You hand in your resignation letter, work your last day, and walk out of the office — and then someone asks you: “Have you collected your 離職票 yet?” You nod, but quietly wonder: isn’t that the same as the 退職証明書? And what about the 源泉徴収票 your accountant mentioned? And what on earth is a 雇用保険被保険者証?
Leaving a job in Japan involves a stack of documents, and each one serves a different purpose. Get them mixed up and you might miss your window to apply for unemployment benefits, pay the wrong amount of tax, or fail to enroll in national health insurance on time. For foreign residents, the stakes are even higher: some of these documents affect your visa renewal paperwork and insurance obligations. This guide explains all four core documents clearly, shows you exactly when and where each one is used, and gives you a ready-made checklist to take with you on your last day.
The four words covered here are: 離職票（りしょくひょう）, 退職証明書（たいしょくしょうめいしょ）, 源泉徴収票（げんせんちょうしゅうひょう）, and 雇用保険被保険者証（こようほけんひほけんしゃしょう）. They are all related to leaving a job, but each one goes to a completely different place — and confusing them is one of the most common mistakes that English-speaking learners and foreign workers in Japan make.
| Document | Reading | Issued by | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 離職票 | りしょくひょう (rishokuhyou) | ハローワーク (via employer) | Applying for unemployment benefits |
| 退職証明書 | たいしょくしょうめいしょ (taishoku shoumeisho) | Former employer (on request) | Proving resignation to new employer, city hall, insurance |
| 源泉徴収票 | げんせんちょうしゅうひょう (gensen choushuuhyou) | Former employer | Year-end tax adjustment or 確定申告 |
| 雇用保険被保険者証 | こようほけんひほけんしゃしょう (koyou hoken hihokenshashou) | Former employer (returns to employee) | Transferring employment insurance number to new employer |
Quick Answer: 離職票 vs 退職証明書 vs 源泉徴収票 vs 雇用保険被保険者証
Before diving into the details, here is the one-sentence version of each document.
離職票（りしょくひょう）
離職票 is the document you bring to ハローワーク (Hello Work, Japan’s public employment agency) to apply for 失業給付（しつぎょうきゅうふ）— unemployment benefits. It comes from your employer via ハローワーク and shows the reason you left your job, which directly affects how quickly your benefits start.
退職証明書（たいしょくしょうめいしょ）
退職証明書 is a certificate issued directly by your former employer confirming that you have resigned and that your employment has ended. You request it yourself. It is used when starting a new job, enrolling in health insurance at city hall, or proving your work history to any institution that requires it.
源泉徴収票（げんせんちょうしゅうひょう）
源泉徴収票 is a withholding tax slip that shows the total salary your employer paid you and the total income tax withheld during that year. You hand it to your new employer for the year-end tax adjustment (年末調整（ねんまつちょうせい）), or use it when filing your own tax return (確定申告（かくていしんこく）) if you do not start a new job before the end of the year.
雇用保険被保険者証（こようほけんひほけんしゃしょう）
雇用保険被保険者証 is a small card or document that carries your individual 雇用保険被保険者番号（こようほけんひほけんしゃばんごう）— your employment insurance ID number. This number follows you from job to job throughout your career. Your former employer returns it to you when you leave, and you hand it to your new employer on your first day.
What Does 離職票 Mean?
離職票 as the unemployment benefit procedure document
離職（りしょく）means “leaving one’s job.” 票（ひょう）means “slip” or “certificate.” So 離職票 is literally the “job-separation slip.” It is the official document that certifies to ハローワーク that you have left your job and are eligible to begin the process of applying for unemployment benefits.
There is an important distinction that even intermediate learners miss: the document your employer submits to ハローワーク is called the 離職証明書（りしょくしょうめいしょ）. Based on that submission, ハローワーク issues the 離職票, which then goes to you, the employee. In other words:
| Document | Who has it | Direction |
|---|---|---|
| 離職証明書（りしょくしょうめいしょ） | Employer submits to ハローワーク | Employer → ハローワーク |
| 離職票（りしょくひょう） | Employee receives from ハローワーク (via employer) | ハローワーク → Employee |
Many people search for 離職証明書 thinking they will receive it — they will not. The document in your hands is always called 離職票.
