You have just handed in your resignation letter. Your manager says you will receive a 離職票（りしょくひょう）within a few weeks. You nod — but you have no idea what that is or what to do with it. Your payslip shows a deduction for 雇用保険（こようほけん）every month. Is that the same as 失業給付（しつぎょうきゅうふ）? And what happens if you get hurt on the way to work — does 雇用保険 cover that too?
These four terms come up constantly for foreign workers living and working in Japan, yet they are easy to confuse because they all relate to employment, insurance, and benefits. They are not interchangeable. 雇用保険 is the insurance system itself. 労災保険（ろうさいほけん）is a completely separate system covering workplace injuries. 失業給付 is the money you receive after losing your job. And 離職票 is the document you need before you can even apply for that money.
This guide breaks down all four terms clearly, explains the procedures involved, and covers everything foreign residents in Japan need to know when navigating Japan’s employment safety net.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 雇用保険 | こようほけん (koyou hoken) | Employment insurance | Insurance system (deducted from salary) |
| 労災保険 | ろうさいほけん (rousai hoken) | Workers’ compensation insurance | Insurance system (employer pays) |
| 失業給付 | しつぎょうきゅうふ (shitsugyou kyuufu) | Unemployment benefits | Benefit paid out from 雇用保険 |
| 離職票 | りしょくひょう (rishokuhyou) | Job separation document | Document required to apply for 失業給付 |
Quick Answer: 雇用保険 vs 労災保険 vs 失業給付 vs 離職票
Here is the essential distinction before we go deeper into each term.
雇用保険（こようほけん） is Japan’s employment insurance system. You are enrolled in it automatically when you work enough hours. A small amount is deducted from your salary every month. This system provides money when you lose your job, take childcare leave, or need job training support.
労災保険（ろうさいほけん） is a completely separate insurance system that covers you if you are injured or become ill because of your work — including accidents that happen on your commute. Your employer pays the full premium. You do not see a deduction on your payslip for this one.
失業給付（しつぎょうきゅうふ） is the benefit — the actual money — paid to you from 雇用保険 after you lose your job and register as a job seeker. The official name is 基本手当（きほんてあて）but 失業手当（しつぎょうてあて）and 失業給付 are both commonly used in everyday conversation.
離職票（りしょくひょう） is the document your employer issues after you resign or are let go. Without it, you cannot apply for 失業給付 at the public employment office called ハローワーク.
What Does 雇用保険 Mean?
雇用保険 as an Insurance System
雇用保険 literally means “employment insurance.” It is a government-managed social insurance program that protects workers in multiple situations — not just unemployment. The system covers:
- 失業給付（しつぎょうきゅうふ） — unemployment benefits when you lose your job
- 育児休業給付（いくじきゅうぎょうきゅうふ） — childcare leave benefits
- 介護休業給付（かいごきゅうぎょうきゅうふ） — nursing care leave benefits
- 教育訓練給付（きょういくくんれんきゅうふ） — support for approved job training courses
Deducted from Your Salary — 給与から天引きされる
Every month, a portion of your salary is automatically withheld and sent to the government. In Japanese, this is called 天引き（てんびき） — payroll deduction. The 雇用保険 premium rate for employees (as of 2024) is 0.6% of your monthly salary for most industries. Your employer also contributes a share on top of that. The deduction appears on your payslip (給与明細（きゅうよめいさい）) as 雇用保険料（こようほけんりょう）.
Example payslip line:
雇用保険料：3,600円
Koyou hoken ryou: 3,600 en
Employment insurance premium: 3,600 yen
Enrollment Conditions — 加入条件
You are enrolled in 雇用保険 automatically if both conditions are met:
- Your employment is expected to last 31 days or more
- You work 20 hours or more per week
Part-time workers and non-Japanese residents who meet these conditions are enrolled on exactly the same terms as Japanese workers. The key requirement for foreign residents is having a 在留資格（ざいりゅうしかく） — a residence status that allows you to work in Japan.
雇用保険被保険者証 — Your Insurance Card
When you are enrolled, you are issued a 雇用保険被保険者証（こようほけんひほけんしゃしょう） — an employment insurance insured person card. This card contains your individual insurance number (被保険者番号（ひほけんしゃばんごう）), which follows you from job to job. Keep this card in a safe place. When you start a new job, you give the number to your new employer so your insurance history carries over.
YukaI just got my first payslip and I see 雇用保険料 deducted. What exactly am I paying for?
