Employment Insurance is intended to provide financial stability for a worker in the event he or she becomes unemployed. Appropriate allowances are provided through this program.

In principle, it is required that all foreign workers be enrolled in the Employment Insurance system, with the exception of part-time and other employees who work less than 20 hours per week.

By law a worker has the right to request their employer insure them. In the case they are not insured and lose their job, an individual may retroactively enroll in the insurance plan however they will be responsible for payments.

Premiums: The premium is split between the employer and the insured at specific rates.
Benefits: If an insured person becomes unemployed after quitting his or her job and is unable to find a new job despite having the desire to work, that person can receive an unemployment allowance. To receive the allowance, the worker must have participated in the Employment Insurance program for at least six months during the year retroactive to the date the worker quit the company.

For example, if a worker was employed by the same employer for 1 year, is between the ages of 30 to 45 years old and lost their job, then they may receive unemployment insurance benefits for a period of 90 days and receive employment insurance benefits of 2,332 Yen per day before taxes (August 2004 level).

How to claim the benefits: You can apply for an unemployment allowance at the nearby Public Employment Security Office (also called "Hello-Work"). A person receiving unemployment insurance benefits is required to visit their local  “Hello Work”, once every four weeks to confirm their status of employment and to participate in seminars.