When Does Unemployment Benefit Start After Quitting in Japan? The 1-Month Restriction and First Payment

The benefit restriction became 1 month in April 2025

If you leave voluntarily without a justified reason, such as to change jobs, advance your career or get married, unemployment benefit isn't paid for a further set period after the 7-day waiting period ends. This is called the benefit restriction. For anyone leaving on or after April 1, 2025, the period is 1 month.

From leaving your job to the first payment

1. 1

   Leave and receive your separation certificate

   Your company files with Hello Work within 10 days from the day after you leave, and the separation certificate (forms 1 and 2) arrives at your home. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks after leaving.

2. 2

   Apply for work at Hello Work

   Go to the Hello Work for your address with your separation certificate, My Number Card (or a document showing your number plus ID), 2 photos (not needed if you show a My Number Card), and a bankbook or cash card in your own name. This day is the eligibility decision date.

3. 3

   7-day waiting period

   Nothing is paid for 7 days from the eligibility decision date, whatever your reason for leaving. If you do part-time or other work during this time, the waiting period gets longer.

4. 4

   Attend the employment insurance briefing

   It's held 1 to 3 weeks after the eligibility decision date. You receive your employment insurance eligibility card and the unemployment certification form, and you also learn your first certification day.

5. 5

   1-month benefit restriction (voluntary resignation)

   Nothing is paid for 1 month from the day after the waiting period ends. Keep up your job search during this time.

6. 6

   Get certified on your certification day

   In principle, once every 4 weeks, go to Hello Work on your assigned day and report your job-search activities. You're paid for the days that are certified.

7. 7

   The money reaches your account

   It's transferred to your designated account about 5 business days (1 week) after the certification day.

An example schedule with real dates

Here's a rough guide for someone who quits voluntarily on October 31, 2026 and files at Hello Work on Monday, November 9. With a 300,000-yen monthly salary, age 35 and 5 years of coverage, the basic daily allowance is 6,207 yen and the scheduled benefit days are 90. Certification days are assumed to fall every 4 weeks starting 4 weeks after filing, with payment 5 business days after each one (excluding weekends and holidays).

The total is 90 days, or 558,630 yen. It takes nearly two and a half months from leaving on October 31 to the first payment. That first payment covers only 19 days, so it's only about 40% of a monthly salary. Make sure your savings can cover 2 to 3 months of living costs after leaving, along with National Health Insurance premiums, National Pension premiums and resident tax. For how to use up your remaining paid leave before you go, see how to use paid leave before leaving.

Compared with employer-initiated separation and a third voluntary resignation

This comparison keeps the same schedule (leaving October 31, filing November 9, 300,000-yen salary, age 35, 5 years of coverage) and changes only the reason for leaving.

With no restriction, employer-initiated separation brings the first transfer about 1 month sooner. The scheduled benefit days also double to 180, so the difference in the total is 558,630 yen. Some cases that feel voluntary, such as encouraged resignation or long overtime, actually count as employer-initiated (specified qualified recipient). These are listed in how many days of unemployment benefit you get.

By when do you need to go to Hello Work?

The period in which you can receive unemployment benefit (the benefit period) is, in principle, 1 year from the day after you leave. Once it ends, you can't receive anything more, even if you have scheduled days left. The later you file, the harder it is to fit the waiting period, the restriction and all your paid days inside the benefit period.

In the example above (leaving October 31, voluntary, 90 days), filing by late June 2027 is enough to receive all 90 days. But people with more scheduled days face a much earlier deadline. For someone aged 50 with 25 years of coverage and employer-initiated separation (330 days), the benefit period extends by 30 days to November 30, 2027, yet receiving every day requires filing by December 29, 2026.

FAQ

If I quit voluntarily, when is my first unemployment payment?

Benefits become payable after the 7-day waiting period and the 1-month restriction, counted from the day you file at Hello Work, and the money arrives about 1 week after the next certification day. If you leave October 31 and file November 9, the first payment comes around January 12 of the following year and covers 19 days.

Can I do part-time work during the benefit restriction?

Yes, but you must report the days you worked on your unemployment certification form. Work of 20 or more hours a week expected to last 31 days or more falls under employment insurance and counts as having found a job. Working during the 7-day waiting period makes it longer, so avoid working during that time.

When does the benefit restriction become 3 months?

When it's your third or later voluntary resignation after being restricted 2 or more times in the past 5 years, and when you're dismissed for serious misconduct (a disciplinary dismissal for a grave reason attributable to you). Any other voluntary resignation on or after April 1, 2025 carries a 1-month restriction.

Can I go to Hello Work before my separation certificate arrives?

You can apply for work, but your eligibility can't be decided without the certificate. If it hasn't arrived 2 weeks after you leave, first check with your company. If it still doesn't come, consult Hello Work, which will press the company to send it.