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

Short answer
1. Were you actually a Category 1 National Pension member that month?
2. Did you already apply for exemption or the student special system?
3. Was it a gap between jobs?
If it is a genuine unpaid period
Official information

Short answer

Before assuming you must pay every month listed on an unpaid notice, check the month-by-month record. For foreign residents, mismatches can happen around job changes, entry/exit from Japan, and address changes.

1. Were you actually a Category 1 National Pension member that month?

Check whether you had an address in Japan and whether you were already enrolled in Employees’ Pension. If the notice includes months after a genuine overseas move or months covered by Employees’ Pension, the record may need correction.

2. Did you already apply for exemption or the student special system?

There can be a delay before the result is reflected in the pension record. A reminder may cross in the mail with an application that is still being processed.

3. Was it a gap between jobs?

The period between leaving one employer and joining the next can become Category 1 National Pension. Changing companies does not always connect every period automatically.

If it is a genuine unpaid period

You may still be able to pay it if it is within the payment period. If payment is difficult, consider whether exemption or deferment is available instead of simply ignoring the notice.