plan, Lump-sum Death Benefit,
Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments

Detailed information on the National Pension system is available on the Japan Pension
Service website.
(Pamphlets in fifteen languages are available.)◆ Japan Pension Service website “National Pension System”
http://www.nenkin.go.jp/pamphlet/kokunenseido.html② Employees’ Pension Insurance Pension premiums and the amount of pension benefits
The Employee’s Pension Insurance is the system added to the National Pension. In otherwords, an insured person under Employees’ Pension Insurance is also covered by the
National Pension as a Category II insured person (i.e., they are covered by two pension
systems). The amount of premiums is determined in proportion to the insured person’s
remuneration, and the benefit amount is determined according to the insured person’s
remuneration and enrollment period.

 Types of pension benefits
Old-age Employee’s Pension, Disability Employee’s Pension (Grade 1, 2, 3), Disability
Allowance, Survivors’ Employees’ Pension, Lump-sum Withdrawal Benefit

Contact

Pension Office21

Guide to Living in Hiroshima Chapter 1 Health, Medical Care and Welfare(2) Public Assistance
The public assistance system is a system that provides necessary assistance to individuals
who have lost their primary source of income due to death, illness or accident of the primaryfamily wage earner or other reasons and have become destitute despite their efforts to make aliving. Assistance is offered according to the needs of each person in need of protection. In
Japan, foreign nationals with permanent or long-term resident status who are permitted toengage in the same activities as Japanese nationals are eligible for public assistance under the
Public Assistance Act.
◇Kinds of assistance: livelihood assistance, housing assistance, education assistance, medical
assistance, long-term care assistance, maternity assistance, occupational
assistance, and funeral aid
Contact

Welfare Office, Municipal government office(3) Self-reliance Support System for Those in Need
The Self-reliance Support System for Those in Need provides the necessary information andadvice regarding consultations for those struggling to be self-reliant (other than employment
support). Various other measures are also being implemented, such as the provision of housing
subsidies, in order to strive for the self-reliance of poor and in need persons.
Category

Mandatory
services
Voluntaryservices*

Self-reliance consultation services, housing subsidies

Employment preparation support, temporary livelihood
assistance, family income improvement consultation/support,
learning and lifestyle support for children* Some municipalities may not offer voluntary services.
Contact

Municipal government office《Section in charge of self-reliance support for
those in need》* Services are provided by municipal welfare offices or private service providers
entrusted by municipalities.

(4) Long-term Care Insurance① What is the long-term care insurance system?
The long-term care insurance system is a system whereby society as a whole supports
people who are in need of long-term care to enable them to live independent lives as long as
possible while receiving necessary healthcare and welfare services. The long-term careinsurance system is applied to all eligible people regardless of nationality.
② Eligibility
Individuals eligible for long-term care insurance are those aged 65 or older and those aged
40 to 64 with healthcare insurance who reside in Japan, including foreign nationals residing
legally in Japan for more than three months.
Foreign nationals whose permitted period of stay is three months or less but who arerecognized as planning to stay in Japan for more than three months according to their purposeof entry and the situation of their life in Japan are also eligible.
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暮らしの手引き広島 第１章 保健・医療・福祉③ Inquiries
For detailed information on the long-term care insurance system, including procedures forthe use of services and available services, contact your municipal government office.
◇◇ Outline of Long-term Care Insurance System ◇◇ Enrollment procedure → Notification
An enrollment procedure is not required, but you need to notify your municipal
government office that you have reached the age of 65.
 Types of insured persons, premium amounts, and how to pay insurance premiums
A Category 1 insured persons (residents aged 65 or older)
The amount of the premium varies according to the person’s place of residence andincome level.

B

For those who receive a pension above a certain amount, the insurance premiums
will be deducted from their pension. Other persons should individually pay thepremiums to their municipalities.
Failure to pay your insurance premiums without any justifiable reasons, such as anatural disaster, may result in restrictions on your use of services.
Category 2 insured persons (residents aged between 40 and 64)

C

The amount of the premium varies according to the health insurance plan in which
the person is enrolled.
Long-term care insurance premiums are collected from the insured person’s monthly
salary, together with health insurance premiums, by the providers of the healthinsurance (Employees’ Health Insurance, National Health Insurance, etc.).
Insurance certificate
All people aged 65 and over are issued an insurance certificate, in principle.
Those aged between 40 and 64 will be issued an insurance certificate when it
becomes necessary to use services of long-term care insurance.

