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National Health Insurance

国民健康保険 (Kokumin Kenkō Hoken) Enrollment Guide

If you are not covered by employer-provided health insurance (社会保険), you must enroll in NHI within 14 days of moving in or losing your previous coverage.

Required Documents

  • Residence Card (在留カード)
  • Move-in Notification (転入届) — completed
  • Passport
  • Previous Health Insurance Certificate (if applicable)
  • My Number Notification Card or My Number Card

Premiums

NHI premiums are based on your previous year's income. Approximate ranges:

Low income (¥2M/yr)~¥15,000/mo
Mid income (¥5M/yr)~¥30,000/mo
Annual cap (2026)¥1,060,000

Enrollment Steps

1

Complete Move-in

File your 転入届 at your new ward office first.

2

Go to NHI Counter

At the same ward office, visit the National Health Insurance (国民健康保険) window — usually labeled 国保年金課.

3

Submit Enrollment Form

Fill out the 国民健康保険加入届. Use full-width characters for all text fields.

4

Receive Insurance Card

Your NHI card is usually mailed within 1–2 weeks. Some wards issue a temporary certificate same-day.