👷 Part-Timers: ¥88,000 Wage Rule Gone

❓ What changed?

On October 1, 2026, Japan abolished the wage requirement for short-time (part-time) workers to enroll in social insurance — health insurance and employees' pension insurance. The change is based on the 2025 Pension System Reform Act (Act No. 74 of 2025). Until now, even someone working 20 or more hours per week was excluded from coverage if their contractual monthly wage was under ¥88,000. From October 1, that monetary threshold no longer exists, and coverage is decided regardless of how high or low the wage is. Three conditions remain: (1) contractual working hours of 20 or more per week, (2) employment at a company with 51 or more employees, and (3) not being a student. In other words, a non-student working 20+ hours a week at a company with 51+ employees becomes an insured person even if monthly pay falls short of ¥88,000. There is one exception. A worker whose employer holds a special permit under Article 7 of the Minimum Wage Act to pay below the minimum wage, and whose contractual wage is under ¥88,000 a month (a "specified reduction exception" worker), is in principle not covered. Such a worker may still join by submitting a request.

👥 Who is affected?

• ●Non-student foreign residents working 20+ contractual hours a week at a company with 51 or more employees
• ●Short-time workers previously excluded because their contractual monthly wage was under ¥88,000
• ●People working part-time as a dependent on a spouse's or family member's health insurance
• ●Employers with 51 or more employees who hire short-time workers
• ●Workers covered by a minimum-wage reduction permit with wages under ¥88,000/month (not covered in principle, but may join on request)

🌏 Impact on foreign residents

For foreign residents working part-time in Japan, there are two practical effects. First, payroll deductions. If you newly become an insured person, health insurance and employees' pension contributions are deducted from your pay from October onward. Your take-home pay changes, so check your payslip carefully. Contributions are shared between you and your employer. Second, switching schemes. If you were paying National Health Insurance and National Pension yourself, or were a dependent on a spouse's health insurance, you now move to employer-based health insurance and employees' pension. Separate steps at your city office or at your spouse's employer may be needed so you don't keep paying twice. The enrollment paperwork is handled by your employer, not by you. Even if dealing with Japanese paperwork worries you, you do not need to file with a pension office yourself — ask your company's HR contact first. Periods of employees' pension coverage matter later, both for old-age pension and for claiming the lump-sum withdrawal payment when you leave Japan.