OFW Resource Hub

Losing your job can be stressful—especially kung nasa ibang bansa ka at iniisip mo hindi lang ang income mo, kundi pati ang visa, health insurance, taxes, rent, at responsibilities sa family sa Pilipinas.

Kung mawalan ka ng trabaho sa Japan, huwag balewalain ang paperwork. There are several important steps you may need to take, and acting early can help protect your finances and residence status.

Narito ang practical guide para sa Filipinos living and working in Japan.

1. Get Your Documents From Your Employer

Kapag natapos ang employment mo, siguraduhing makuha ang important documents na maaaring kailanganin mo sa Hello Work, taxes, pension, at next employer.

Important documents may include :

離職票（Rishokuhyō）

Employment insurance separation notice

• Usually needed when applying for unemployment benefits.

雇用保険被保険者証（Koyō Hoken Hihokenshashō）

Employment Insurance Insured Person Certificate

源泉徴収票（Gensen Chōshūhyō）

Withholding Tax Certificate

• Important for taxes and your next employer.

退職証明書（Taishoku Shōmeisho）

Certificate of resignation/separation

• You may request this from your employer.

Also keep your :

• Employment contract

• Recent payslips

• Residence card

• My Number information

• Bank records

Hello Work advises workers to check their Employment Insurance Insured Person Certificate and the reason for separation recorded in their employment documents.

2. Check the Reason You Lost Your Job

This is important.

There is a difference between :

自己都合退職（Jiko Tsugō Taishoku）

Leaving for personal reasons / voluntary resignation

and

会社都合退職（Kaisha Tsugō Taishoku）

Company-related separation

Examples may include layoffs, closure, or certain employer-driven circumstances.

The reason recorded for your separation can affect unemployment-benefit procedures.

Before leaving the company, check whether the reason written in your documents accurately reflects what happened. Hello Work specifically recommends checking the stated reason for separation.

3. Go to Hello Work

One of the first places you should know is :

ハローワーク（Hello Work）

Hello Work is Japan's public employment service.

It can help with :

• Job searching

• Job referrals

• Career consultation

• Employment information

• Unemployment insurance procedures

• Reemployment support

Foreign workers can also use Hello Work services, and specialized foreign employment service centers are available in some areas.

4. Check If You Can Receive Unemployment Benefits

Japan's unemployment insurance is called :

雇用保険（Koyō Hoken）

If you were enrolled in employment insurance and meet the eligibility requirements, you may be able to receive :

基本手当（Kihon Teate）

Basic allowance / unemployment benefit

It is designed to provide financial support while an eligible unemployed person actively looks for a new job.

Eligibility is not automatic just because you lost your job.

Hello Work will determine whether you qualify.

5. How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits

Generally, you need to go to the Hello Work office responsible for your residential area.

You will :

1. Register as a job seeker.

2. Submit your separation documents, including your Rishokuhyō.

3. Have your eligibility reviewed.

4. Receive information about the unemployment insurance process.

5. Attend required guidance or appointments.

6. Conduct job-search activities.

7. Attend your designated unemployment-certification dates.

Hello Work generally confirms unemployment status approximately once every four weeks during the benefit process.

6. Don't Wait Too Long for Your Rishokuhyō

After leaving your job, your employer normally completes procedures related to your employment-insurance separation.

If you need a Rishokuhyō but your employer does not provide it, contact the Hello Work office responsible for your residential area. Hello Work specifically advises workers to contact them if an employer fails to issue the document or cannot be reached.

7. You Must Be Looking for Work

Unemployment benefits are not simply money you receive because you're no longer employed.

Generally, you must :

• Be willing to work.

• Be capable of working.

• Actively seek employment.

• Complete Hello Work procedures.

• Report your job-search activities.

Hello Work defines unemployment for benefit purposes as being willing and able to work but unable to obtain employment despite job-search efforts.

8. Check Your Residence Status Immediately

For foreign workers, this is extremely important.

Losing your job does not necessarily mean your residence card becomes invalid immediately.

However, your ability to remain in Japan and what work you can take next depend on your :

在留資格（Zairyū Shikaku） – Status of residence

Different statuses have different rules.

For example, a work-related status may limit you to certain types of jobs or activities.

Do not assume that you can accept any job simply because you have a valid residence card.

9. You May Need to Notify Immigration Within 14 Days

For certain residence statuses, if you leave your employer or your employment contract ends, you are required to notify the Immigration Services Agency.

The deadline is generally :

• Within 14 days of the change.

