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Japan’s Employee Health Insurance (Shakai Hoken) offers significant advantages over the National Health Insurance system (Kokumin Kenko Hoken), providing comprehensive protection for employees and their families.

The cost-sharing structure stands out as a key benefit. Premiums are split equally between employer and employee, with employees paying just 4.92% of their salary to cover their entire family. In contrast, those enrolled in Kokumin Kenko Hoken must bear the full premium cost, with each family member requiring separate enrolment.

The Shakai Hoken system includes two vital benefits absent from Kokumin Health Insurance: Injury and Sickness Allowance and Maternity Allowance. These provide approximately two-thirds of salary during extended illness (up to 18 months) and maternity leave of 42 days (98 days in the case of twins) before and 56 days after childbirth. This income protection proves invaluable during periods when employees cannot work.

The system also features a more accessible High-Cost Medical Expense System and simpler administration, with employers handling the enrolment process. Additionally, premiums are waived during maternity leave, demonstrating the system’s support during important life events.

Shakai Hoken thus serves as a comprehensive social security system, offering not just medical coverage but income protection and family support. These features make it distinctly superior to the basic Kokumin Kenko Hoken system.[[