Staying Healthy, Medical &

Insurance MattersAllen and Tim

DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!

STAYING HEALTHY AND ALIVE

Eat Healthy

Manage your stress/Be aware of your mental health

Find a means of exercise

Get sleep

Eat vegetables!

WASH YOUR HANDS

DRINK RESPONSIBLY! (Enkai’s included)

Don’t be stupid

Eating Healthy The Japanese diet might be different from your own:

smaller portions (less total calories), but typically more carbs

Familiar foods at Costco, Kaldi`s, etc.

Start with what you know, then branch out

Limit intake of combini bentos/instant ramen

School lunch (kyushoku) is high in calories

Learn to cook and experiment with Japanese foods

Build good eating habits instead of crash dieting

FOOD FRIENDSGreat friends

Japanese Radish - Daikon ( 大根 ) Spinach - Horenso ( ほうれんそう ) Tofu ( 豆腐 ) Sweet potato – Satsumaimo 　 ( さつま芋 ) Lotus root – Renkon ( 蓮根 ) 　 “Devil’s Tongue” -Konnyaku ( 蓮根 ) *no calories 　 Beans: adzuki, soy, garbanzo etc. Tea: green( 煎茶 ) barley ( 麦茶 ) sencha mugicha

Friends in moderation

Ramen, Udon, Soba

Tempura

WHITE RICE

Katsudon/Katsu-anything

(Fried items)

Local baked goods

Fast food

Mochi

Protein in JapanProtein is relatively expensive (vs. fat and carbs)

Pork is half the price of beef

Fish is an excellent source of protein

Meat is cheaper at Costco

Food TipsPre-prepared food will typically be high in carbs and

fat

Milk ( 牛乳 ) vs. Milk drinks (Calpis, Megumilk etc.)Milk drinks have more sugar.

“Regular” milk vs. Low fat milk 低脂肪

100% Fruit Juice ( 果汁 100%) vs. Juice drinks (eg. 果汁20%) 　

Peanut butter vs. Peanut spread

Pay attention to fat content of meat (e.g. Kobe beef)

Beer vs. Happoshu ( 発泡酒 Low Malt Beer)

Kyuushoku ( 給食 - School lunch for JHS) lots of carbs

How to fit exercise in your day

Join a bukatsu (school sports club) if you can

Join a gymsee if there is a city gymSome have restrictions on tattoosMotivation: gym buddies and accountability

Bike or walk when you can

Find an active hobbyHikingMartial arts

Allergy medicine (e.g.Allelock) is available from your doctor, but most of them cause drowsiness

Air out futon and pillows regularly

Wash your sheets often

Clean A/C filters and fans

Keep your home well ventilated

Hay fever season and is long (Feb-May)

Wear a face mask

Mental Health Culture shock affects everyone, be aware of steps

Unexpected life events

Have a support group

Stay in contact with friends/family back home

The winters are long – don’t become a hermit

JET support groups – anonymous JET line and Prefectural Advisor

We are all here for you!

Culture shockCulture shock affects everyone in different ways

Stay in contact with your family and friends

Stay busy

Utilize your support group

Be cool Summers in Gunma are HOT and HUMID

Sunscreen and hats because sun tanning is not healthy

Uniqlo line of quick drying clothes

Stay hydrated with water. Carbonated drinks/caffeine are diuretics

Keep a change of clothes at work

Japanese deodorant is relatively weak

Carry a sweat towel and hand fan with you

Prepare to complain a lot about how hot it is

Be Warm Winters in Gunma feel cold

Houses are built for the summer and usually not insulated

Buy thick blankets/duvets

Seal your windows with tape/bubble wrap

Heaters (kerosene, electric)

Your AC unit has a heat mode, but it uses a lot of power.

Kotatsu (heated tables) can be your best friend

Hang out with friends to share body heat

Prepare to complain a lot about how cold it is

If you get hurt/sick..Don’t be afraid to go to the doctor

Ask your supervisor for help/referral

Call 119 in event of a serious emergency

Wear a face mask

We are very well covered by our insurance

Keep all your receipts!!! You can be reimbursed through our insurance

With that said…

INSURANCE:YOU ARE COVERED BY FOUR TYPES (3 compulsary

social insurances and 1 special JET policy)National Health Insurance*Employee InsuranceEmployee Pension Insurance JET Accident Insurance*

Combined, these can give you 100% coverage

Your supervisor should assist you with insurance matters

CIR (Jaime Ota) can assist you if necessary

National Health InsuranceKeep your National Health Insurance Card on

you at all timesCoverage may be refused if you don`t have it

Half is covered by you, half by your CO

After your hospital/clinic visit you will receive a receipt for up to 30% of the total cost. You may be able to claim this money back through JET Accident Insurance

National Health Insurance continued

Sample benefits:Medical consultationMedicine/therapeutic materialstreatment, operations, therapeautic careHospitalizationNursingTransportation

Dependents are granted almost all same benefits, but must pay 20% of hospitalization and 30%out-of patient care

Pension InsuranceEnrollment is legally required

Provides for you/family if you are seriously injured or die

After leaving Japan, you are entitled to a partial refund

Pension refund contributions stop after 3 years

Employment InsuranceAlso required by all JETs

Unemployment benefits (doesn’t really apply to us)

JET Accident InsuranceJ.A.I. can cover remaining 30% not covered by

National Health Insurance (within limits of policy)Minus 5000 yen deductiblePlus claim filing and appropriate documentation

180 days from first appointment (or 180 days from date of injury) to file a claim

Ask supervisor to help you make claimProcess is in Gunma Orientation Handbook

JET Accident Insurance continued

Coverage:Death caused by accident/illnessDisabilityTreatment for injuries and illness during travel

More details in JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide

What is Not CoveredNational Health Insurance JET Accident Insurance

vaccinations Dental treatment of any kind

Injuries incurred while intoxicated Injuries while intoxicated

Medical costs before start of policy Whiplash/backproblems*

Abortion/contraceptives Personal liability from willful acts

Preventative treatment Treatment for dependants

Medical certificates and forms Injuries during work hours

Cosmetic surgery Liabilities arising from injury

Unecessary dental and optical Liabilities arising from automobiles

Unecessary physicals Loss or damage to belongings

Childbirth Over the counter medicine

REMEMBERStay within the 180 day JAI limit (after first

appointment)

Keep your receipts!!!

PaperworkGet it and fill it out properly

Medical statements when abroadBring copies and get them filled out properly

JET Accident Insurance Policy bookletRead it…then read it again