How Much Is Japan's Reemployment Allowance? Calculation and the 70% and 60% Deadlines

The reemployment allowance formula

The basic daily allowance used here has a cap: since August 1, 2025, it's 6,570 yen for those under 60 and 5,310 yen for ages 60 to 64. Even if your unemployment benefit's daily amount is higher, the reemployment allowance uses this figure. Remaining benefit days are your scheduled benefit days minus the days that became payable up to the day before you start work.

For example, take someone with a basic daily allowance of 6,207 yen and 90 scheduled days who starts work 19 days after becoming payable. The remaining days are 71, which is at least two-thirds (60 days), so the rate is 70%. A lump sum of 6,207 yen × 71 days × 70% = 308,487 yen is paid.

Conditions for the reemployment allowance

It isn't limited to regular employees. Contract and agency workers also qualify if they meet all of the following. Starting your own business also qualifies if it's recognized as enabling you to support yourself.

• You started the job or business after the 7-day waiting period ended
• At least one-third of your scheduled benefit days remain
• You're certain to work for more than 1 year (including when contract renewal is expected)
• You didn't return to your previous company (including affiliated companies)
• If you have a benefit restriction, for the 1 month after the waiting period, the job came through Hello Work or a licensed or registered employment placement business
• The company hadn't already offered you the job before your eligibility decision (your application for work at Hello Work)
• You haven't received the reemployment allowance or regular employment preparation allowance in the past 3 years
• In principle, you become covered by employment insurance

Amounts by start date (voluntary, 90 days)

This is someone who quit voluntarily on October 31, 2026 and filed on November 9. With a 300,000-yen monthly salary, age 35 and 5 years of coverage, the basic daily allowance is 6,207 yen, the scheduled benefit days are 90, and benefits become payable from December 16, when the restriction ends.

As a rough guide, 70% applies to jobs starting by January 15, when 30 days (one-third of your scheduled days) have passed since you became payable, and 60% to jobs starting by February 14. A single day can change the rate by 10 points, so if you can adjust your start date, check the deadlines first.

Employer-initiated separation and daily amounts above the cap

On the same schedule with employer-initiated separation (180 scheduled days, payable from November 16), there's no restriction, so the days start running down sooner. But because there are more days to begin with, the amounts are larger.

For someone with a 400,000-yen monthly salary (basic daily allowance of 6,666 yen), the reemployment allowance holds the daily amount to the 6,570-yen cap. Starting a job with all 90 days left after voluntary resignation gives 6,570 yen × 90 days × 70% = 413,910 yen. You can look up the basic daily allowance by monthly salary in the table in how much unemployment benefit you get.

How to apply and when you get paid

1. 1

   Report your new job to Hello Work

   By the day before you start, take your hiring certificate (filled in by your new employer) and eligibility card to Hello Work, report the job, and receive your final unemployment certification.

2. 2

   Submit the reemployment allowance application

   Have your new employer complete the employer's certification section, and submit it within 1 month from the day after you start. You can also send it by mail or apply online.

3. 3

   Wait for the payment decision

   Hello Work confirms your employment with the new company before deciding on payment. Expect about 1 to 1.5 months from application to transfer.

If you received the reemployment allowance, stay with the same company for 6 months or more, and your wages over that time fall below what you earned before leaving, you may be able to receive the employment promotion settling allowance (since April 2025, capped at the equivalent of 20% of your remaining benefit days). Neither allowance is taxable.

Calculate the amount for each start date with the tool

In the Reemployment allowance tab of the Unemployment Benefit Calculator (Japan), enter your last day of work, your filing date and your start date to see your remaining days, the rate, the allowance, and the start-date deadlines for 70% and 60%. For when benefits become payable, with a dated example, see when unemployment benefit starts after quitting.

FAQ

Is the reemployment allowance worse than taking all my unemployment benefit?

In allowance alone, you get 30 to 40% less than the basic allowance for the remaining days. But a job also brings a salary, so allowance plus pay is normally higher when you start sooner. At 6,207 yen a day with 71 days left, the basic allowance would be 440,697 yen and the reemployment allowance is 308,487 yen.

When is the reemployment allowance paid?

You apply within 1 month from the day after you start, and payment is decided once Hello Work confirms your employment with the new company. Expect about 1 to 1.5 months from application to transfer.

Can I get the allowance if I start a job during the benefit restriction?

Yes, but for a job starting in the 1 month after the waiting period, it must come through Hello Work or a licensed employment placement business such as a recruitment agency. Your remaining days haven't gone down, so the amount is close to the full 70%.

Can I get the allowance for a part-time job?

Yes, if you expect to work for more than 1 year and, in principle, the job is covered by employment insurance (20 or more hours a week). Short-term jobs and work under 20 hours a week don't qualify. In that case, report the days worked and your income on your certification day and keep receiving unemployment benefit.