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If you live in Japan and are aged 20 to 59, you must join the public pension system. Your nationality doesn’t matter. In fiscal year 2026, the national pension premium is ¥17,920 a month. Company employees pay half of an 18.3% premium instead. With 10 years of coverage, you can receive an old-age pension from 65, even after you leave Japan.
Key facts (as of October 2026)
- Who must join: All residents of Japan aged 20 to 59, regardless of nationality. (Japan Pension Service)
- National pension premium: ¥17,920 a month (April 2026 to March 2027). (Japan Pension Service)
- Employees’ pension premium: 18.3% of your standard monthly pay, split equally with your employer. (Japan Pension Service)
- Old-age pension: Needs 10 years of coverage. Starts at 65 in principle. (Japan Pension Service)
- Leaving Japan: You may claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment, or keep your record for a future pension.
Do foreigners have to join Japan’s pension system?
Yes. All residents of Japan aged 20 to 59 must enroll in the national pension (kokumin nenkin, 国民年金). This applies regardless of nationality. (Japan Pension Service)
The system puts you in one of three categories. (Japan Pension Service)
| Category | Who | Who pays |
|---|---|---|
| Category I | Self-employed people, students, unemployed people, and others aged 20 to 59 not in II or III | You pay the national pension premium |
| Category II | Employees enrolled in the employees’ pension | You and your employer, through payroll |
| Category III | Dependent spouses of Category II members, aged 20 to 59 and living in Japan | No premium of your own |
Category III spouses don’t pay their own premium. (Japan Pension Service)
There are two exceptions. People on certain visas, such as medical stay or long stay for sightseeing, are not covered as Category I or III. (Japan Pension Service) People sent from a country with a social security agreement may also be exempt. More on that below.
National pension or employees’ pension: which one are you in?
It depends on how you work. Company employees are usually in the employees’ pension (kosei nenkin hoken, 厚生年金保険). Everyone else aged 20 to 59 is in the national pension as Category I.
Employees’ pension
Workplaces covered by the employees’ pension include all corporations. Businesses in certain fields with 5 or more workers are also covered. Regular employees and officers there must join, regardless of nationality. (Japan Pension Service)
You can’t opt out. It is not a contract that you or your employer can choose. (Japan Pension Service)
Part-timers must join if their hours and days are at least three-quarters of a regular worker’s. If not, they still join when all four of these apply. (Japan Pension Service)
- You work 20 hours or more a week.
- Your job is expected to last two months or longer.
- You are not a student.
- Your employer is a larger workplace, such as one expected to have more than 50 workers.
Your employer must enroll you within 5 days of hiring. You are then automatically in the national pension too, as Category II. (Japan Pension Service, Japan Pension Service)
National pension (Category I)
When you arrive in Japan, you are in Category I until you join through an employer or as a dependent spouse. You must register at your city hall within 14 days. (Japan Pension Service)
How much do you pay?
That depends on your category. The national pension is a flat amount. The employees’ pension is a share of your pay.
National pension premium
The premium is ¥17,920 a month for fiscal year 2026 (April 2026 to March 2027). Each month’s premium is due by the end of the following month. (Japan Pension Service)
You can pay with these methods, and none charge a fee. (Japan Pension Service)
- Payment slips from the Japan Pension Service
- Automatic bank transfer, or credit card (register in advance)
- Smartphone payment apps
- Pay-easy, using details shown on Nenkin Net
You can’t pay at city hall. Paying in advance gives a discount. (Japan Pension Service) The premiums you pay are fully deductible from income for income tax and resident tax. (Japan Pension Service)
Employees’ pension premium
The rate is fixed at 18.3%. (Japan Pension Service) It applies to your standard monthly remuneration and your bonuses. You and your employer each pay half. Your employer deducts your share from your pay. (Japan Pension Service)
Here is an illustration only. If your standard monthly remuneration is ¥300,000, the total is ¥54,900 a month. Your half is ¥27,450. Your actual amount comes from the official table and will differ. Health insurance premiums are separate.
What do you get back?
The main benefit is an old-age pension. The system also pays disability and survivors’ pensions if you meet the conditions. (Japan Pension Service)
Old-age basic pension
You can receive it from age 65 with 10 years or more of coverage. Coverage includes paid months and exempted months, under either pension. (Japan Pension Service)
The full amount is ¥847,300 a year in fiscal year 2026, for 40 years of payments. With fewer paid months, the amount goes down in proportion. (Japan Pension Service)
Illustration only: with exactly 10 years paid and no exemptions, the formula gives ¥847,300 × 120 ÷ 480 = ¥211,825 a year. Your record will decide your real amount.
