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2026-11-01
Tax-Free Shopping Overhaul! Store→Airport Refund
From Nov 1, 2026, tax-free shopping changes to refund system. Pay 10% tax at stores, get refund at airport.
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2026-04-01Tax
🏥 National Health Insurance Premium Cap Raised! ¥1.09M→¥1.10M
Effective April 1, 2026 — Higher burden for high earners
110
10K yen (cap)
+1
10K yen up
67
10K (medical)
4
Yrs consecutive
❓ What's changing?
The annual premium cap for National Health Insurance (NHI/Kokuho) rises from ¥1,090,000 to ¥1,100,000. The basic levy (medical portion) increases from ¥660,000 to ¥670,000 (+¥10,000). Late-elderly support and nursing care portions remain unchanged.
👥 Who's affected?
- ●High-income self-employed/freelancers enrolled in NHI
- ●Foreign residents not covered by employer health insurance
- ●Those earning roughly ¥10M+ per year are most likely to hit the cap
- ●Company employees (on employer insurance) are not affected
📊 Premium cap breakdown
| Category | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic levy (medical) | ¥660K | ¥670K | +¥10K |
| Late-elderly support | ¥260K | ¥260K | No change |
| Nursing care | ¥170K | ¥170K | No change |
| Total | ¥1,090K | ¥1,100K | +¥10K |
📅 Historical trend
FY2023¥1,040K
FY2024¥1,060K
FY2025¥1,090K
FY2026¥1,100K
💡 Key points to know
1Cap increase only affects high-income households — middle/low earners unchanged
2Premium calculation varies by municipality (income-based / per-capita / flat)
3Filing taxes correctly and using deductions can reduce premiums
4Foreigners with resident registration must enroll in NHI — unpaid premiums may affect visa status
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