離職理由 — why the reason matters
The 離職票 includes a field for 離職理由（りしょくりゆう）— the reason for leaving. This is one of the most important parts of the document because it determines how soon your unemployment benefits begin.
- Company-initiated (解雇（かいこ）, 倒産（とうさん）, 契約期間満了（けいやくきかんまんりょう）など) — Benefits begin faster, usually around 7 days after registration
- Voluntary resignation (自己都合（じこつごう）) — There is a mandatory waiting period (給付制限（きゅうふせいげん）) of up to 2 months before benefits start
Always check that the 離職理由 written on the document matches reality. If it is incorrect, you have the right to dispute it at ハローワーク.
When the document may not arrive automatically
Not all companies send the 離職票 to you automatically. Some require you to explicitly request it in writing before your last day. If you plan to apply for unemployment benefits, confirm the process with your HR department (総務部（そうむぶ）or 人事部（じんじぶ）) before you leave. The document typically arrives 10–14 days after your resignation date.
Example 1: 離職票はハローワークで失業給付の申請に使います。
Rishokuhyou wa Haaroowaaku de shitsugyou kyuufu no shinsei ni tsukaimasu.
You use the 離職票 to apply for unemployment benefits at Hello Work.
Example 2: 離職票が届いたら、なるべく早くハローワークへ行ってください。
Rishokuhyou ga todoi-tara, narubeku hayaku Haaroowaaku e itte kudasai.
Once your 離職票 arrives, please go to Hello Work as soon as possible.
Example 3: 離職証明書と離職票は別のものです。社員が受け取るのは離職票です。
Rishoku shoumeisho to rishokuhyou wa betsu no mono desu. Shain ga uketoru no wa rishokuhyou desu.
The 離職証明書 and 離職票 are different documents. What the employee receives is the 離職票.
YukaSo my company gives the 離職証明書 to Hello Work, and Hello Work gives the 離職票 to me? I had no idea they were two different documents!
ReiExactly! That is the most common point of confusion. The 離職証明書 is the company’s paperwork to Hello Work. The 離職票 is what you hold in your hands and bring to Hello Work yourself to start your benefit application. Think of it as: company files first, then you receive yours.
What Does 退職証明書 Mean?
退職証明書 as resignation confirmation
退職（たいしょく）means “resignation” or “retirement from a job.” 証明書（しょうめいしょ）means “certificate” or “proof document.” So 退職証明書 is a certificate from your former employer proving that you have resigned and that your employment has officially ended on a specific date.
Unlike the 離職票, which goes through ハローワーク, the 退職証明書 is issued directly by your employer when you request it. There is no government involvement. Its content is flexible — depending on what you need, it can certify any combination of the following:
- 退職日（たいしょくび）— the date your employment ended
- 在職期間（ざいしょくきかん）— the period you were employed
- 業務内容（ぎょうむないよう）— the type of work you performed
- 役職（やくしょく）— your job title or position
- 退職理由（たいしょくりゆう）— the reason for resignation (included only if you request it)
Where you use 退職証明書
The 退職証明書 is used in a wider range of situations than the 離職票 because it serves as a general-purpose proof of employment history and resignation.
| Situation | Why 退職証明書 is needed |
|---|---|
| Starting a new job | New employer may request it to confirm your previous employment period |
| Enrolling in 国民健康保険 at city hall | City hall may require proof that your company health insurance has ended |
| Applying for 国民年金 (National Pension) | Used to confirm employment gap period |
| Visa renewal (foreign residents) | May be needed to explain a gap in employment on a work visa |
| Renting an apartment after resignation | Landlord or guarantor company may request evidence of previous employment |
You must request it — it is not automatic
This is critical: your company will not automatically hand you a 退職証明書. You need to request it explicitly — ideally in writing, before your last day. Under Japanese labor law (労働基準法（ろうどうきじゅんほう）第22条), employers are legally required to issue this document when an employee requests it. Do not leave without requesting it if you know you will need it.
