Money Hub Japan > English > Unemployment Benefit
For foreign workers
Japan Unemployment Benefit Calculator
If you paid into employment insurance (koyo hoken) and lose your job, you can claim the basic allowance via Hello Work. Estimate your daily benefit, how many days you’ll receive, and the total.
Inputs
×10,000 JPY
years
Estimated unemployment benefit
Total basic allowance
1,070,820JPY
- Daily wage (chingin nichigaku)
- 10,000 JPY
- Daily benefitpayout rate 59%
- 5,949 JPY
- Benefit days
- 180 days
- Waiting periodno restriction
- 7 days
Estimate for FY2026. Voluntary leavers face a 7-day waiting period plus a ~2-month payment restriction; involuntary leavers (layoff, contract non-renewal) start after just the 7-day wait and get more benefit days. Apply at Hello Work with your rishokuhyo (separation slip).
Key points
- Eligibility: generally 12 months of coverage in the last 2 years (only 6 months for involuntary loss).
- Daily benefit ≈ 50–80% of your pre-separation daily wage (lower earners get a higher rate), within age-based caps.
- Benefit days depend on reason, age and years insured — involuntary leavers get more (up to 330 days).
- Voluntary leavers: 7-day wait + ~2-month payment restriction. Involuntary: just the 7-day wait.
- You must be able and willing to work and actively job-hunting; bring your rishokuhyo and residence card to Hello Work.
FAQ
- Q. Can foreign workers claim it?
- Yes, if you were enrolled in employment insurance and have a status of residence that allows continued work and job-seeking. You must intend to keep working in Japan. If you are leaving Japan permanently, you generally cannot claim it (consider the pension lump-sum withdrawal instead).
- Q. What is a “rishokuhyo”?
- The separation certificate your employer issues. It states your reason for leaving and your wage history, which Hello Work uses to determine your benefit. Confirm the stated reason is correct — it changes your waiting period and benefit days.
Estimate for FY2026 using representative rates and caps. The official daily-benefit formula is a continuous function; actual amounts are set by Hello Work. See the Japanese version for more detail.