ReiThat deduction is your monthly contribution to Japan’s employment insurance system. Think of it as a safety net — if you ever lose your job or need to take childcare leave, this fund is what pays you during that period.
What Does 労災保険 Mean?
労災保険 as Workers’ Compensation Insurance
労災保険 stands for 労働者災害補償保険（ろうどうしゃさいがいほしょうほけん）— Workers’ Accident Compensation Insurance. The full name is long, so everyone says 労災保険 or simply 労災（ろうさい）. This system covers you if you are injured or become ill as a direct result of your work or your commute. It is entirely separate from 雇用保険 and serves a completely different purpose.
業務上災害 and 通勤災害
労災保険 covers two types of incidents:
- 業務上災害（ぎょうむじょうさいがい） — an injury or illness that occurs while performing work duties. For example, a construction worker falls from scaffolding, or an office worker develops a repetitive strain injury from prolonged keyboard use.
- 通勤災害（つうきんさいがい） — an injury that occurs during your commute to or from work. If you are hit by a bicycle on your way to the station, this is covered by 労災保険, not 雇用保険 and not your personal health insurance.
This is a point that many people — including Japanese workers — get wrong. Commuting accidents are a 労災 matter, not a 健康保険（けんこうほけん）matter.
Employer Pays the Full Premium — 事業主が全額負担
Unlike 雇用保険, you do not pay any premium for 労災保険. The employer pays 100% of the premium. This is why you will never see 労災保険料 on your payslip. The employer’s premium rate varies by industry — higher-risk industries like construction pay more. Every worker in Japan is automatically covered by 労災保険 from their first day of employment, regardless of hours worked or contract type.
How to File a 労災 Claim
If you are injured at work or during your commute, the general flow is:
- Inform your employer immediately that a work-related injury occurred
- Receive treatment at a designated 労災病院（ろうさいびょういん）or any hospital that accepts 労災
- Submit the required forms (療養補償給付請求書（りょうようほしょうきゅうふせいきゅうしょ）) to the Labour Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署（ろうどうきじゅんかんとくしょ）)
- Benefits include medical treatment costs, lost wages during recovery, and disability compensation if applicable
Example sentence:
仕事中に腰を痛めたので、労災保険を申請しました。
Shigoto-chuu ni koshi wo itameta node, rousai hoken wo shinsei shimashita.
I injured my back at work, so I filed a workers’ compensation claim.
What Does 失業給付 Mean?
失業給付 — The Official and Colloquial Names
失業給付（しつぎょうきゅうふ）is the benefit you receive after losing your job, paid through the 雇用保険 system. The official name used in government documents is 基本手当（きほんてあて）, which is technically the largest component of a broader category called 求職者給付（きゅうしょくしゃきゅうふ）— job-seeker benefits. In everyday conversation, people also say 失業手当（しつぎょうてあて）, which means the same thing.
To summarize the naming:
- 失業給付 / 失業手当 — everyday terms used in conversation
- 基本手当（きほんてあて） — official term on forms and government documents
- 求職者給付（きゅうしょくしゃきゅうふ） — the legal category this benefit falls under
Eligibility — 受給資格
To receive 失業給付, you must meet the following basic conditions:
- You are currently unemployed and actively looking for work
- You were enrolled in 雇用保険 for the required period in the past 2 years
- For voluntary resignation (自己都合退職（じこつごうたいしょく）): enrolled for at least 12 months
- For company-initiated separation (会社都合退職（かいしゃつごうたいしょく）): enrolled for at least 6 months
自己都合退職 vs 会社都合退職 — Why It Matters
This distinction is one of the most important things to understand about 失業給付. The reason you left your job — written on your 離職票 — directly affects how soon you can start receiving benefits.
| Reason for Leaving | Japanese Term | Eligibility Requirement | 給付制限 (Benefit Restriction) |
|---|---|---|---|
| You chose to resign | 自己都合退職（じこつごうたいしょく） | 12 months insured in past 2 years | 2–3 months additional wait |
| Company laid you off / let you go | 会社都合退職（かいしゃつごうたいしょく） | 6 months insured in past 2 years | No additional wait |
The additional waiting period for voluntary resignation is called 給付制限（きゅうふせいげん）. For most voluntary resignations it is currently 2 months (as of 2024, reduced from 3 months for the third time in 5 years). During this time you receive no benefits, even though you have completed the 7-day mandatory waiting period (see below).
