NationalEmployment
Employment Insurance Basic Allowance (Unemployment Benefit)
雇用保険 基本手当
In short: Benefit for people insured under Employment Insurance who lose their job and are actively looking for work.You must register as a job seeker at Hello Work and be "unemployed": willing and able to work and actively job-hunting but unable to find work.(Source: www.hellowork.mhlw.go.jp, verified on 2026-10-15)
Validity: Current as of 2026-10-15 (FY2026 / Reiwa 8); source page live on that date. Verified on 2026-10-15. Official source: https://www.hellowork.mhlw.go.jp/insurance/insurance_basicbenefit.html
- Waiting period and benefit restriction for voluntary resignation (not yet extracted)
- Effect on residence status
- Residence-status rule — not stated on source; confirm with office.
Who qualifies
- You must register as a job seeker at Hello Work and be "unemployed": willing and able to work and actively job-hunting but unable to find work. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
- Insured for a total of 12+ months in the 2 years before leaving the job (6+ months in the 1 year before, for dismissal/bankruptcy or certain contract-end cases). A month counts if you were paid for 11+ days or 80+ hours. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Conditions by topic
| Age | Daily amount rate differs for ages 60–64 (45–80%). [official source · verified on 2026-10-15] |
|---|---|
| Income | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Household | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Child age | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Residence in Japan | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Residence in Tokyo / municipality | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
| Work / insurance type | Was insured under Employment Insurance: 12+ months in the 2 years before leaving (6+ in 1 year for dismissal etc.); must register at Hello Work and be actively job-seeking. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15] |
| Disability | Not stated in the sources we checked — confirm with the office. |
Residence status
Not stated in the official sources we checked — unknown.
Where to apply
- Hello Work office with jurisdiction over your address: register as a job seeker, then submit the separation notices. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Find addresses in the office finder.
Deadlines
- The benefit period is in principle 1 year from the day after leaving the job (longer for 330/360-day entitlements); it can be extended up to 3 years for illness, pregnancy, childbirth, childcare etc. lasting 30+ days. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Documents
- Separation notices (離職票-1 and -2), My Number proof, ID, two photos (3.0×2.4 cm; can be skipped by showing a My Number Card), bank book or cash card in your name. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Key details
- Daily amount is roughly 50–80% (45–80% for ages 60–64) of the average daily wage over the last 6 months before leaving, with higher rates for lower wages. [official source · verified on 2026-10-15]
Phone / counter phrases
すみません、雇用保険の基本手当の手続きについて伺いたいのですが、何を持っていけばよいですか。
Sumimasen, koyō hoken no kihon teate no tetsuzuki ni tsuite ukagaitai no desu ga, nani o motte ikeba yoi desu ka.
Hello. I would like to ask about the procedure for unemployment benefits. What documents should I bring?
すみません、もう少しゆっくり話していただけますか。
Sumimasen, mō sukoshi yukkuri hanashite itadakemasu ka.
Sorry, could you please speak a little more slowly?
Generic phrases for practical help, not official wording.