Example 1: 退職証明書を発行していただけますか？
Taishoku shoumeisho wo hakkou shite itadakemasu ka?
Could you please issue me a 退職証明書?
Example 2: 転職先の会社に提出するため、退職証明書が必要です。
Tenshoku-saki no kaisha ni teishutsu suru tame, taishoku shoumeisho ga hitsuyou desu.
I need a 退職証明書 to submit to my new employer.
Example 3: 退職証明書は市役所での健康保険手続きにも使えます。
Taishoku shoumeisho wa shiyakusho de no kenkou hoken tetsuzuki ni mo tsukaemasu.
The 退職証明書 can also be used for health insurance procedures at city hall.
What Does 源泉徴収票 Mean?
源泉徴収票 as the withholding tax slip
源泉徴収（げんせんちょうしゅう）refers to “withholding at the source” — the practice of deducting income tax from each paycheck before it reaches your bank account. 票 means “slip.” So 源泉徴収票 is the annual slip that summarizes how much your employer paid you and how much tax was withheld across the whole year.
Think of it as the Japanese equivalent of a W-2 form (US), a P60 (UK), or a group certificate (Australia). It is a tax document, not a job-change document — but it becomes essential when you change jobs because the tax calculation for the year spans both your old and new employers.
What information appears on the 源泉徴収票
| Field | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 支払金額 | しはらいきんがく | Total salary paid (gross income for the year from this employer) |
| 給与所得控除後の金額 | きゅうよしょとくこうじょごのきんがく | Income after employment income deduction |
| 源泉徴収税額 | げんせんちょうしゅうぜいがく | Total income tax withheld |
| 社会保険料等の金額 | しゃかいほけんりょうとうのきんがく | Total social insurance premiums withheld (health, pension, employment insurance) |
| 扶養親族の数 | ふようしんぞくのかず | Number of dependents declared |
When you use the 源泉徴収票 after resignation
There are two common scenarios after leaving a job mid-year:
- You start a new job before December 31 of the same year: Hand the 源泉徴収票 from your former employer to your new employer’s HR department. They use it to combine the income from both jobs and calculate the correct tax for the full year — this is the 年末調整（ねんまつちょうせい）process. If you forget, your tax calculation will be incomplete, and you may owe additional tax or miss a refund.
- You do not start a new job before year-end: You must file your own 確定申告（かくていしんこく）— a tax return — at the tax office (税務署（ぜいむしょ）) the following February or March. Your 源泉徴収票 is the core document you need for this filing.
Example 1: 転職先に源泉徴収票を提出しないと、年末調整が正しく行われません。
Tenshoku-saki ni gensen choushuuhyou wo teishutsu shinai to, nenmatsuchousei ga tadashiku okonawaremasen.
If you do not submit the withholding slip to your new employer, the year-end tax adjustment will not be done correctly.
Example 2: 退職後に確定申告をする場合は、源泉徴収票が必要です。
Taishoku-go ni kakutei shinkoku wo suru baai wa, gensen choushuuhyou ga hitsuyou desu.
If you are filing a tax return after resignation, you will need your withholding slip.
Example 3: 源泉徴収票は退職後に会社から郵送されることが多いです。
Gensen choushuuhyou wa taishoku-go ni kaisha kara yuusou sareru koto ga ooi desu.
Withholding slips are often mailed to you by the company after you leave.
What Does 雇用保険被保険者証 Mean?
雇用保険被保険者証 as your employment insurance ID
雇用保険（こようほけん）is Japan’s employment insurance system — the system that pays unemployment benefits and various other allowances. 被保険者（ひほけんしゃ）means “insured person.” 証（しょう）means “certificate” or “proof.” Put it together and you have: the certificate proving you are an insured person under the employment insurance system.
