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Views on the visa/insurance issue

• “I've been using a private health insurance plan for the past three years, first, while working for a major school chain, and then while working for a much smaller private school. It worked very well for me. I would like to keep my private insurance, but I'd consider moving to the public health plan if I was required to. BUT, if I'm required to pay back premium payments, I'll have to leave Japan. I simply don't have enough money to make such payments. I love living and working in Japan. I work very hard here, and try to be as respectful of Japan, it's culture, and it's laws as possible. It would truly be a shame if I and many like me were forced to leave this country because of this requirement.” - A.A., English Teacher [Kanagawa]
• “This unfair legislation may force me to leave a country that I have loved and helped contribute to its citizen's education for nearly half of my life. This legislation may seriously hamper the quality and quantity of non-Japanese who contribute positively to Japanese society. ” -A.C. [Saitama]
• “It is a disgrace and a continuation of discrimination against foreigners. Japan is in breach of many of the UN human rights laws when it comes to foreigners and they continue this because no one takes them to task.”-S.B., Teacher [Tokyo]
• “I have been living in Japan 3 1/2 years now and always been on private insurance. In fact, when I was hired by my employer, they said we were ineligible for shakai hoken because we would only be working 29.5 hrs. a week. We were encouraged to buy private insurance. I was completely UNAWARE that NHI was compulsory. As of now, I don't think I should be penalized with backpay etc. for something I was kind of lied to about. If I am forced to backpay NHI premiums I will simply leave Japan. I can't afford it.” -J.G. [Osaka]
• “To target only non-Japanese is discrimination. Unless, of course, the government is planning to ask Japanese citizens to show their health cards when they renew their driver's licenses or apply for passport renewals.” -Martin Lovatt [Fukuoka]
• “I find it unfair that visa renewal is tied to enrollment in the public insurance. A more acceptable requisite would be to have some kind of health insurance coverage, be it public or private. As a long- time resident of Japan, three years ago I tried to join the NHI but the penalty was so high that I could not afford it; therefore, I have continued with private insurance. If the bill is enforced, I suppose enrollment would be free of penalty.” -C.K.U. [Tokyo]
• “I am already on the national system and have permanent residence, but I abhor the heavy-handed way the government is treating expatriates in this issue.” -N.F. [Kanagawa]
• “I think my Japanese health insurance is great. The system may even work better than the system in the UK, but I can see that it would not be so good for temporary residents and I think people should have the right to choose. If they are going to check all non-Japanese (for insurance cards), they should certainly check all Japanese too.” -A.C. [Tokyo]
• “Ultimately, the passage of this short-sighted act will hurt the Japanese economy, as it will drive away many non-Japanese workers. Aside from the obvious human rights infringement, I appeal to the government to consider such long range consequences.” -Patrick Smyre, HR Manager [Tokyo]
• “The Japanese health insurance system presents serious deficiencies for many foreign residents, as clearly outlined in the Free Choice position statement. If Japan is ever to achieve its goals of being a top international business center, it needs to understand these deficiencies and stop creating problems and obstacles that drive potential foreign residents to more welcoming alternatives like Singapore and Hong Kong. In any case, linking health insurance coverage with visa eligibility is highly inappropriate and is, in my view, a clumsy attempt by the government to create a bludgeon that it can use against "undesirable" foreign residents.” -J.T., Business Manager [Tokyo]
• “Visas and health care are completely separate issues, and thus should not be tied to together. The government's attempt to make visa renewal contingent on public health care enrollment is a blatant abuse of power. We must NOT allow this to happen!” G.W., Univ. Lecturer [Chiba]
• “The Japanese government has the moral responsibility to consult at length with foreign communities in Japan before creating policies that will significantly affect those communities.” -M.A., Journalist [Chiba]
• “I worked for many years in a part-time position for a major Japanese-owned English school chain where I was not required by law to join the health or pension plans. In Japan, I have always had private health insurance, for the reasons indicated in this petition. I've lived in Japan since 1993. I married a Japanese citizen and I have a spouse visa. I always pay all applicable taxes. I abide by all the rules. The Japanese government now imposes health-insurance visa-renewal requirements. The Japanese government has not provided any information to non Japanese residents! The government thinks it is okay to surprise visa-renewal applicants at the time of renewal at the immigration center counter. The whole scenario is the first time I've felt that I'm not wanted in Japan. The Japanese government treats me and other non-Japanese in this manner. It disgusts me.” -M.W. [Tokyo]
• “As a permanent resident married to a Japanese national I've been enrolled in the Japanese National Health Insurance scheme for over 30 years. It has served my family well for most health issues, but there have been many times that I (as the foreign member of our family) have used private English speaking doctors here in Japan or even returned to my home country to consult with doctors, and of course have paid these fees out of my own pocket. While we live here in Japan we'll continue to pay into and make use of the Japanese health care system, but I can fully appreciate and understand the concerns of the majority of foreigners here who wish to have "free choice" regarding the health care system they pay into. I resent the government even considering basing something like visa renewal on enrollment in the Japanese health system which does not meet the needs of so many foreign residents here. I sincerely hope that this petition and comments from foreigners will move the newly installed prime minister and his cabinet to consider the health care rights of foreigners to choose the health plan best suited to each individual.” -S.S., Teacher [Tokyo]