 Who can use care/support services?
・ Those aged 65 years or older who need care or support to lead their daily lives
・ Those aged between 40 and 64 who become in need of care or support due to a designateddisease Procedure to use long-term care services
If you wish to use services under the long-term care insurance plan, submit an application
to your municipal government office to receive an examination to determine whether you arein need of care or support to lead your daily life, and the level of care/support you need.
After being certified as in need of care or support, you can receive benefits for services
you have used after the date of application.
 How to use services
If you wish to use in-home care services (preventive care), ask an in-home care (preventivecare) support provider to create a care plan (a service use plan created based on the user’s
wishes and physical and mental conditions). Consult fully with your service provider toreceive the necessary services.
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Guide to Living in Hiroshima Chapter 1 Health, Medical Care and Welfare

Types of services
Type
In-home services(including preventive
care services for thosecertified for support
need)

Major services

Home-visit careHome-visit
nursing
Outpatientcare
Short-staylife careCommunity-based
services(including preventive
care services for thosecertified as needing
support)Facility services(Not available for those
who have been certified
as needing support)

Small-scale,multi-functional
home careCommunity life
care for elderlywith dementia
Specified welfare
facilities for theelderly

Elderly healthcare
facilities

Home-care workers visit the homes of users
to provide assistance with physicalactivities such as bathing and toileting, inaddition to daily life activities such as
cooking and washing.
Nurses visit users’ homes to check their
medical conditions and provide necessary
medical assistance.
Users make one-day visits to day service
centers to receive assistance services foreating, bathing, etc., as well as functional
training.
Users make short stays at welfare facilities
for the elderly to receive care andassistance services for daily life activities.
Users receive assistance with eating,bathing, etc. and/or daily life activities
through in-home, outpatient and short stay
services.
A small group of people with dementia
requiring care live in a care home andreceive care and assistance with daily life
activities.
Those at Care Level 3 or higher (inprinciple) in need of constant care who areunable to live in their homes live in a
special nursing home to receive care andassistance with daily life activities.
Elderly people receive nursing care,
medical care, functional training etc. under
medical/nursing supervision with the aim of
returning to independent living.

 Payment by users
Depending on their income, users are required to pay 10% (if income exceeds thedesignated standard, required to pay 20% or 30%) of service costs to the service providers.
Users who receive facility services must pay food and accommodation fees, in addition to
the facility service fees.
There are expense assistance programs to ease burdens on low-income individuals andthose whose care service fees are extremely high. For details, contact your municipal
government office.
Please note that the maximum amount available for in-home services per month is set
according to each care level category.
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暮らしの手引き広島 第１章 保健・医療・福祉(5) Services for the Elderly① In-home services
Available services vary by municipality (city/town). For details, contact your municipal
government office.
Type of service

Details

Daily life support

Meal delivery service that aims to improve elderly people’s
nutritional intake, etc.

Preventive care services

Preventive care classes to help elderly people stay well andprevent their health conditions from worsening, etc.

Support for family
caregivers

Holding of family caregiver classes, watching over elderly
people with dementia, holding of exchange meetings forfamily caregivers, etc.

② Facilities
Various types of facilities are available for those who have difficulty living at home.
Type of service

Where to apply

Eligibility, etc.

Nursing home forthe elderly

City/Town office

Those aged 65 or older who are welfare
recipients or who live in households thatare exempt from resident taxes, etc.

Low-cost home forthe elderly

FacilityThose aged 60 or older who havedifficulty living independently, etc.

City/Town office

Those aged 60 or older who have

Facilitydifficulty living independently, etc.

Facility

Free contract, obligation to pay the fullamount, those aged 60 or older

Life support house
Fee-charging home
for the elderly③ Other small-scale facilities
To help elderly people who have difficulty living at home, including those living alone,
live in their familiar communities, various small-scale facilities are available, including
small-scale homes for the elderly in underpopulated areas, total-care homes, Anshin living
homes, self-support type group homes, and small-scale community-based care promotion
service homes.

