Useful information (EN)

What Is the Difference Between a Visa and a Status of Residence in Japan?

In Japan, people often say work visa, student visa, or permanent resident visa, but a visa and a status of residence are legally different.

2026.10.15

Useful information (EN)

Leaving Japan: what happens to your pension? Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment and returning later

Foreign nationals leaving Japan may qualify for a Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment, but receiving it removes all Japanese pension coverage periods before the claim.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

Can old unpaid pension periods be fixed later? The difference between 2 years, 2 years 1 month, and 10 years

The 2-year, roughly 2-year-1-month, and 10-year rules refer to different procedures. Ordinary unpaid periods are not the same as approved exemption periods.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

How can unpaid pension affect permanent residence in Japan? Student years can matter too

Under the Permanent Residence Guidelines revised on October 1, 2026, pension status is considered across the periods in which you were required to be covered, not only recent working years.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

Received a National Pension unpaid notice? Check these 3 things before paying

An unpaid notice does not always mean every listed month is correct. Check eligibility, pending exemptions, and job/overseas records first.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

Moved in Japan: do you need to change your pension address?

If your My Number is linked to your Basic Pension Number, a separate pension address-change notice is generally unnecessary. There are important exceptions.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

Do you pay pension while temporarily outside Japan? Keeping or removing your Japanese address

Pension during a temporary trip home depends on whether you still have an address in Japan and whether you remain enrolled in Employees’ Pension.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

Do you pay pension during a gap between jobs? Even a short gap can require a procedure

Even a short gap between jobs can require a National Pension switch, but it does not always mean you owe an extra National Pension premium for that month.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

What happens to pension after leaving a job? Switching from Employees’ Pension to National Pension

If you leave a company and do not immediately enter Employees’ Pension at your next job, you generally need to switch to National Pension.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)

Pension for international students: student payment special, exemption, and unpaid periods

International students aged 20 or over are generally covered by National Pension. This explains the difference between an approved student special period and simply not paying.

2026.10.07

Useful information (EN)