The purpose of the Employment Insurance System is to provide financial security in the event of your leaving your employment. The application procedure for the insurance is to be completed by employers and the premium is paid by both your employers and yourself. It is very important to check if you are to be covered by the insurance when entering a company as there are many employers who do not join the system. Employers can backdate the policy by 2 years from the date that they apply.
Regarding the amount of benefit, you can receive unemployment benefit in compliance with your previous wages or salary. In order to receive the benefit, you should have been covered by the insurance for at least more than 6 months in the last 12 months. To receive the benefit you should complete the following procedure.
First obtain a “RISHOKU-HYO” (Unemployment Certificate) from your employer. The certificate combines information such as the period of time the insurance covers you, your wages, and the reason you left your employment. Then submit it to the Public Employment Security Office (PESO) in your area together with your Job Application Card. Then you should receive certification of unemployment by PESO. If you make the decision to leave your job (i.e. you are not dismissed or laid off) payment will not be made for the first 3 months. Although the duration of the benefit you can claim depends on your age and the period of employment, it usually ranges from 90 days up to 300 days.
For more information about Employment Insurance, please contact the NGO Foreigners’ Assistance Network “Information Hot Line” at 078-232-1290. Consultation is also available for non-Japanese language speakers.