待期期間 — The 7-Day Waiting Period
Everyone who applies for 失業給付 must serve a 待期期間（たいきかん） — a 7-day waiting period that begins from the day you register at ハローワーク. During this time you cannot receive any benefits. This applies to both voluntary and company-initiated separations. After the 待期期間, voluntary resignees then serve the 給付制限 on top of that.
Applying at ハローワーク
ハローワーク（Hello Work）is the government’s public employment security office. It is where you register as a job seeker, submit your 離職票, and begin the 失業給付 application process. Most cities have at least one ハローワーク office. You can find the nearest one on the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare website.
Example sentence:
来週ハローワークに行って、失業給付の手続きをするつもりです。
Raishu Harowaku ni itte, shitsugyou kyuufu no tetsuzuki wo suru tsumori desu.
I plan to go to Hello Work next week to complete the unemployment benefit procedures.
What Does 離職票 Mean?
離職票 — The Job Separation Document
離職票（りしょくひょう）is a formal document issued to you after you leave a job. The word breaks down as: 離職（りしょく）= leaving employment + 票（ひょう）= document/slip. It is not something you write yourself — your former employer prepares and submits paperwork to the government (called 離職証明書（りしょくしょうめいしょ）), and then ハローワーク issues the 離職票 and sends it to you, typically within 10 days.
Why You Need It
The 離職票 is the entry ticket to receiving 失業給付. When you go to ハローワーク to apply for unemployment benefits, you must bring your 離職票. Without it, ハローワーク cannot process your application. The document contains:
- Your employment period and wages
- The reason you left the job — 離職理由（りしょくりゆう）
- Your insurance number
The 離職理由 printed on the 離職票 is particularly important because it determines whether you are treated as 自己都合退職 or 会社都合退職, which directly affects your 給付制限. If you believe the reason listed is incorrect, you have the right to contest it at ハローワーク.
離職証明書 vs 離職票 — What Is the Difference?
These two documents are often confused because they have similar names:
| Document | Who Creates It | Who Receives It | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 離職証明書（りしょくしょうめいしょ） | Employer | Submitted to ハローワーク | Employer’s request to issue a 離職票 |
| 離職票（りしょくひょう） | ハローワーク (via employer) | You (the former employee) | Document you bring to apply for 失業給付 |
Simply put: 離職証明書 is what your employer files with the government. 離職票 is what ends up in your hands.
退職証明書 vs 離職票 — Another Common Confusion
退職証明書（たいしょくしょうめいしょ） is a different document entirely. It is a certificate your employer issues directly to you, confirming that you worked there and that you have resigned. It is commonly used when applying for a new job or when canceling pension/health insurance enrollment. It is not the document required to apply for 失業給付 at ハローワーク — that is the 離職票.
| Document | Issued By | Used For |
|---|---|---|
| 離職票 | ハローワーク (via employer) | Applying for 失業給付 at ハローワーク |
| 退職証明書 | Former employer directly | Job applications, insurance procedures, proof of resignation |
Example sentence:
会社を辞めた後、離職票が届いたらすぐにハローワークへ持って行ってください。
Kaisha wo yameta ato, rishokuhyou ga todoitara sugu ni Harowaku e motte itte kudasai.
After leaving the company, please take the 離職票 to Hello Work as soon as it arrives.
YukaI resigned last month. My company gave me a 退職証明書 but I haven’t received a 離職票 yet. Is that normal?
ReiYes, those are two different documents. The 退職証明書 comes straight from your employer. The 離職票 is issued by ハローワーク after your employer files the paperwork — it usually takes about 10 days. If it doesn’t arrive within a month of leaving, contact your former employer or visit ハローワーク directly.
雇用保険 vs 労災保険
Both 雇用保険 and 労災保険 are workplace insurance systems managed by the government, but they cover completely different situations and have different payment structures.
| 雇用保険 | 労災保険 | |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Unemployment, childcare leave, nursing leave, job training | Work injuries, occupational illness, commuting accidents |
| Who pays the premium | Employee + employer (split) | Employer only (100%) |
| Visible on payslip? | Yes — 雇用保険料 deducted | No |
| Where to apply | ハローワーク | Labour Standards Inspection Office (労働基準監督署) |
| Covers commuting accidents? | No | Yes — 通勤災害 |
The key rule to remember: if something happens to your job (you lose it, you take leave), that is 雇用保険. If something happens to your body because of your job or commute (injury, illness), that is 労災保険.
