Social Security in Japan

March 2001

National Institute of Population and Social Security Research


Preface

This booklet aims to provide foreign researchers with an introductory explanation of aspects of the social security system in Japan: pensions, health insurance, public assistance, long-term care and employment insurance. The booklet was first published in March 2000, and this is the updated 2001 version. The booklet is mostly descriptive and kept at a minimum level in outlining the current system and the challenges facing it. Researchers are advised to refer to further readings at the end of this booklet. As Japan's social security system is undergoing a series of reforms, we will update this publication from time to time.

Dr. Makoto Atoh
Director-General
National Institute of Population and Social Security Research

Contents

1.Overview of Social Security System
I.General Characteristics
II.Revenues and Expenditure of the Social Security
2.Pensions
I. General Characteristics
II. Types of Pension Scheme
III. Current Issues of Pension System
Outline of Pension System
3.Health Insurance
I. General Characteristics
II. Types of Health Insurance
III. Current Issues of Health Insurance
Outline of Health Insurance System
4.Social Assistance
I. General Characteristics
II. Assistance Schemes
III. Current Issues
5.Long-Term Care
I.General Characteristics
II. Long-Term Care Insurance System
III. Current Issues
6.Employment Insurance
I.General Characteristics
II. Employment Insurance System
III. Current Issues
Outline of the Employment Insurance System
References

The above document is displayed in Portable Document Format (PDF). Acrobat Reader is required to read the document. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded for free by clicking the following icon. get acrobat reader

Please click the following iconpdf version to view Social Secrurity in Japan, March 2001.

Note: Important information for anyone who wishes to download PDF files with English environment
Owing to the fact that this PDF file was translated into English and produced in the Japanese environment, it is possible that inconveniences will occur on computers which only have an English environment, such as difficulties in opening files and not being able to print. We would recommend that you carry out the following procedures to resolve these problems.
Firstly, download from the Adobe homepage the latest version of Adobe's Acrobat Reader (version 4.0). Secondly, on the same Adobe homepage, select 'Japanese' from Asian Font Packs and download from the nearest site.
Adobe homepage: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
Asian Font Packs: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/cjkfontpack.html
We will fax or mail the output data to those persons who are unable to use the above method. Please do not hesitate to contact the coordinator at HERE.


go to Top Page