Japan widens social insurance cover for part-time workers — now to firms with 51 or more insured employees (in force October 2024)
Source material is a Japanese government announcement (in Japanese); this page is a summary.
From 1 October 2024, part-time workers at firms where the number of employees' pension insurance members regularly exceeds 50 (51 or more) are also covered by health insurance and employees' pension insurance.
Key facts
| In force from | 1 October 2024 (令和6年10月1日) |
|---|---|
| Firms covered | 'Specified covered workplaces' where the total number of employees' pension insurance members regularly exceeds 50 (51 or more) |
| Insurance covered | Health insurance and employees' pension insurance |
| Conditions for part-time workers | Scheduled working hours of 20 hours or more a week / monthly base pay of 88,000 yen or more / expected employment of more than 2 months / not a student — all 4 must be met |
| Further stages | 36 or more from October 2027 → 21 or more from October 2029 → 11 or more from October 2032 |
| Source and administration | Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) |
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From 1 October 2024 Japan widened health insurance and employees' pension insurance cover for part-time workers, bringing in part-time workers at 'specified covered workplaces' — those where the total number of employees' pension insurance members regularly exceeds 50 (51 or more). To be covered, a worker must meet all of the following: scheduled working hours of 20 hours or more a week, monthly base pay of 88,000 yen or more, an expected period of employment of more than 2 months, and not being a student. This continues the step-by-step expansion that began in October 2016 (Heisei 28), with further stages planned: 36 or more from October 2027, 21 or more from October 2029, and 11 or more from October 2032.
Background — why this change
Japan began widening health insurance and employees' pension insurance cover for part-time workers in October 2016 (Heisei 28) and has since broadened the range of firms in stages. The October 2024 expansion brought in firms with 51 or more insured employees ('specified covered workplaces'), and further stages are planned: 36 or more from October 2027, 21 or more from October 2029, and 11 or more from October 2032.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
Summaries reflect national-level programs. Municipal (city/ward/town) programs may differ — confirm with the official desk before applying.
FAQ
How do we tell whether our company is covered?
If the total number of employees' pension insurance members regularly exceeds 50 (51 or more), the company is a 'specified covered workplace' and is covered. Check the exact assessment and notification steps on the Japan Pension Service or the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare special site on the expansion of social insurance cover.
What conditions make a part-time worker covered?
All 4 of these must be met: scheduled working hours of 20 hours or more a week, monthly base pay of 88,000 yen or more, expected employment of more than 2 months, and not being a student.
Will it be widened further?
Yes — the plan is to extend it in stages to firms with 36 or more from October 2027, 21 or more from October 2029, and 11 or more from October 2032.