What if a Family Member Passes Away?

Survivor's Pension (Japan Pension Service)
Covers: Public pension payers

The system differs depending on the pension (National Pension Plan or Employees' Pension Plan) in which the deceased person was enrolled.

National Pension Plan (Basic Pension for Surviving Family)

When a person who is enrolled in the National Pension Plan dies, a basic pension for surviving family is paid to a spouse with a child who has reached the age of 18 by the end of the fiscal year (under 20 for persons with disabilities) or a child whose livelihood was maintained by the deceased person.

Employees' Pension (Employees' Pension for Surviving Family)

When a person enrolled in the Employees' Pension Plan dies (within five years from the date of first diagnosis due to injury or illness while enrolled), an employees' pension for surviving family is paid to the bereaved family members (1. spouse or child, 2. parents, 3. grandchildren, 4. grandparents in order of priority) whose livelihood was maintained by the deceased person. Wives with children, or such children, are also entitled to a basic pension for surviving family.

For detailed information on the requirements for receiving benefits, the amount to be paid, etc., please visit the website of the Japan Pension Service
(https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/jukyu/izokunenkin/jukyu-yoken/20150401-03.html)
or search for "Pension Service Pension for Surviving Family."

For more information, please contact the "Nenkin Dial" (pension hotline), your local pension office or pension consultation center. Please also consult your local municipality regarding the National Pension Plan.

Industrial Accident Compensation Pension (Labor Standards Inspection Office)
Covers: Accidents on the job or during commuting

If a person dies in a traffic accident while on the job or while commuting to work, compensation benefits for surviving family (in the case of a work-related accident) or benefits for surviving family (in the case of a commuting accident) will be paid to the bereaved family. In addition, funeral expenses (in the case of a work-related accident) or funeral benefits (in the case of a commuting accident) will be paid to bereaved family members who hold a funeral.
Those eligible for the survivor's (compensation) pension are the spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, grandparents, and siblings who were dependent on the income of the deceased worker at the time of his/her death. However, there are conditions for bereaved family members other than the wife.
The National Pension Plan (basic pension for surviving family) and the Employees' Pension Plan (employees' pension for surviving family) can be paid together, but the industrial accident compensation pension is paid at a reduced rate.

For detailed information on eligibility requirements and payment amounts, please visit the website of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare
(https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/roudoukijun/pamphlet_faq.html)
or search for "Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Industrial Accident Compensation."

For details, please contact the Workers' Compensation Hotline or the Labor Standards Inspection Office in the area where you work.

Livelihood Welfare Fund Loan System (Council of Social Welfare of Each Municipality)
Covers: Low-income and certified disabled households, not limited to families of victims of traffic accidents

For low-income households that have difficulty borrowing necessary funds from other sources and households that include a person with a disability certificate, this program provides a set of necessary loans and ongoing counseling and support by the Council of Social Welfare and Hello Work (job-search center), etc. to help them rebuild their lives and achieve economic independence.

For detailed information on loan types, conditions, etc., please visit the website of the National Council of Social Welfare
(https://www.shakyo.or.jp/guide/shikin/seikatsu/index.html)
or search for "National Council of Social Welfare and Livelihood Welfare Fund Loan."

For more information, please contact your local Council of Social Welfare.

Loans for Single-Parent Families (Local Government in Each Area)
Covers: Single-parent families and children without parents

The purpose of this interest-free loan system is to support the financial independence of single-parent families, promote their motivation in life, and promote the welfare of their dependent children. This is an interest-free loan system. (Interest-bearing loans are available for those without a joint guarantor.)
For more information, please contact the department in charge of childcare in your local municipality.

Loan Program for children orphaned etc. by traffic accidents (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA))
Covers: Death and severe residual disability, up to junior high school graduation

Children up to junior high school graduation from families (low-income families) whose guardians have been killed or left with severe residual disability as a result of an automobile accident are eligible to receive interest-free loans from NASVA for living expenses.
The loan amount is 155,000 yen per child as an initial lump sum and 10,000 yen or 20,000 yen per month (optional) after the month of decision. In addition, upon entering elementary school and junior high school, students may receive a loan of 44,000 yen each for school enrollment expenses if they so desire.

For information on who is eligible for loans and how to apply, please visit the NASVA website
(https://www.nasva.go.jp/sasaeru/koutu.html）
or search for "NASVA Loan for Children Orphaned Etc. by Traffic Accidents."

For more information, please contact your local NASVA branch office.

Scholarship Loan Program (Kotsuiji Ikueikai; this is a society providing scholarships to children orphaned etc. by traffic accidents.)
Covers: Death, severe residual disability, high school students and older

This program provides scholarships to students of high-school age and above from families whose parents or guardians were killed in a road traffic accident or who are unable to work due to severe residual disabilities, and supports their studies by lending them scholarships. (Some universities, etc. have a benefit system.)

For detailed information on scholarship types, loan and benefit amounts, etc., please visit the website of the Kotsuiji Ikueikai
(https://www.kotsuiji.com/howto/index.html)
or search for "Kotsuiji Ikueikai."