You can choose to start between 60 and 75. Starting at 60 pays 76% of the age-65 amount. Starting at 75 or later pays 184%. (Japan Pension Service)
Old-age employees’ pension
If you had at least one month in the employees’ pension, you get this on top of the basic pension from 65. You must also qualify for the basic pension. (Japan Pension Service)
Living abroad later
You can receive your Japanese pension in a bank account outside Japan. You need to file a notice that registers your overseas address and bank. (Japan Pension Service)
What if you can’t afford the national pension premium?
Apply for an exemption or postponement instead of leaving it unpaid. Unpaid months can cost you disability or survivors’ pensions. (Japan Pension Service)
| Option | Who can apply | Effect on your pension |
|---|---|---|
| Full or partial exemption | Low prior-year income for you, your spouse, or household head, or job loss | Counts toward 10 years. Part of the amount is kept |
| Postponement | Aged 20 to 49, with low prior-year income for you and your spouse | Counts toward 10 years. No amount unless you pay later |
| Student special payment system | Students with low income of their own | Counts toward 10 years. No amount unless you pay later |
Sources: Japan Pension Service, Japan Pension Service (English)
For a full exemption from April 2009 on, you keep half of that month’s pension amount. (Japan Pension Service) Partial exemptions in fiscal year 2026 leave you paying ¥4,480, ¥8,960, or ¥13,440 a month. (Japan Pension Service)
A few rules to know. (Japan Pension Service, Japan Pension Service (English))
- One application covers up to one year. Apply again each year.
- You can apply for past months up to 2 years and 1 month back.
- You can pay exempted premiums later, up to 10 years back. An extra charge applies after the third fiscal year.
Students apply at city hall, a pension office, or a school approved to handle it. Mail and online applications are possible. (Japan Pension Service)
How do social security agreements help?
Japan has agreements with some countries to stop double payments and to add up coverage periods. (Japan Pension Service)
As of October 2026, agreements with 24 countries are in force. (Japan Pension Service)
| Agreement type | Countries |
|---|---|
| No double payments, and periods added up | Germany, United States, Belgium, France, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain, Ireland, Brazil, Switzerland, Hungary, India, Luxembourg, Philippines, Slovak Republic, Finland, Sweden, Austria |
| No double payments only | United Kingdom, Republic of Korea, China, Italy |
If your employer in an agreement country sends you to Japan for 5 years or less, you usually stay in your home system only. Locally hired workers join Japan’s system. (Japan Pension Service)
Adding up periods can help you meet the 10-year rule for a Japanese pension. (Japan Pension Service) Each agreement has its own rules, so check the page for your country.
What happens to your pension when you leave Japan?
You have two broad paths. You can keep your record, or claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment (dattai ichijikin, 脱退一時金).
The lump-sum payment has strict rules. (Japan Pension Service, Japan Pension Service, claim form)
- You need 6 months or more of coverage, and less than 10 years.
- You must claim within 2 years of losing your address in Japan.
- At most 60 months count toward the payment.
- All months used for the claim are erased from your record.
- You can’t claim if agreement periods bring you to 120 months or more.
Which path fits depends on your plans and your home country. This article doesn’t recommend one. For amounts, documents, and the tax refund, see Japan Pension Refund (Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment).
What mistakes do foreign residents often make?
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Not registering within 14 days of arrival | Category I members must register at city hall themselves |
| Leaving premiums unpaid | Unpaid months can cost you disability or survivors’ pensions |
| Not reapplying for an exemption | Each application covers up to one year |
| Claiming the lump sum without checking agreements | Claimed months can’t be added up under an agreement |
Sources: Japan Pension Service, Japan Pension Service, Japan Pension Service, claim form
To build savings beyond the public pension, see iDeCo for Foreigners in Japan.
FAQ
Do I have to pay into Japan’s pension as a foreigner?
Yes, if you live in Japan and are aged 20 to 59. Nationality doesn’t matter. Some visa types and agreement-country transfers are exceptions. (Japan Pension Service)
How much is the national pension premium in 2026?
¥17,920 a month for April 2026 to March 2027. (Japan Pension Service)
Can I get a Japanese pension if I leave Japan?
Yes, if you have 10 years of coverage. You can receive it in an overseas bank account after filing a notice. (Japan Pension Service)
I’m a student. Do I have to pay?
You must join at 20. If your own income is low, you can apply to postpone payments under the student special payment system. (Japan Pension Service)
Does my country have a social security agreement with Japan?
Japan has agreements in force with 24 countries. Check the list above or the Japan Pension Service page. (Japan Pension Service)
Can I opt out of the employees’ pension?
No. If your workplace is covered and you meet the conditions, you must join. (Japan Pension Service)
This article is general information, not tax, legal, or pension advice. Information is as of October 5, 2026. Rules and amounts change each fiscal year, so check the Japan Pension Service before you act. Sources: Japan Pension Service (English), National pension premium, Employees’ pension rate, Exemptions, Social security agreements.