Recent HR Regulations in Japan
Health Insurance Cards Abolished December 2024
MyNumber Cards replace health insurance cards from December 2, 2024. Health insurance cards will no longer be issued.MyNumber Cards Registered as Health Insurance Cards
Employees and their dependents can use their MyNumber Cards that have been registered as health insurance cards when visiting medical institutions.
Registration can be done using the card reader at medical institutions, on Myna Portal, or using Seven Bank ATMs.
For more information on how to apply for a MyNumber Card and register it for health insurance, please visit the government's MyNumber General Information website (https://www.kojinbango-card.go.jp/en/), or call the English hotline at 0120-0178-26.
Existing Health Insurance Cards
Existing health insurance cards can continue to be used as usual until December 1, 2025.
Note:
- Current health insurance cards will not be reissued due to loss or name change from December 2, 2024.
- From December 2, 2025, existing health insurance cards will become invalid and can be disposed of by employees themselves.
Interim Health Insurance Cards
Interim health insurance cards (Shikaku Kakuninsho) are issued to those who do not have a MyNumber Health Insurance Cards, and are subject to expiration.
For employees and dependents with existing health insurance cards, if they still do not have a MyNumber Health Insurance Card by November 2025, their health insurance office will issue an interim health insurance card.
For new employees and dependents who do not have a MyNumber Health Insurance Card, an interim health insurance card will be issued upon request at the time of their health insurance registration. It takes 1-2 weeks for the interim card to be issued once requested. If a request is not made, it may take up to 2 months for the health insurance office to issue an interim card.
If employees leave the company before the interim card expiration date, the card must be returned to the company for the health insurance deregistration process.
Eligibility Notification
The health insurance office issues an Eligibility Notification (Shikaku Joho No Oshirase) to employees and their dependents to inform them of their registration information for health insurance once the health insurance registration is completed.
The Notification should be kept with the MyNumber Health Insurance Card, as both need to be presented at medical institutions in case technical issues prevent reading the MyNumber Health Insurance Card.
Employee Contract April 2024
Employers must state in the employment contract the possible changes to work location and scope in the future, in addition to stating work location and scope immediately upon employment. For fixed-term employees, contract renewal details must also be stated.
Worktime records 2019
Employers must record working hours for all employees. Only representative directors are exempt. They can either use on-the-spot confirmation by the manager, or objective measures such as timecards or IC cards. If neither can be used and the employee must self-report their worktime, employers must explain the importance to employees and managers of accurate time-recording, conduct surveys on the accuracy of employees' self-reported time, verify employees' justifications for staying at work beyond their self-reported time, and refrain from imposing limitations on the amount of worktime employees can report.
HR Regulations and Practices in Japan
Human resources regulations in Japan address work rule, employee contracts, compensation, and housing.
Work Rules in Japan
Regulations and minimum requirements concerning company work rules, i.e., the terms and conditions of employment for employees in a company in Japan.
HR Legislative Reporting in Japan
Table of main human resources legislative reporting requirements for employees and companies in Japan.
Sample Offer Letter for Japanese Employment
Sample offer letter of employment for a prospective employee in Japan.
Labor Contracts
Regulations and practice regarding labor contracts in japan, including working conditions, restrictions, cancellation, and dismissal.
Dismissal
Regulations on dismissal of employees in Japan, including grounds for dismissal and the dismissal process.
Compensation in Japan
Employee compensation considerations for outsourcing companies in Japan, including regulations, practice, and recommended policies.
Employee Housing “Legal Rent” Arrangement
In Japan, “Legal rent” is a specific arrangement of providing housing for employees which reduces social insurance costs for both the employee and the company.
Apartment Insurance
Minimum insurance coverage required for apartments in Tokyo, Japan.
Holidays in Japan
Japanese national holidays, traditional holiday periods, and annual leave regulations, including leave recommendations for companies in Japan.
These descriptions are not intended nor are they a substitute for professional advice. HR regulations are complex and qualified professional HR advice should be obtained prior to taking any action.
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