Staying Healthy, Medical & Insurance Matters

1. Staying Healthy,Medical & Insurance Matters Allen and Tim

2. DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE!!!

3. 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

4. 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

5. FOOD FRIENDS Great friends Friends in moderation Ramen, Udon, Soba Tempura WHITE RICE Katsudon/Katsu-anything (Fried items) Local baked goods Fast food Mochi • 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

6. Protein in Japan • Protein 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

7. Food Tips • Pre-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

8. How to fit exercise in your day • Join a bukatsu (school sports club) if you can • Join a gym • see if there is a city gym • Some have restrictions on tattoos • Motivation: gym buddies and accountability • Bike or walk when you can • Find an active hobby • Hiking • Martial arts

9. Sinus problems/Allergens • 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

10. 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!

11. Culture shock • Culture shock affects everyone in different ways • Stay in contact with your family and friends • Stay busy • Utilize your support group

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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…

15. INSURANCE: • YOU ARE COVERED BY FOUR TYPES (3 compulsary social insurances and 1 special JET policy) • National Health Insurance* • Employee Insurance • Employee 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

16. National Health Insurance • Keep your National Health Insurance Card on you at all times • Coverage 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

17. National Health Insurance continued • Sample benefits: • Medical consultation • Medicine/therapeutic materials • treatment, operations, therapeautic care • Hospitalization • Nursing • Transportation • Dependents are granted almost all same benefits, but must pay 20% of hospitalization and 30%out-of patient care

18. Pension Insurance • Enrollment 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

19. Employment Insurance • Also required by all JETs • Unemployment benefits (doesn’t really apply to us)

20. JET Accident Insurance • J.A.I. can cover remaining 30% not covered by National Health Insurance (within limits of policy) • Minus 5000 yen deductible • Plus 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 claim • Process is in Gunma Orientation Handbook

21. JET Accident Insurance continued • Coverage: • Death caused by accident/illness • Disability • Treatment for injuries and illness during travel • More details in JET Accident Insurance Policy Guide

22. What is Not Covered

23. REMEMBER • Stay within the 180 day JAI limit (after first appointment) • Keep your receipts!!! • Paperwork • Get it and fill it out properly • Medical statements when abroad • Bring copies and get them filled out properly • JET Accident Insurance Policy booklet • Read it…then read it again 