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National Health Insurance Withdrawal

Before leaving Japan, withdraw from National Health Insurance. It is most efficient to handle this on the same day as your overseas move-out notification.

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Documents needed

Residence Card
National Health Insurance card or Qualification Confirmation Card
ID document (passport, etc.)
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Steps

1

Visit your city / ward office (most efficient to do this on the same day as your overseas move-out notification)

2

File the loss of National Health Insurance eligibility (the head of household is the one obliged to file, within 14 days of losing eligibility - NHI Enforcement Regulations, art. 12)

3

Hand back your qualification certificate (or insurance card if you still have one) (art. 12)

4

Confirm any premium adjustments (refund or additional charge) after withdrawal

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Important notes

National Health Insurance covers people who have an address within a prefecture (NHI Act, art. 5). Once your residence record is deleted by the overseas move-out notification you no longer have one, so eligibility ends. Doing both on the same day avoids paying extra premiums

If you have already paid annual premiums, a refund may be issued after withdrawal

If a premium refund applies, your municipality will notify you after withdrawal is processed. A separate application may be required in some cases — confirm at the counter when withdrawing

Official info verified: 2026-09-10 / Source: laws.e-gov.go.jp
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