For details, please contact the Kotsuiji Ikueikai

Scholarship Loan Program (Japan Student Services Organization)
Covers: Junior college students, university students, etc.; not limited to families of victims of traffic accidents

Scholarship loans are provided to outstanding junior college, university, and graduate school students who face financial difficulty in pursuing their studies.

For detailed information on scholarships, such as the application procedure and types of loan, please visit the website of the Japan Student Services Organization
(https://www.jasso.go.jp/shogakukin/about/index.html)
or search for "Japan Student Services Organization."

For more information, please contact your child's school.

Development Fund System for Children Orphaned by Traffic Accidents, Etc (Foundation for Orphans from Automobile Accident)
Covers: Death, under 16 years of age

When children who have lost a parent in an automobile accident enroll in the fund by contributing a portion of their compensation from non-life insurance companies (or mutual aid associations), this contribution is combined with government and private sector subsidies and managed securely to provide development benefits until the child reaches 19 years of age

For detailed information on membership requirements, application procedures, etc., please refer to the website of the Foundation for Orphans from Automobile Accident
(http://www.kotsuiji.or.jp/ikuseikikin.html )
or search for "Foundation for Orphans."

For more information, please contact the Foundation for Orphans from Automobile Accident.

Provision of livelihood funds, etc. (Foundation for Orphans from Automobile Accident)
Covers: Death and severe residual disability, up to junior high school graduation

Families with particularly needy children (up to junior high school graduation) of victims who have died or been left with severe residual disability as a result of automobile accidents are eligible to receive year-end allowances school enrollment expenses, and employment preparation allowances.

For detailed information on payment requirements and application procedures, please visit the website of the Foundation for Orphans from Automobile Accident
(https://www.kotsuiji.or.jp/shien.html)
or search for "Foundation for Orphans."

For more information, please contact the Foundation for Orphans from Automobile Accident.

School fund support project for orphans from automobile accidents (Expressway Welfare Foundation)
Covers: Children of victims of accidents on highways; fatalities; high school students, etc.

The program provides a school fund (repayment not required) to high school students and other students whose guardians were killed in traffic accidents on roads managed by East Nippon Expressway Company Limited, Central Nippon Expressway Company Limited, and West Nippon Expressway Company Limited, and who face financial difficulty in completing their studies. In addition, children who graduate from high school, etc., after receiving the scholarship are eligible to receive a Graduation Celebration Grant.
This scholarship is provided even if the student is receiving a scholarship or lump-sum loan or benefit from another organization.

For detailed information on who is eligible for the benefit and the amount of the benefit, please visit the website of the Expressway Welfare Foundation
(https://www.douro-kouseikai.org)
or search for "Expressway Welfare Foundation."

For more information, please contact the Expressway Welfare Foundation.

"Tomo-no-Kai" support association for children orphaned etc. by traffic accidents (National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid and Prevention (NASVA))
Covers: Death and severe residual disability, up to junior high school graduation

The "Tomo-no-Kai" support association for children of accident victims has been established to encourage solidarity among members and promote the healthy upbringing of children who have lost their parents in traffic accidents. Membership is free, and consists of children who have lost their parents in traffic accidents, and the families of these children. Currently, approximately 1,700 members are active.

Quarterly Newsletter: Tomo-no-Kai Dayori

Tomo-no-Kai Dayori posts updates from members all over the country and reports on meetings of the member families, providing a forum for children and their families to interact.

Contests of Paintings, Photos and Calligraphy

These contests provide an opportunity for children to enrich their sensibilities through the creation of artworks and to motivate them by giving them a sense of accomplishment when their work is completed.

Meetings of the member families, including exposure to nature and hands-on learning

Gatherings are held with unique local themes, such as opportunities to interact with nature and experience crafts (pottery, soba noodle making, etc.). This provides opportunities for children and family members to create fun memories together. The meetings are held in 50 locations nationwide.

For information on membership eligibility and how to enroll, please visit the NASVA website
(https://www.nasva.go.jp/sasaeru/tomonokai.html)
or search for "NASVA 'Tomo-no-Kai.'"

For more information, please contact your local NASVA branch office.

Consultation and Support Services by the National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims' Aid (NASVA)

NASVA offers free consultation services whereby people can consult with accident victims' groups, and share their concerns with like-minded people.

For more information, please visit the NASVA website
(https://www.nasva.go.jp/sasaeru/soudan-shien.html)
or search for "NASVA Consultation Support Organizations."

Traffic Accident Victim Support Program (National Police Agency)

The National Police Agency has prepared manuals for support personnel and self-help groups and pamphlets for victims of traffic accidents, etc., based on feedback and the on-the-ground situation of victim support. They can be used to help victims of traffic accidents and others understand and solve their problems, etc.

For more information, please visit the website of the National Police Agency.
(https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/traffic/jikosupport/index.html)
or search for "National Police Agency Traffic Accident Victim Support Program."