This applies to various work-related residence statuses, including categories such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor, Specified Skilled Worker, and others covered by the notification rules.

Depending on your status, notification can be made through the Immigration Services Agency's procedures, including its electronic notification system where applicable.

10. Your Employer's Notification Is Different From Yours

Employers generally also have obligations to notify Hello Work when a foreign employee is hired or leaves employment.

But don't assume that your employer's notification automatically replaces any immigration notification that you personally are required to make.

They are different procedures.

Check the rules for your specific residence status.

11. Don't Ignore Your Visa Situation While Job Hunting

If your residence status is based on a particular type of work, losing your job can become an immigration issue if you remain unemployed for an extended period without appropriate activity or justification.

Japan's immigration law allows residence status to be reviewed or revoked in certain circumstances when a person stops engaging in the activity associated with that status.

This does not mean that your visa is automatically cancelled the moment you lose your job.

But it does mean you should :

• Notify Immigration when required.

• Start job hunting promptly.

• Keep records of applications and interviews.

• Make sure your next job fits your residence status.

• Consult Immigration if you're unsure.

12. Keep Proof That You're Looking for Work

Save records such as :

• Hello Work registration

• Job applications

• Emails from employers

• Interview schedules

• Rejection emails

• Recruitment-agency communications

• Job fair participation

These records are useful for your own organization and may help demonstrate that you're genuinely looking for new employment if questions arise about your situation.

13. Check Whether Your Next Job Fits Your Visa

This is especially important for work visas.

For example, just because you previously worked in one industry doesn't automatically mean you can accept any available job.

Your permitted work depends on your residence status and, in some cases, the specific activities authorized under it.

Before accepting a job that is very different from your previous work, check with Immigration or a qualified immigration professional.

14. Don't Forget Health Insurance

When you leave a company, you may also leave its employee health-insurance system.

Depending on your situation, you may need to :

• Join National Health Insurance

• Become a dependent under an eligible family member's insurance

• Use another continuation option if eligible

• Enroll in your new employer's insurance once reemployed

Do not simply assume your old health-insurance card or eligibility continues after your employment ends.

Check with your former employer, insurer, and municipal office promptly.

15. Don't Forget Pension

Leaving a company can also affect your pension enrollment.

If you're no longer covered by employees' pension insurance and remain resident in Japan, you may need to complete procedures related to:

国民年金（Kokumin Nenkin） 

National Pension

If your income has dropped significantly because you're unemployed, ask your municipal office or pension office whether you qualify for any applicable exemption or payment-deferral system.

Don't simply stop paying without completing the proper procedure.

16. Resident Tax Doesn't Disappear

One surprise for many workers is that losing a job doesn't automatically erase :

住民税（Jūminzei） – Resident Tax

Resident Tax is generally based on your previous year's income.

So even if your current income suddenly becomes zero, you may still receive tax bills based on what you earned previously.

If you're struggling to pay, contact your city or ward office rather than ignoring the notices.

17. Review Your Budget Immediately

As soon as you know you're losing your job, calculate your essential monthly expenses.

Start with :

• Rent

• Food

• Utilities

• Phone

• Transportation

• Insurance

• Pension

• Taxes

• Debt payments

• Remittance commitments

Then identify expenses you can temporarily reduce.

This is the time to protect your emergency funds.

18. Be Careful With Remittances

Supporting family back home is important, but pagkawala ng trabaho can dramatically change your available budget.

Before sending money :

1. Calculate your essential Japan expenses.

2. Set aside enough for rent and utilities.

3. Prepare for insurance, pension, and tax obligations.

4. Keep emergency cash available.

5. Then determine a safe amount to remit.

It may be necessary to temporarily send less while looking for another job.

That's better than sending too much and later struggling to pay essential expenses in Japan.

19. Avoid Borrowing Money Immediately

Losing income can make quick loans look attractive.

Be careful with :

• High-interest loans

• Credit-card cash advances

• Informal lenders

• Social-media lenders

• “Instant cash” offers

• Anyone asking for an advance fee to arrange a loan

Before borrowing, first check :

• Unemployment benefits

• Available savings

• Payment consultations

• Government or municipal support for which you may qualify

Don't let a temporary employment problem become long-term debt.

20. Watch Out for Job Scams

People urgently looking for work can become targets for scammers.

Be suspicious if a “company” asks you to :

• Pay money before starting work

• Buy expensive equipment from a specific person

• Transfer money to receive your salary

• Receive and forward money through your bank account

• Lend your bank account or cash card

• Give them your banking password

• Hand over your residence card

• Perform work that clearly doesn't match your residence status

A legitimate job offer should not require you to surrender control of your bank account.

