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 insurance | Amount in JPY | Amount in USD (Estimate*) |
|---|---|---|
| Accidental Death | 10,000,000 JPY | 64,703 USD |
| Accidental Disability | 30,000,000 JPY | 194,111 USD |
| Death from Illness | 10,000,000 JPY | 64,703 USD |
| Medical & Rescuer’s Expenses | 100,000,000 JPY | 647,038 USD |
| Dental Treatment | 100,000 JPY | 647 USD |
| Long Term Personal Liability | 50,000,000 JPY | 323,519 USD |
| Household Goods and Personal Belongings | 600,000 JPY | 3,882 USD |
| Tuition, Room & Board Expenses | 2,000,000 JPY | 12,940 USD |
| Emergency Travel Expenses | 350,000 JPY | 2,264 USD |
Center for International AffairsAkita International UniversityYuwa, 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