The most important thing on this document is your 雇用保険被保険者番号（こようほけんひほけんしゃばんごう） — your employment insurance number. This is a permanent number that stays the same throughout your entire working life in Japan. Every time you change jobs, this number is what links your insurance records from one employer to the next.
What happens to this document when you change jobs
When you leave a company, HR should return your 雇用保険被保険者証 to you along with your other resignation documents. On your first day at the new company, you hand it to the new employer’s HR department. They use the number to register you under the employment insurance system at your new workplace — no new number is issued.
If you have lost the card, do not panic. You can have it reissued at any ハローワーク office by bringing your My Number card (マイナンバーカード) or another form of ID. Your number will be the same as before.
雇用保険被保険者証 vs 健康保険証 — a common confusion
Many learners confuse these two cards because both are insurance-related and both are associated with employment.
| 雇用保険被保険者証 | 健康保険証（けんこうほけんしょう） | |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance type | Employment insurance (雇用保険) | Health insurance (健康保険) |
| Covers | Unemployment, childcare leave, etc. | Medical treatment costs |
| Managed by | ハローワーク (Ministry of Health) | Health insurance association or 全国健康保険協会 |
| When you leave a job | Returned to you; pass to next employer | Must return to employer; lose eligibility (資格喪失) |
| After resignation | Kept by employee, transferred forward | Must join 国民健康保険 or new employer’s plan |
Example 1: 雇用保険被保険者証は次の会社に入社するときに提出してください。
Koyou hoken hihokenshashou wa tsugi no kaisha ni nyuusha suru toki ni teishutsu shite kudasai.
Please submit your employment insurance insured certificate when joining your next company.
Example 2: 雇用保険被保険者証をなくした場合は、ハローワークで再発行できます。
Koyou hoken hihokenshashou wo nakushita baai wa, Haaroowaaku de saihakkou dekimasu.
If you have lost your employment insurance insured certificate, you can have it reissued at Hello Work.
YukaSo the 雇用保険被保険者証 is like a card that stays with me for my whole career? I just pass it to each new company I join?
ReiExactly. The number on it never changes. Think of it like a social security number for employment insurance — it is yours for life. Every time you switch jobs in Japan, that same number gets used. Keep it safe, and if you lose it, just bring ID to Hello Work to get a replacement.
離職票 vs 退職証明書
Unemployment document vs resignation proof
These are the two documents that Japanese learners and foreign workers confuse most often. Both relate to the fact that you have left a company — but they have entirely different purposes, different issuers, and go to completely different places.
| 離職票（りしょくひょう） | 退職証明書（たいしょくしょうめいしょ） | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Apply for unemployment benefits | Prove resignation to new employer, city hall, institutions |
| Issued by | ハローワーク (via employer’s submission) | Former employer directly |
| How to get it | Employer files 離職証明書; ハローワーク issues 離職票 to you | You request it from HR before leaving |
| Submitted to | ハローワーク (for benefit application) | New employer, city hall, insurance office, visa authority |
| Includes 離職理由 | Yes — affects benefit start date | Only if employee requests this information |
| Is it consumed after use? | Yes — submitted once at ハローワーク | Can be used multiple times (request multiple copies) |
| JLPT relevance | N3–N2 reading comprehension contexts | N3–N2 practical document vocabulary |
Key distinction: issuance route
The simplest way to remember the difference: 離職票 takes a detour through ハローワーク before it reaches you, while 退職証明書 goes directly from your employer to you when you ask for it. The involvement of ハローワーク is what makes 離職票 the official unemployment system document.
Common mistakes at this comparison point
- Thinking you can use 退職証明書 at ハローワーク to claim benefits — you cannot. ハローワーク requires the 離職票.
- Assuming 離職票 is enough to prove your resignation to a new employer or city hall — it is not the right document for that. Use 退職証明書.
- Not requesting 退職証明書 before leaving, then realizing weeks later that you need it when enrolling in national health insurance.
