Free Choice Foundation

[Stevyn]

http://www.freechoice.jp/

The Free Choice Foundation is a 'grassroots' organization that strives to heighten both government and public awareness to issues of importance to foreigners living and working in Japan.
Why NOT one health plan for everyone?

Originally founded in response to new Immigration Guideline No. 8 (which would have required visa applicants to provide proof of enrollment in Japan's social medical system as a prerequisite for application approval), Free Choice marshaled significant opposition to the pending legislation. Standing on the principle that foreign residents should be given the right to choose which type of health care (public or private) they participate in because of their unique expatriate needs, we have succeeded in persuading the Justice Ministry to 'rethink' the proposed guideline. Note: the guideline does not apply to 'permanent residents.'

Furthermore . . .

To force expatriates who have been living in Japan for any length of time to suddenly join the public health care system would mean they would have to pay up to 2 - 5 years in back premiums. The government did not carefully take this into consideration when drafting the new immigration guidelines. However, due a considerable number of inquires from foreigners faced with this dilemma, the government has finally come to realize that this is not as simple as putting posters on the wall at immigration offices. The issue is a complicated one involving non-Japanese from many cultures and social backgrounds.

But at the same time . . .

Free choice means having the right to choose. A non-Japanese who desires to be on public health care should also not be denied access to it.

A voice for foreigners' rights . . .

While the right to choose one's health care is of major concern, Free Choice understands that there are also numerous other issues of importance to expatriates in Japan. (Please see our poll at the top of the page.) We intend to bring those concerns to the public eye and consciousness; to strive for foreigners' rights and issues that affect us. All residents of Japan - whether natural citizen or foreigner - have a right to be heard; indeed, Article 16 of Japan's Constitution guarantees the right of all people in Japan to petition the government for the enactment, repeal or amendment of laws, ordinances or regulations. With this Constitutional article in mind, the Free Choice Foundation will peacefully and respectfully exercise its right to petition the government on matters of importance to foreign residents here.