1.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
Japan's public health insurance program for residents who are not covered by employer-based insurance. Administered by municipal governments and mandatory for all eligible residents, including self-employed workers, students, and retirees.
When you leave your job, you need to switch from company insurance to National Health Insurance.
Composed of 国民 (citizens, nationals), 健康 (health), and 保険 (insurance). Almost always abbreviated to 国保 in everyday speech and written communication. An essential term for anyone living in Japan, as all residents must be enrolled in some form of health insurance.
Usage
Japan's universal healthcare system has two main pillars: employer-based insurance (社会保険 or 社保) and National Health Insurance (国保). The latter covers the self-employed, part-time workers not eligible for employer plans, students, and those between jobs. Foreign residents in Japan are also required to enroll.
Common collocations
Similar words
- 国保: NHI (abbreviation) — the standard short form used in everyday speech
- 社会保険: social insurance — employer-based health and pension insurance
- 健康保険: health insurance — can refer to any health insurance, but often specifically means employer-based health insurance
- 後期高齢者医療制度: late-stage elderly medical care system — the insurance system for those aged 75 and over