If you take time off from work for childbirth

• If you cannot receive pay during time off from work for childbirth
• If you take maternity leave, childcare leave, or other similar leave
• On completion of maternity leave or child-care leave (revision on completion of maternity leave, revision on completion of child-care leave, etc.)

If you cannot receive pay during time off from work for childbirth

Required documents:	Claim for Maternity Allowance Example
Submit to:	Company (in charge of social insurance)
Deadline:	As soon as possible
Applies to:	Female insured persons taking time off from work for childbirth.
Inquiries to:	FR Health Insurance Organization
Notes:	On the application form, have your employer certify your maternity leave and whether you are being paid remuneration during this leave. Additionally, obtain certification from your doctor or midwife.

If you take maternity leave, childcare leave, or other similar leave

To reduce financial burdens while taking childcare or similar leave, Health Insurance Organizations exempt insured persons and their employers from the payment of insurance premiums during the period of such leave in cases where employers have applied for such exemption. This exemption applies from the month in which the leave starts through the month immediately preceding the month that includes the day following the end of the leave.

In addition, it is possible to apply for exemption from the payment of insurance premiums for the period from the month in which maternity leave starts through the month immediately preceding the month that includes the day following the end of the leave, during the periods of maternity leave and paternity leave (newborn care leave).

• ** The duration of childcare leave refers to time taken off for child-care or for similar leave under the child-care leave system. This period is allowed to extend through the child's third birthday.
• ** Maternity leave is defined as time off from work taken due to pregnancy or childbirth, within the period starting 42 days (98 days for multiple births) before birth and ending 56 days after birth.
• ** Paternity leave (newborn care leave): A system under which eligible persons may take leave for up to four weeks during the eight-week period after the birth of a child.

Inquiries to:	FR Health Insurance Organization

On completion of maternity leave or child-care leave (revision on completion of maternity leave, revision on completion of child-care leave, etc.)

After an insured person’s maternity leave or child-care leave has ended, if their remuneration has decreased due to a reduction in working hours, etc., the standard monthly remuneration can be revised based on an application by the insured person via notification through the employer.

Such a revision is called a “revision on completion of maternity leave” or “revision on completion of child-care leave, etc.”, and the written notice submitted to perform this procedure is called a “Notice of a Change in Monthly Remuneration on Completion of Maternity Leave” or a “Notice of a Change in Monthly Remuneration on Completion of Child-Care Leave, etc.”.

Revision on completion of maternity leave

Insured persons who satisfy all the following conditions are subject to this:

1. There must be at least a one-level difference between the average remuneration for the three-month period starting with the month that includes the day following the end of maternity leave and the current standard monthly remuneration.
2. During the three-month period starting with the month that includes the day following the end of maternity leave, there must be at least one month during which the insured person’s remuneration is calculated based on at least 17 days (or 15 days in the case of general part-time workers or 11 days in the case of certain part-time workers who work at specific applicable workplaces).
   * Revision is not possible if the number of days is less than 17 for all three months.
3. If the insured person goes on child-care leave, etc. starting on the day following the end of maternity leave, the person is not subject to revision on completion of maternity leave.

Revision on completion of child-care leave, etc.

Insured persons who satisfy all the following conditions are subject to this:

1. The insured person must be caring for a child aged under 3 on the day that child-care leave, etc. ends.
2. There must be at least a one-level difference between the average remuneration for the three-month period starting with the month that includes the day following the end of child-care leave, etc. and the current standard monthly remuneration.
3. During the three-month period starting with the month that includes the day following the end of child-care leave, etc., there must be at least one month during which the insured person’s remuneration is calculated based on at least 17 days (or 15 days in the case of general part-time workers or 11 days in the case of certain part-time workers who work at specific applicable workplaces).
   * Revision is not possible if the number of days is less than 17 for all three months.
4. If the insured person returns to the workplace without going on child-care leave, etc. after their maternity leave ends in accordance with the Labor Standards Act, the person is not subject to revision on completion of child-care leave, etc.

Inquiries to:	FR Health Insurance Organization