Contact

Municipal government office25

Guide to Living in Hiroshima Chapter 1 Health, Medical Care and Welfare(6) Services for the Disabled① Disability Certificate
To ensure that persons with disabilities receive consistent consultation and guidance andhave easy access to various support services, different certificates will be issued according to
the type of disability.
Upon presentation of their disability certificate, persons with disabilities are eligible fordiscount fares, income tax deduction, reduction of/exemption from entrance fees for public
facilities, and other welfare services.
Contact

Type of Certificate
Physical Disability Certificate

Municipal government officeIntellectual Disability Certificate

Center for Children and Family Counseling,
Municipal government officeMental Disability Certificate

Municipal government office② Welfare services for persons with disabilities
In accordance with the Comprehensive Services and Supports for Persons with Disabilities
Act, municipalities provide services for persons with disabilities through a common system,
regardless of the type of disability (physical disability, intellectual disability, mental disability,
serious disease, etc.).
The costs of welfare services are borne by the national, prefectural and municipal
governments. The users pay part of the service costs according to their income, in principle.
Type of service
Details
Home-visit
service, Provide in-home welfare services (home help service, short-stayshort-stay service
service, etc.) to enable persons with disabilities to live withpeace of mind in their communities in which they feel familiar
Daily activity support
Provide daily life support and employment-related services
service
Facility-based service Provide care and services at group homes, etc. so that persons
with disabilities can live with peace of mind in theircommunities
Service for children For children with disabilities, provide care at medical or welfare
with disabilities
facilities, or outpatient services including development support
Community
life To promote independent living and social participation of
support services
persons with disabilities, provide various services depending on
the type of disability, including social adaptation training andtraining for smooth social lives* For details, contact your municipal government office.
Contact

Municipal government office, Welfare Office26

暮らしの手引き広島 第１章 保健・医療・福祉(7) Services for Children① Nursery schools
Nursery schools are facilities for infants from 0 years of age up until they enter elementary
school. Nursery schools provide childcare on behalf of parents who are unable to take care of
their child at home due to work or other reasons.
Acceptable ages, childcare hours differ depending on the nursery school. For detailed
information including application procedures, contact your municipal government office.
Contact

Municipal government office② Nintei Kodomoen (certified childcare centers)
Nintei Kodomoen accept infants from 0 years of age up until they enter elementary school,
regardless of their parent’s employment status.
Acceptable ages, childcare hours differ depending on the Nintei Kodomoen. For detailed
information including application procedures, contact your municipal government office.

Contact

Municipal government office③ After-school children’s clubs
After-school children’s clubs aim to support children’s sound development by providing aplace to play or relax for elementary school children whose parents are not at home after
school hours due to work or other reasons. After-school children’s clubs are held in children’s
halls and elementary schools.
For detailed information including application procedures, contact your municipal
government office.

Contact

Municipal government office27

Guide to Living in Hiroshima Chapter 1 Health, Medical Care and Welfare(8) Services for Atomic Bomb Survivors
Atomic bomb survivors who hold an Atomic Bomb Survivor’s Handbook (Hibakusha Kenko
Techo) are eligible for the following aid.
① Medical expenses
There is a system to subsidize medical expenses for atomic bomb survivors. When an
atomic bomb survivor receives medical treatment at a medical institution designated by theHiroshima Prefectural Governor, the copayment amount will be subsidized.
Contact

Municipal government office② Allowance
There is a system to provide allowances (health management allowances, etc.) to atomic
bomb survivors.

Contact

Municipal government office③ Nursing homes for A-bomb survivors
There are nursing homes for A-bomb survivors in Hiroshima Prefecture who are unable toreceive nursing care at home.

Contact

Place of residence

Atomic Bomb Survivors Support Division, Hiroshima
A-bomb survivors residing
Prefectural Government
outside Hiroshima City
Tel: 082-513-3109
A-bomb survivors residing
Local ward officein Hiroshima City
(9) Other Services
For other welfare services for the elderly and the disabled, contact your municipal
government office, Welfare Office, Office of Health, Welfare and Environment, or Public HealthCenter.
Contact

Municipal government officeWelfare Office
Office of Health, Welfare and Environment / Public Health Center
Health, healthcare and welfare-related consultation agencies

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