Do foreigners in Japan need to join the pension system? National Pension and Employees’ Pension basics

Short answer

Yes. In principle, anyone aged 20 to 59 who has an address in Japan is covered by the National Pension system regardless of nationality. If you work for an employer and are enrolled in Employees’ Pension, your employer handles that enrollment.

Which system applies?

• Enrolled in Employees’ Pension through work: your employer handles the procedure.
• Student, unemployed, self-employed, or otherwise not in Employees’ Pension: you are generally a Category 1 National Pension insured person.
• Dependent spouse of an Employees’ Pension member: you may qualify as a Category 3 insured person.

A common problem for foreign residents is a gap between entering Japan and starting Employees’ Pension, or between leaving one job and joining the next. Those months can become National Pension months.

If payment is difficult

Do not simply leave the premiums unpaid. Depending on your situation, exemption, payment deferment, or the student payment special system may be available. An approved exemption or deferment is different from an unpaid period.

Official information

• Japan Pension Service: coverage of foreign residents
• Japan Pension Service: National Pension enrollment