21. Update Your Resume

Use the transition period to update your :

履歴書（Rirekisho） – Japanese-style resume

and, when relevant :

職務経歴書（Shokumu Keirekisho） – Detailed work history/CV

Update :

• Recent employer

• Job responsibilities

• Skills

• Certifications

• Japanese-language ability

• Contact information

• Availability

Prepare both digital and printed copies if needed.

22. Use More Than One Job-Search Method

Don't rely on only one website.

Try :

• Hello Work

• Recruitment agencies

• Job websites

• Company career pages

• Foreign-worker employment centers

• Professional networks

• Job fairs

• Recommendations from trusted contacts

The wider your search, the better your chances of finding suitable work.

23. Keep a Job-Search Schedule

Unemployment can quickly disrupt your routine.

Create a simple weekly schedule :

• Morning: Search and apply for jobs.

• Afternoon: Interviews, Hello Work, Japanese study, or skills training.

• Evening: Review applications and prepare for tomorrow.

Treating job hunting like a regular responsibility can help you stay organized and document your search activity.

24. What If You Find a New Job?

Great—but check the paperwork before starting.

Confirm :

• Job duties

• Salary

• Working hours

• Overtime rules

• Workplace

• Transportation allowance

• Social insurance

• Employment insurance

• Contract period

• Residence-status compatibility

Depending on your status of residence, you may also need to notify Immigration about the new organization or contract within the applicable deadline. Immigration's notification rules cover both termination of certain employment relationships and conclusion of a contract with a new affiliated organization.

Useful Japanese Words

失業（Shitsugyō） – Unemployment

退職（Taishoku） – Leaving a job / resignation

解雇（Kaiko） – Dismissal

離職（Rishoku） – Separation from employment

離職票（Rishokuhyō） – Separation notice

雇用保険（Koyō Hoken） – Employment insurance

基本手当（Kihon Teate） – Basic unemployment allowance

ハローワーク（Hello Work） – Public employment service

求職（Kyūshoku） – Job seeking

再就職（Saishūshoku） – Reemployment

履歴書（Rirekisho） – Resume

職務経歴書（Shokumu Keirekisho） – Work history/CV

在留資格（Zairyū Shikaku） – Status of residence

住民税（Jūminzei） – Resident Tax

Job Loss Checklist

If you lose your job in Japan :

• Get your separation documents from your employer.

• Check whether the recorded reason for leaving is correct.

• Register with Hello Work.

• Check whether you're eligible for unemployment benefits.

• Notify Immigration within the applicable deadline if your residence status requires it.

• Confirm what types of jobs your residence status allows.

• Keep proof of your job-search activities.

• Handle your health-insurance procedures.

• Check your pension enrollment.

• Continue monitoring Resident Tax and other bills.

• Review your monthly budget.

• Adjust remittances if necessary.

• Update your resume and work history.

• Watch out for job and loan scams.

• Check immigration requirements again when you find a new employer.

Tips for Filipinos in Japan

• Don't wait several weeks before going to Hello Work—start your procedures and job search early.

• Keep copies of all employment and immigration documents.

• Don't assume your residence status is automatically cancelled when employment ends, but don't ignore immigration requirements either.

• Ask before accepting work outside your current residence-status category.

• Build an emergency fund while you're employed whenever possible.

• If money becomes tight, prioritize essential living costs before non-essential spending.

• Don't be embarrassed to ask official offices for help understanding procedures. That's exactly what those services are there for.

Losing your job in Japan can feel overwhelming, but the most important thing is to act early and stay organized.

Start with your employment documents, visit Hello Work, check your unemployment-insurance eligibility, handle your Immigration notification if required, and make sure your health insurance, pension, taxes, and finances remain under control.

Most importantly, don't ignore letters from your former employer, Hello Work, Immigration, city hall, or other government offices. A document that looks complicated today can become a much bigger problem if left unopened for weeks.

Sa PhilMoney, nais naming suportahan ang mga Pilipino sa Japan hindi lamang sa mabilis at ligtas na remittance, kundi pati na rin sa pagbibigay ng practical guides para mas maging prepared, informed, at financially responsible sa mga unexpected changes sa buhay at trabaho sa Japan.

Note : This article is intended for general information only. Regulations and procedures in Japan and the Philippines may change. Please verify the latest information with the appropriate government agency or official institution before taking action.