JJapan Finance

How do they calculate NHI payments for foreigners in their first year?

  • March 29, 2026

Hi there,

I’ll be in Japan on a Working Holiday Visa and will almost certainly be paying National Health Insurance (Kokumin Kenkō Hoken) rather than Employees’ Health Insurance.

I keep seeing different information about how this is calculated for foreigners, specifically for foreigners/non-residents in their first year in Japan (i.e. with no previous Japanese income).

Do I need to bring proof of my foreign (UK) income last year to submit when I apply? Will I need to give an estimate of my UK income on the NHI application form?

Last year I was a student on a scholarship and only worked part time, so my income was relatively low in any case.

Any help is greatly appreciated 🙂

by kasa-obake1985

4 comments

  1. First year is a fixed small amount that you pay as if you had no income previously. It catches up from the second year. Enjoy while it lasts. 

  2. NHI contributions are based on your previous year’s income (tax certificate; domestic only), you likely have to pay minimum contributions this year. Your ward office will know the amount of paid taxes (0 in your case) and calculate NHI accordingly, base and variable amount vary between municipalities.

    You also need to be enrolled in kokumin nenkin when you’re between 20-64. Depending on your income, 1/2, 3/4 or full nenkin exemption can be granted and you get free coverage as you would pay up to a certain amount.

    Voluntary back payments (in case you were granted exemption) will be possible anytime up to two years back. This has importance for a future PR application, because you need certain years paid on-time, but voluntary back payments (after granted exemption) **before** you submit your PR are recorded as on-time payments.

    Get your MyNumber card when you register your jūsho, meanwhile you can use it as NHI card at medical institutions as well as check medical expenses and pension records with the Mynaportal app. You can also check in at clinics with your smartphone with face id when you add MyNumber to your wallet.

    You can link nenkin in the MynaPortal app and view your nenkin records anytime, each month shows up in detail (paid/unpaid/exempted and on-time/late).

  3. How long are you coming to Japan. Depending on the situation you may not actually qualify as a resident.

  4. I also have to pay kokumin nenkin, based on last year’s salary. I haven’t received the slips yet which will come in June. If I leave Japan before then, will I still have to pay them or will they be cancelled?

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