Example — 雇用保険:
会社が倒産したので、雇用保険を使って失業給付を受けることにしました。
Kaisha ga tousan shita node, koyou hoken wo tsukatte shitsugyou kyuufu wo ukeru koto ni shimashita.
My company went bankrupt, so I decided to use employment insurance to receive unemployment benefits.
Example — 労災保険:
通勤中に自転車にぶつかられてケガをしたので、労災の申請をしました。
Tsuukin-chuu ni jitensha ni butsukarare te kega wo shita node, rousai no shinsei wo shimashita.
I was hit by a bicycle on my way to work and got injured, so I filed a workers’ compensation claim.
雇用保険 vs 失業給付
This is perhaps the most common source of confusion for Japanese learners. The relationship is simple once stated clearly: 雇用保険 is the system; 失業給付 is one benefit paid out from that system.
Think of it like health insurance. Your health insurance (保険) is the system you pay into. A specific medical procedure covered by it (給付) is the benefit. The same logic applies here.
- 雇用保険に加入する = to enroll in / be covered by employment insurance
- 雇用保険料を払う = to pay the employment insurance premium
- 失業給付を受ける = to receive unemployment benefits
- 失業給付を申請する = to apply for unemployment benefits
You can be enrolled in 雇用保険 for years and never receive 失業給付 — just as you can have car insurance and never make a claim. The 失業給付 only becomes relevant when you leave a job and meet the eligibility conditions.
Example:
雇用保険に5年間加入していたので、失業給付を受ける資格があります。
Koyou hoken ni 5-nenkan kanyuu shite ita node, shitsugyou kyuufu wo ukeru shikaku ga arimasu.
Because I have been enrolled in employment insurance for five years, I am eligible to receive unemployment benefits.
失業給付 vs 離職票
失業給付 is the money you receive. 離職票 is the document you need to get that money. One is a benefit; the other is a prerequisite. Without the 離職票, you cannot start the unemployment benefit process at ハローワーク.
The Step-by-Step Sequence
Here is the full flow from resignation to receiving your first payment:
1. 退職（たいしょく）— You resign or are let go
↓
2. 雇用保険被保険者証 & 離職票を受け取る — Receive your insurance card and job separation document from your former employer (allow 10 days)
↓
3. ハローワークに行く — Go to Hello Work with the required documents (離職票, photo ID, bank account info, etc.)
↓
4. 求職申込み（きゅうしょくもうしこみ）— Register as a job seeker
↓
5. 待期期間（7日間）— Serve the mandatory 7-day waiting period
↓
6. 給付制限（じこつごうのみ）— Voluntary resignees wait an additional 2 months (会社都合 skips this)
↓
7. 認定日（にんていび）— Attend regular check-in appointments at ハローワーク every 28 days to certify you are still job-seeking
↓
8. 失業給付（基本手当）受給開始 — Benefits begin (paid by bank transfer, roughly every 28 days)What If You Do Not Receive Your 離職票?
Your employer is legally required to issue the 離職票 (via ハローワーク) within a set timeframe. If it does not arrive within about one month of leaving, you can visit ハローワーク directly with your 退職証明書 or employment contract and request assistance. ハローワーク can contact your former employer on your behalf. Do not wait too long — there are time limits on how far back your insured period can be counted.
Common Mistakes English Speakers Make
Mistake 1: Treating 雇用保険 and 失業給付 as the Same Thing
Many learners say 雇用保険をもらう (to receive employment insurance) when they mean 失業給付をもらう (to receive unemployment benefits). 雇用保険 is a system you enroll in, not something you receive. The correct phrasing is 雇用保険の失業給付を受ける — to receive unemployment benefits from the employment insurance system.
Mistake 2: Thinking 労災保険 Covers Unemployment
労災保険 only covers work-related injuries and illnesses — nothing else. If you lose your job, 労災保険 has nothing to do with it. Some learners assume that because both are labor-related insurance systems, they serve similar purposes. They do not. If you are injured at work and cannot work for a long time, 労災保険 covers your medical costs and some lost wages — but the benefit if you become unemployed comes from 雇用保険.
Mistake 3: Not Checking the 離職理由 on the 離職票
The reason listed under 離職理由（りしょくりゆう）on your 離職票 directly determines your 給付制限 period. If you were essentially pushed out of a job but it is listed as 自己都合退職, you may face a two-month penalty you do not legally owe. Always read the 離職票 carefully when it arrives, and if the reason seems wrong, raise it at ハローワーク when you register.