離職票 vs 雇用保険被保険者証
Two different employment insurance documents
Both 離職票 and 雇用保険被保険者証 relate to the 雇用保険 system, which is why they are easy to confuse. But their roles are opposite: one marks the end of your enrollment at one company, while the other carries your permanent ID into the next.
| 離職票 | 雇用保険被保険者証 | |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Triggers unemployment benefit eligibility | Carries your permanent employment insurance number |
| When used | When you are NOT going to a new job immediately | Every time you join a new company |
| Where submitted | ハローワーク (once, for benefit application) | New employer’s HR (on day one) |
| After submission | “Consumed” — stays at ハローワーク | Employer keeps it during employment, returns it when you leave again |
| If you lose it | Can be reissued at ハローワーク with explanation | Can be reissued at ハローワーク with ID |
The practical sequence on your last day
When you leave a company, you should receive both documents. The sequence goes like this:
- Company submits 離職証明書 to ハローワーク → ハローワーク issues 離職票 → you receive 離職票 (about 10–14 days after last day)
- Company returns 雇用保険被保険者証 to you (usually on or shortly after your last day)
- If you are joining a new company: hand 雇用保険被保険者証 to new HR on day one; keep 離職票 in your file (you will not need it if you start work right away)
- If you are not joining a new company: bring 離職票 to ハローワーク to start your unemployment benefit application
After Resignation: Documents Checklist
Here is the full list of documents to collect when you leave a job in Japan. Some will arrive automatically; others you need to actively request. Use this as your exit checklist.
| Document | Source | Submit to | Deadline / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 離職票（りしょくひょう） | ハローワーク via employer | ハローワーク | Bring within 1 year of resignation for benefit eligibility |
| 退職証明書（たいしょくしょうめいしょ） | Former employer (must request) | New employer, city hall, insurance office | Request before your last day |
| 源泉徴収票（げんせんちょうしゅうひょう） | Former employer (issued around year-end or on request) | New employer (for 年末調整) or tax office (for 確定申告) | Essential before year-end tax processing |
| 雇用保険被保険者証（こようほけんひほけんしゃしょう） | Former employer returns to you | New employer (on day one) | Keep safe — permanent lifetime ID number |
| 健康保険資格喪失証明書（けんこうほけんしかくそうしつしょうめいしょ） | Former employer or health insurance association | City hall (市区町村役場) | Needed to enroll in 国民健康保険 — must enroll within 14 days of losing coverage |
| 年金手帳（ねんきんてちょう）/ 基礎年金番号（きそねんきんばんごう） | In your possession (or employer returns it) | New employer or 年金事務所 | Needed to switch to 国民年金 or enroll in new company pension |
Special note for foreign residents
If you are a foreign resident on a work-related visa (就労ビザ（しゅうろうビザ）), there are two additional considerations after resignation:
- 健康保険資格喪失証明書 and 国民健康保険 — Foreign residents are required to enroll in 国民健康保険（こくみんけんこうほけん）at city hall within 14 days of losing your company health insurance. You will need the 健康保険資格喪失証明書 to do this. Missing this window does not remove the legal obligation — you may be billed for back premiums.
- 在留資格（ざいりゅうしかく）and visa status — Depending on your visa type, a period without employment may require you to notify immigration or affect your visa renewal. The 退職証明書 can be used as one piece of evidence showing when your employment ended, but note that it is a labor document, not an immigration document. Consult a 行政書士（ぎょうせいしょし）— administrative scrivener — or the immigration bureau if you are uncertain about how resignation affects your visa status.
Example: 退職後14日以内に市役所で国民健康保険の加入手続きをする必要があります。
Taishoku-go 14-nichi inai ni shiyakusho de kokumin kenkou hoken no kanyuu tetsuzuki wo suru hitsuyou ga arimasu.
You need to complete the enrollment procedure for national health insurance at city hall within 14 days of resignation.
