Japanese

Insurance

Mandatory Insurance: Invoiced by AIU

In accordance with immigration law, Akita International University (AIU) requires all short-term international students to purchase Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) without exception. This insurance covers 70% of all medical expenses only and does NOT cover the period of travel between your home country and AIU, rescue expenses, or repatriation, so it is neither life insurance nor overseas travel insurance. You will have to pay 30% of expenses if/when you receive medical care at a hospital or clinic anywhere in Japan.

In addition, AIU also requires all short-term international students to be covered by the following 3 mandatory insurances:

  • Personal Accident Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (Gakkensai)
  • Liability Insurance for Students Pursuing Education and Research (Gakkenbai)
  • Comprehensive Insurance for Students Lives Coupled with “Gakkensai” (Inbound Futai-Gakuso)

All of these insurances are mandatory to ensure a safe and worry-free campus life. By ensuring that every student is properly insured, AIU aims to create an environment where you can focus on your studies and enjoy your life in Akita with peace of mind.

AIU will complete the enrollment procedures for each insurance plan on behalf of all students. Details about coverage and benefits will be explained during orientation. AIU invoices short-term international students for insurance fees in advance, as part of the Student Activity Fee, and pays regular insurance bills on students’ behalf.

Start of Validity and Insurance Card Receipt

Mandatory insurances only cover students?during the period of enrollment at AIU. AIU will enroll you in National Health Insurance during orientation and your insurance will be effective immediately at that time.
However, please note that it will take approximately?3 weeks?before your insurance card is issued. If you visit a hospital before your National Health Insurance card is issued, you will have to pay the full cost of treatment and medication up front. Once you receive your National Health Insurance card, you can take that card and your receipt back to the hospital to receive a 70% refund on your charges.

Termination of Validity

After students complete their program at AIU, they must?depart the country or change their residence status?within 14 days.?Japanese National Health Insurance (NHI) becomes invalid immediately upon changing residence status, so students who stay in Japan for tourism will not be covered. Mandatory insurances other than the NHI are also only valid during your period of enrollment at AIU.

Mandatory Insurance: Self-Purchased

In addition to the mandatory insurances mentioned above, which are invoiced by AIU, you are required to purchase overseas travel insurance before departing your home country. This is because the above insurances provide only minimum coverage and do not cover the period of travel between your home and AIU. The overseas travel insurance should be a comprehensive package which covers: Accident Death, Accident Disability, Death from Illness, Medical & Rescuer’s Expenses, Dental Treatment, Long Term Personal Liability, Household Goods and Personal Belongings, Tuition, Room & Board Expenses, Emergency Travel Expenses, etc.

Should you become seriously ill or injured while in Japan (or be involved in causing property damage or personal injury, for which you will be required to financially compensate the other party), having private overseas travel insurance will protect you.

The information below is a typical overseas travel insurance package that Japanese students carry when studying abroad. We believe that this sort of package is the kind that will be best suited to your needs.

Insurance Package

Coverage and amount of insuranceAmount in JPYAmount in USD
(Estimate*)
Accidental Death10,000,000 JPY64,703 USD
Accidental Disability30,000,000 JPY194,111 USD
Death from Illness10,000,000 JPY64,703 USD
Medical & Rescuer’s Expenses100,000,000 JPY647,038 USD
Dental Treatment100,000 JPY647 USD
Long Term Personal Liability50,000,000 JPY323,519 USD
Household Goods and Personal Belongings600,000 JPY3,882 USD
Tuition, Room & Board Expenses2,000,000 JPY12,940 USD
Emergency Travel Expenses350,000 JPY2,264 USD
*1 USD = 154.55 JPY at TTS rate as of November 2025.
Center for International Affairs
Akita International University
Yuwa, Akita-City 010-1292 Japan
Tel. +81-(0)18-886-5927, +81-(0)18-886-5937
Fax. +81-(0)18-886-5853
Inbound Students:[mail international]
Outbound Students:[mail studyabroad]
Office Hours (Mon – Fri) 9:00 – 12:00 and 13:00 – 17:00