💛 Japan Social Insurance Calculator

The Japan Social Insurance Calculator estimates the employee share of shakai hokenryo (social insurance premiums) deducted from your monthly salary. Japan's social insurance system has four components:

1. Health Insurance (kenko hoken / kempo): Covers medical care, sickness/injury allowance, maternity benefits, and childcare. The total contribution rate is approximately 9.98% (varying by prefecture and insurance society), split equally between employee and employer (each pays ~4.99%). The rate includes a recent increase for the "next-generation nurturing support" (jisedai ikusei shien kinka).

2. Employees' Pension (kosei nenkin): The national pension system for company employees. Total rate is 18.3%, split equally (employee pays 9.15%). Contributions are capped at a maximum standard monthly remuneration of 620,000 yen (as of 2025).

3. Employment Insurance (koyo hoken / koyoken): Unemployment insurance. Rates vary by industry: 0.6% for general industries (employee share), 0.7% for agriculture/forestry/fishery/alcohol, 0.5% for construction.

4. Workers' Compensation Insurance (rosai hoken): Paid entirely by the employer (employee pays nothing), so it is not deducted from your salary.

A unique feature of the Japanese system is the standard remuneration (hyoji kyuyo) grade system. Your actual monthly salary is mapped to a grade, and insurance is calculated on the grade amount, not your exact salary. This simplifies administration but can cause minor discrepancies between actual pay and insurance deductions.

The calculator applies the following formulas:

Health Insurance = Standard Monthly Remuneration (capped at 1,390,000) x ~9.98% / 2 (employee share: ~4.99%)

Nursing Care (ages 40-64) = Standard Monthly Remuneration x 1.62% / 2 (employee share: 0.81%)

Pension = Standard Monthly Remuneration (capped at 620,000) x 18.3% / 2 (employee share: 9.15%)

Employment Insurance = Total Monthly Salary (including bonuses) x 0.6% (employee share, general industries)

Standard Remuneration Grade: Your monthly salary is mapped to one of 50 grades. For example, 320,000-330,000 yen monthly maps to grade 21 (standard remuneration 330,000 yen). Bonuses are generally not subject to health and pension insurance (only employment insurance applies).

1. Enter your monthly salary (before deductions, excluding bonus).
2. Select your industry type (affects employment insurance rate).
3. Enter your age (affects whether you are in the nursing care category).
4. Click Calculate to see your monthly social insurance breakdown.
5. Review the annual total to understand your yearly contributions.

What is the difference between shakai hoken and kokumin kenko hoken?

Shakai hoken (social insurance) is for company employees and includes health insurance, pension, and employment insurance managed through your employer. Kokumin kenko hoken (national health insurance) is for self-employed, freelancers, and retirees who manage their own health insurance. Company employees automatically enroll in shakai hoken; they cannot choose kokumin kenko hoken while employed.

What is the nursing care insurance (kaigo hoken) and when do I pay it?

Nursing care insurance (kaigo hokenryo) is a component of health insurance for workers aged 40 and over. It funds the long-term care system for elderly. The rate is 1.62% of standard monthly remuneration (FY2026 nationwide Kyokai Kenpo rate, up from 1.59%), split equally with employer (employee share 0.81%). Workers under 40 do not pay this. Workers over 65 transition to a different system.

How are standard remuneration grades determined?

Your company reports your monthly salary to the health insurance society annually. The society maps your salary to one of 50 standard remuneration grades based on standard tables. This grade amount (not your exact salary) is used for calculating premiums. Grades range from 1 (58,000 yen) to 50 (1,390,000 yen) for health insurance. If your salary changes significantly during the year, a new grade may be assigned.

Are social insurance premiums tax-deductible in Japan?

Yes. Social insurance premiums are deducted from your gross salary before calculating income tax. This is called the "social insurance deduction" (shakai hokenryo kojo). It reduces your taxable income, effectively lowering your income tax and resident tax. The deduction is applied automatically through withholding.

What happens to my pension if I leave Japan?

If you have contributed to the employees' pension for 6+ months and leave Japan, you can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment (dattai ichiji kin). The amount depends on your contribution months and is paid to a foreign bank account. You must apply within 2 years of leaving Japan. The maximum payment is for 36+ months of contributions.

This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial professional for advice specific to your situation.

Standard remuneration is reviewed annually: Your company reports your actual monthly salary to the health insurance society and pension office once a year (usually around July). Based on this report, your standard remuneration grade may change. If you receive a significant raise, expect your insurance premiums to increase from September onward.

Bonuses and insurance: Health insurance and pension generally do NOT apply to bonuses. Only employment insurance (0.6%) is deducted from bonus payments. This is one reason why high-bonus compensation packages have a slightly better net-to-gross ratio.

Capped contributions: Pension contributions are capped at a standard monthly remuneration of 620,000 yen (monthly pension: 56,730 yen for employee share). Health insurance also has a cap, but it varies by prefecture (typically around 1.39 million yen standard remuneration). High earners pay a lower effective rate once they hit the cap.

Check your payslip: The social insurance deduction line on your payslip (shakai hokenryo) should roughly match this calculator. If there is a significant discrepancy, ask your HR department which health insurance society you belong to, as rates can vary slightly.