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
Mistake 1: Thinking 離職票 and 退職証明書 are the same document
They sound similar and both prove you left a company — but they serve completely different functions, go to different places, and are issued through different routes. Arriving at ハローワーク with a 退職証明書 will not start your unemployment benefit application. Handing your 離職票 to city hall to enroll in health insurance is also incorrect. Keep them clearly separated in your mind.
Mistake 2: Forgetting to submit 源泉徴収票 to your new employer
If you do not hand your 源泉徴収票 from your old job to the HR department of your new job, they cannot calculate your tax correctly for the year. This can result in you underpaying tax (and receiving a bill later) or overpaying (and missing a refund). Make a habit of handing it in during your first week at the new company.
Mistake 3: Not checking 離職理由 on the 離職票
The reason recorded on your 離職票 — voluntary resignation (自己都合（じこつごう）) versus company-initiated (会社都合（かいしゃつごう）) — can mean the difference between waiting two months for benefits to start or receiving them within about 7 days. Always read this section carefully when the document arrives. If it is wrong, you can dispute it at ハローワーク.
Mistake 4: Confusing 雇用保険被保険者証 with 健康保険証
Both are insurance cards associated with your employment, but they cover completely different systems. Your 健康保険証 covers medical expenses and must be returned to your employer when you leave. Your 雇用保険被保険者証 covers unemployment and related benefits, and it goes home with you. You cannot use one in place of the other.
Mistake 5: Leaving the company without requesting 退職証明書
Once you have left, requesting the certificate becomes slower and may involve written communication with a company you no longer work at. It is far easier to request it in person before your last day. Even if you are not sure you will need it, requesting one copy as a precaution is good practice.
Mistake 6: Assuming 退職証明書 serves as proof of visa status
This is particularly relevant for foreign residents. The 退職証明書 shows that you left your job and when — it is a labor document. It does not address your visa or residence status. If your visa is tied to your employer and you resign, you may need to contact the immigration bureau or a professional. Do not rely on 退職証明書 alone for visa-related matters.
Vocabulary Reference: Key Resignation and Job-Change Terms
Here is a reference table of all the related vocabulary that appears in resignation paperwork, HR conversations, and ハローワーク procedures.
| Term | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 離職票 | りしょくひょう | Job separation certificate (for unemployment benefits at Hello Work) |
| 離職証明書 | りしょくしょうめいしょ | Employer’s application submitted to Hello Work (employee does NOT receive this) |
| 退職証明書 | たいしょくしょうめいしょ | Resignation certificate issued by employer on employee’s request |
| 源泉徴収票 | げんせんちょうしゅうひょう | Withholding tax slip (annual salary and tax summary) |
| 雇用保険被保険者証 | こようほけんひほけんしゃしょう | Employment insurance insured certificate (carries permanent insurance number) |
| 健康保険資格喪失証明書 | けんこうほけんしかくそうしつしょうめいしょ | Health insurance loss-of-eligibility certificate (needed for 国民健康保険 enrollment) |
| 年金手帳 | ねんきんてちょう | Pension notebook (contains 基礎年金番号) |
| 基礎年金番号 | きそねんきんばんごう | Basic pension number (permanent national pension ID) |
| 失業給付 | しつぎょうきゅうふ | Unemployment benefits |
| ハローワーク | ハローワーク | Hello Work — public employment security office |
| 離職理由 | りしょくりゆう | Reason for leaving a job (on 離職票) |
| 自己都合 | じこつごう | Voluntary resignation (self-initiated) |
| 会社都合 | かいしゃつごう | Company-initiated separation (layoff, closure, etc.) |
| 給付制限 | きゅうふせいげん | Waiting period before unemployment benefits begin (applies to 自己都合) |
| 年末調整 | ねんまつちょうせい | Year-end tax adjustment (done by employer) |
| 確定申告 | かくていしんこく | Annual tax return (filed by individual) |
| 国民健康保険 | こくみんけんこうほけん | National health insurance (for those not covered by employer insurance) |
| 退職届 | たいしょくとどけ | Formal resignation letter (declares your decision to resign) |
| 退職願 | たいしょくねがい | Resignation request letter (asks employer for permission to resign) |
Decision Rule: Which Resignation Document Do You Need?
