GUIDE · HIRING
Hiring and social insurance
雇用と社会保険Shakai hoken, rodo hoken and work rules
Every company in Japan — even one with only its director — must enroll in health and pension insurance. Here is what to set up before your first payday.
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Companies
All
Must enroll in pension and health insurance
Deadline
5 days
To enroll a new employee
Work rules
10+
Employees: required by law
Grants
Yes
For hiring and raising pay
Labor insurance
| Insurance | Japanese | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Workers’ accident compensation | 労災保険 | Injuries at work and on the way to work — for employees |
| Employment insurance | 雇用保険 | Unemployment benefits and many employment grants — for employees who meet the hours rules |
Directors are usually not covered by labor insurance. Employment insurance enrollment is also what makes you eligible for most labor-ministry grants.
Contracts and work rules
- Give every employee written working conditions (pay, hours, holidays)
- With 10 or more employees, you must write work rules and file them with the labor standards office
- Track working hours and overtime from the start — see Attendance and payroll
- Pay at least the minimum wage for your prefecture — it changes every year, so check the official list
Grants that help with hiring
Employment grants (joseikin) can pay part of the cost of turning staff into regular employees or raising wages. Start with the Career-Up Grant and the Work Improvement Grant. Most require clear work rules and attendance records.
- Trial Employment Grant — a three-month trial hire through Hello Work
- Human Resource Development Grant — training your staff
- Childcare leave grants — fathers’ leave and returns to work
FAQ
Does a one-person company in Japan need social insurance?
Yes. A corporation is a covered workplace regardless of headcount, and officers and representatives working there must be enrolled in Employees’ Pension and Health Insurance.
How soon must I enroll a new employee in social insurance?
The employer must file the enrollment application within 5 days after the employee starts work.
When do I need work rules in Japan?
An employer with 10 or more employees must write work rules and file them with the labor standards inspection office. Smaller companies benefit from clear rules too, especially when applying for grants.
Sources
- Enrollment in Employees’ Pension and Health Insurance — Japan Pension Service
- Model work rules (モデル就業規則) — Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
- Setting up business in Japan — personnel and social insurance — JETRO
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
NEED HELP IN ENGLISH?
Talk to an English-speaking expert
Sharoshi (labor and social security attorneys) who handle insurance, work rules and grants for foreign employers — in English.
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USEFUL TOOLS
- Kintai Cloud — attendance tracking for small businesses ↗Japanese-language service
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Social insurance: from day one