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- Quick updates from Asia and Happy New Year! 🇹🇼🇯🇵
Quick updates from Asia and Happy New Year! 🇹🇼🇯🇵
Michael Wu
January 21, 2025
Quick updates as I have been flying around a lot recently! I wanted to highlight an upcoming session over Zoom tomorrow from General Union about PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans) and how to fight them in Japan. I promise some juicy articles are coming out soon though! Lunar New Year is also coming up, I hope everyone enjoys the celebrations!
Table of Contents
How to deal with PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans) in Japan
Working in the IT/Tech Industry and concerned about PIPs (Performance Improvement Plans) and getting let go from your job? General Union is labor group based in Japan, and they are inviting all interested people working in the IT/Tech industry to come out to a workshop titled “How to Fight a PIP” workshop on 22 January at 19:30 JST via Zoom. Please sign up here to attend.
Japan making it easier to stay with a startup visa
Japan in recent years has made a startup visa available for foreign entrepreneurs. From Nikkei (paid article), the rules have been relaxed so that people have a 2 year grace period to meet the requirements, and the program is now available nationwide, not just in certain areas. For further details, you can read the Nikkei article, or search online for other sources.
Taipei MRT to add support for additional payment types
The Taipei MRT for a long time has only supported EasyCard and other compatible systems like iPass to pay for rides. The Taipei MRT agency has now confirmed that they will add support for credit card payments, Apple Pay, and QR code payments like LINE Pay. This does NOT include plans to bind EasyCards to Apple Pay unfortunately. For more details, you can read the article (in Chinese).
Amazon Joins the Furusato Nozei Game (ふるさと納税, Furusato Nōzei)
Amazon has launched the ability to make Furusato Nozei purchases, adding another convenient option for expats and residents looking to make their donations. With the new year, the annual limit for contributions has reset, so now is the time to calculate your eligible amount and plan accordingly. Note that since these are in reality donations, purchases are non-cancellable and non-refundable.
To estimate your donation cap and tax savings, tools like Furusato Tax or Rakuten’s Deduction Calculator can be helpful.
Important Update: Changes to Taiwan's NHI Rules 🇹🇼
Taiwan has introduced new rules that require citizens living abroad to continue paying monthly National Health Insurance (NHI) premiums to maintain their coverage. Previously, citizens could suspend their contributions while overseas more than 6 months and reactivate their NHI by paying three months of back premiums upon returning. Starting this week, this option has been eliminated, though those who suspended contributions before the rule change are grandfathered under the old policy.
For those who no longer want to pay premiums, the only option is to unenroll from NHI by terminating their household registration. Re-enrollment is possible if returning to Taiwan within four years, but requires paying back premiums for the first two years abroad. Citizens abroad for over four years face stricter conditions: they must live in Taiwan for six months before re-enrolling, in addition to covering two years of premiums. Those returning for work, however, can resume NHI immediately through their employer.
This shift means citizens planning extended stays abroad should carefully weigh their options. Maintaining coverage ensures seamless access to the healthcare system but comes with ongoing costs. Unenrollment may offer savings but requires planning for re-enrollment if returning to Taiwan.
Conclusions
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