Mistake 4: Confusing 健康保険 and 雇用保険
Both 健康保険（けんこうほけん）— health insurance — and 雇用保険 appear as deductions on your payslip, and both are mandatory social insurance programs. But they are completely different systems with different purposes. 健康保険 covers your medical expenses. 雇用保険 covers your income when you cannot work due to unemployment or leave.
Mistake 5: Confusing 退職証明書 with 離職票
These are two different documents. 退職証明書 is a certificate your employer gives you directly, useful for job applications and insurance cancellation. 離職票 is what you need to apply for 失業給付. Bringing only a 退職証明書 to ハローワーク will not be sufficient to start your benefits application.
Mistake 6: Waiting Too Long to Go to ハローワーク
The 待期期間 and 給付制限 only begin from the day you register at ハローワーク, not from the day you resigned. Every day you delay going to ハローワーク is a day you are pushing your first payment further into the future. Go as soon as you receive your 離職票.
Decision Rule: Which Word Do You Need?
Use this quick reference to figure out which term applies to your situation:
Are you talking about the employment insurance SYSTEM you pay into?
→ 雇用保険（こようほけん）
Are you talking about a WORK INJURY or COMMUTING ACCIDENT?
→ 労災保険（ろうさいほけん）
Are you talking about the MONEY received after losing your job?
→ 失業給付（しつぎょうきゅうふ）/ 基本手当（きほんてあて）
Are you talking about the DOCUMENT needed at Hello Work to apply for benefits?
→ 離職票（りしょくひょう）
Are you talking about a certificate from your employer proving you resigned?
→ 退職証明書（たいしょくしょうめいしょ）
Are you talking about the employer’s paperwork that requests issuance of 離職票?
→ 離職証明書（りしょくしょうめいしょ）A note for foreign residents: as a worker in Japan, you are eligible for both 雇用保険 and 労災保険 on exactly the same terms as Japanese employees, as long as your 在留資格 (residence status) permits you to work. If you receive 失業給付 for an extended period, it is worth checking with a professional whether this could have any impact on your visa renewal — the rules depend on your visa type and individual circumstances.
If you want to practice using these terms in real conversation, italki connects you with Japanese tutors who can walk you through workplace and administrative Japanese in a structured, practical way.
Quick Quiz
Test your understanding of the four terms and related concepts.
Question 1: Which document do you need to bring to ハローワーク to apply for unemployment benefits?
a) 退職証明書
b) 雇用保険被保険者証
c) 離職票
d) 労災申請書
Answer: c) 離職票
Question 2: You were injured on your bicycle commute to work. Which insurance covers this?
a) 雇用保険
b) 健康保険
c) 労災保険
d) None of the above
Answer: c) 労災保険 — commuting accidents are 通勤災害 covered by 労災保険
Question 3: What is the difference between 自己都合退職 and 会社都合退職 in terms of 失業給付?
a) They have different eligibility conditions and different 給付制限 waiting periods
b) They are the same — the reason does not matter
c) 自己都合退職 gets benefits faster
d) 会社都合退職 requires more documents
Answer: a) 自己都合退職 requires 12 months insured and has a 2-month 給付制限; 会社都合退職 requires only 6 months and has no 給付制限
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT covered by 雇用保険?
a) 育児休業給付
b) 失業給付
c) 通勤中のケガ
d) 教育訓練給付
Answer: c) Commuting injuries are covered by 労災保険, not 雇用保険
Question 5: How many days is the mandatory 待期期間 before unemployment benefits can start?
a) 3 days
b) 7 days
c) 14 days
d) 30 days
Answer: b) 7 days
Question 6: Your employer gave you a 退職証明書 but not a 離職票. What should you do?
a) Use the 退職証明書 at ハローワーク instead
b) Contact your former employer to file the 離職証明書 with ハローワーク, or go to ハローワーク directly for help
c) Apply for 労災保険 instead
d) Wait — you do not need 離職票
Answer: b) 退職証明書 cannot replace 離職票; contact your employer or visit ハローワーク for assistance
Leave a comment below and let us know which term was the most confusing for you — or share a workplace vocabulary question you would like us to cover next!
Keep Learning
Now that you understand Japan’s key employment insurance terms, explore these related guides to build your practical Japanese vocabulary:
