KUALA LUMPUR - Yamanashi Governor Kotaro Nagasaki announced on February 27 that the prefecture will add India to the list of countries covered under its insurance program for families of foreign workers employed in the prefecture.

Yamanashi has been promoting initiatives to create an environment where all residents, including foreign nationals, can work and live with peace of mind.

The insurance scheme for foreign workers’ families is a program unique to Yamanashi Prefecture. 

It was introduced to help local companies facing labor shortages secure and retain foreign talent needed for business continuity, productivity improvements, and overseas market development.

As part of efforts to promote the proper acceptance and long-term retention of foreign workers, the prefecture established a private medical and accident insurance framework designed to reassure workers by extending coverage to family members living in their home countries.

Under the system, when a foreign worker employed in Yamanashi enrolls in a local private medical and accident insurance plan, eligible family members residing in the worker’s home country can receive benefits.

The program was first launched in June 2024 for Vietnam, which is believed to account for the largest share of foreign workers in the prefecture.

Under the expanded scheme, if an Indian worker enrolls in the insurance and the employer covers at least half of the premium, the prefectural government will subsidize the employer up to 13,000 yen per worker annually.

The prefecture estimates that approximately 450 Indian nationals currently reside in Yamanashi.

Officials say the expansion also aligns with the prefecture’s efforts to strengthen ties with India, particularly in the hydrogen sector, where Yamanashi has been actively pursuing collaboration.

The expanded program is scheduled to take effect in April.