Japanese Business Glossary

死亡保険 (shibou hoken) refers to life insurance in Japan, a type of insurance policy that provides financial protection to the beneficiaries of the insured person upon their death. This insurance is designed to offer peace of mind, ensuring that the insured person’s family or dependents receive financial support to cover expenses such as funeral costs, outstanding debts, and living expenses after the policyholder's death.

The policyholder pays regular premiums to the insurance company, and in return, the company agrees to pay a specified amount, known as the death benefit, to the designated beneficiaries when the insured person passes away. There are various types of shibou hoken, including term life insurance, which provides coverage for a specific period, and whole life insurance, which offers lifelong coverage and may include a savings component.

Choosing the right shibou hoken policy depends on the individual’s financial situation, family needs, and long-term goals. It is an important tool for financial planning, helping to ensure that loved ones are financially secure even after the policyholder's death.

年金 (nenkin) refers to the pension system in Japan, which provides financial support to individuals during their retirement years. It is a vital part of Japan's social security system, aimed at ensuring that retirees have a stable income after they stop working. The Japanese pension system comprises two main components: the National Pension (国民年金, kokumin nenkin) and the Employees' Pension Insurance (厚生年金, kousei nenkin).

The National Pension is mandatory for all residents of Japan aged 20 to 59, including self-employed individuals, students, and unemployed people. The Employees' Pension Insurance covers salaried workers and is jointly funded by contributions from both employees and employers. These contributions are invested to provide monthly payments to retirees, ensuring they can maintain their standard of living. The amount received depends on the length of time and amount contributed to the system. The pension system also includes provisions for disability and survivor benefits, offering a safety net for various life circumstances.

終身医療 (shuushin iryo) refers to lifetime medical care insurance in Japan. This type of insurance provides coverage for medical expenses throughout the insured individual's entire life. It is designed to offer long-term financial protection against the costs associated with illness, injury, and hospitalization.

Shuushin iryo policies typically cover a wide range of medical services, including hospital stays, surgeries, and certain outpatient treatments. The main advantage of shuushin iryo insurance is that it guarantees continuous medical coverage without the need to renew the policy periodically, giving policyholders peace of mind that their medical needs will be financially supported regardless of their age or health condition.

個人年金 (kojin nenkin) refers to private pensions or individual annuities in Japan. These are financial products designed to provide individuals with a steady income during retirement. Unlike public pensions provided by the government, individual annuities are typically purchased from private insurance companies or financial institutions. Individuals make regular contributions to these plans during their working years, and in return, they receive periodic payments after retirement. The purpose of kojin nenkin is to supplement the public pension system, offering additional financial security and stability in one's later years. They are an important component of retirement planning in Japan, helping individuals maintain their standard of living after they stop working.

定期保険 (teiki hoken) is a type of term life insurance in Japan. This insurance provides coverage for a specified period, typically ranging from 10 to 30 years. If the insured individual passes away during this term, the beneficiaries receive a death benefit. However, if the policyholder outlives the term, the coverage ends and no benefit is paid out.

Term life insurance like teiki hoken is often chosen for its affordability compared to whole life insurance. It is suitable for those looking to cover specific financial obligations, such as a mortgage or children's education, during the insured period.

労働保険番号 (rodo hoken bango) is a labor insurance number in Japan. It is a unique identifier assigned to businesses and individuals for managing labor insurance matters. Labor insurance in Japan consists of two main components: Workers' Accident Compensation Insurance (労災保険, Rosai Hoken) and Employment Insurance (雇用保険, Koyo Hoken).

The labor insurance number is essential for various administrative processes, such as registering for insurance, reporting accidents, and applying for benefits. It ensures that the insurance records are accurately maintained and that employees are adequately covered.

To obtain a rodo hoken bango, a company must register with the relevant government authorities, typically through the local Labor Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署, Rodo Kijun Kantokusho) or the Public Employment Security Office (公共職業安定所, Kokyo Shokugyo Antei-sho), also known as "Hello Work."