Japan Sickness and Injury Allowance: Eligibility for Foreign Workers

This allowance is an income-replacement type of health insurance benefit administered by the Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kenpo) or individual company health insurance societies (kumiai kenpo). It is designed for people enrolled as employees in company-based health insurance who become unable to work due to illness or injury unrelated to their job. Payment follows a three-day waiting period of consecutive absence from work, with the allowance paid from the fourth day onward. A common point of confusion is that this benefit is not shared by all people enrolled in municipal National Health Insurance, such as self-employed workers or freelancers — confirm your situation with your insurer. Cases that qualify for workers' accident compensation insurance (rōsai hoken) are handled separately from this allowance. Because the benefit amount is calculated individually based on factors such as standard monthly remuneration, and the total payment period depends on individual circumstances, readers should confirm their own case through official sources before assuming any specific outcome.

Who it is for

• You are enrolled as an employee in company-based health insurance, such as Kyokai Kenpo or a company health insurance society (kumiai kenpo)
• Your illness or injury is unrelated to your work
• You are unable to perform your job duties because of that illness or injury
• You have been absent from work for four or more days, including a continuous three-day waiting period
• Your employer is not paying you sufficient salary during the period you are unable to work

Points to note

• This benefit is not shared by all people enrolled in municipal National Health Insurance (used by many self-employed people and freelancers); it applies to employees covered by employer-based health insurance. Confirm your situation with your insurer.
• Cases that qualify for workers' accident compensation insurance (rōsai hoken) are handled separately from this allowance.
• Loss of insured status can affect whether payments continue, under certain conditions — confirm with your insurer.

The exact benefit amount cannot be stated as a fixed figure because it is calculated individually based on your standard monthly remuneration and related factors. The maximum payment period is set at a cumulative total of one year and six months from the date payments begin, but continued eligibility can be affected by circumstances such as receiving salary during your absence or losing your insured status. For the calculation method that applies to your case and the current payment period rules, check the official Kyokai Kenpo website or ask your health insurance provider directly.

How it works

1. Confirm what type of health insurance you are enrolled in — employer-based insurance such as Kyokai Kenpo or kumiai kenpo, or municipal National Health Insurance
2. Visit the official Japan Health Insurance Association (Kyokai Kenpo) website to review current conditions, calculation methods, and the published Reiwa 8 calculation examples
3. Contact the Japan Health Insurance Association or your health insurance society directly about your specific situation