Use this flowchart to quickly identify which document fits your situation.
Do you want to apply for unemployment benefits?
YES → You need: 離職票 (bring to ハローワーク)
NO → Continue below
Do you need to prove you resigned to a new employer, city hall, or institution?
YES → You need: 退職証明書 (request from former employer)
NO → Continue below
Do you need salary and tax information for year-end adjustment or tax filing?
YES → You need: 源泉徴収票 (issued by former employer; hand to new employer or use for 確定申告)
NO → Continue below
Are you starting a new job and need to complete your employment insurance registration?
YES → You need: 雇用保険被保険者証 (returned to you by former employer; hand to new employer HR)
Did you lose company health insurance and need to enroll in national health insurance?
YES → You need: 健康保険資格喪失証明書 (from former employer or health insurance association; bring to city hall within 14 days)In most cases, you will need all of these documents eventually. The question is simply which one you need first and where to take it.
If you want to practice using all of this vocabulary in real conversations — asking HR questions, discussing resignation procedures, or preparing for job interviews in Japanese — working with a native Japanese tutor is one of the most effective ways to build confidence. italki connects you with professional Japanese teachers and community tutors for one-on-one online lessons. It is especially useful for practicing formal language like the kind found in workplace and administrative settings.
Quick Quiz
Test your understanding of the four key resignation documents and related vocabulary.
Question 1: You have just resigned and want to apply for unemployment benefits. Which office do you go to and which document do you bring?
A) City hall — 退職証明書
B) ハローワーク — 離職票
C) Tax office — 源泉徴収票
D) ハローワーク — 離職証明書
Answer: B — You bring your 離職票 to ハローワーク. (D is wrong because 離職証明書 is the document your employer submits, not what you hold.)
Question 2: Your new employer asks for a document from your previous company to confirm your employment end date and work history. What do they want?
A) 離職票
B) 源泉徴収票
C) 退職証明書
D) 雇用保険被保険者証
Answer: C — 退職証明書 is the general-purpose resignation and employment history certificate issued by your former employer.
Question 3: You resigned in June and plan to file a tax return yourself in February. Which document do you need for that filing?
A) 退職証明書
B) 離職票
C) 源泉徴収票
D) 健康保険資格喪失証明書
Answer: C — 源泉徴収票 is the withholding tax slip used for 確定申告.
Question 4: You start a new job on Monday. HR asks you to bring a specific document that carries your permanent employment insurance number. What is it?
A) 年金手帳
B) 雇用保険被保険者証
C) 離職票
D) 退職証明書
Answer: B — The 雇用保険被保険者証 carries your lifetime employment insurance number and goes to each new employer.
Question 5: You resigned voluntarily (自己都合). How does this affect your 失業給付?
A) Benefits start immediately
B) You are not eligible for benefits at all
C) There is a waiting period (給付制限) before benefits start
D) 離職理由 has no effect on benefits
Answer: C — Voluntary resignation triggers 給付制限 — a waiting period (currently up to 2 months) before unemployment benefits begin.
Question 6: You are a foreign resident who just lost your company health insurance. Within how many days must you enroll in 国民健康保険, and which document do you need?
A) 30 days — 退職証明書
B) 60 days — 離職票
C) 14 days — 健康保険資格喪失証明書
D) 7 days — 源泉徴収票
Answer: C — You must enroll in 国民健康保険 within 14 days, and you need the 健康保険資格喪失証明書 to do so at city hall.
If you are navigating these procedures in real life, bookmark this page and share it with other foreign workers in Japan who might be going through a job change. Leave a comment below if you have questions about any of these documents — especially if there is a situation that the guide above did not cover.
Keep Learning
If you found this guide useful, these related articles will help you build a stronger foundation in practical Japanese for daily life and work.
