I work for an employer
Check whether Employees' Pension Insurance is handled through your employer and what happens if your job changes.
Pension
Pension information in Japan
Use this guide when you need to understand which Japanese pension source to check for enrolment, contributions, exemptions, benefits, pension records, leaving Japan, or international social security agreements.
Official sources, reviewed by Sollo. Source corpus updated 2026-06-24.
Choose your situation
I am not covered through work
Check National Pension enrolment and contribution information through Japan Pension Service or your municipality.
I cannot pay contributions
Check official exemption, postponement, or student special payment information. Requirements and procedures must be confirmed officially.
I am leaving Japan
Check lump-sum withdrawal, pension record, and international agreement information before assuming what applies.
I worked in another country
Check whether a social security agreement exists between Japan and that country and what it means for coverage or benefit periods.
Official source map
Japan Pension Service
National Pension, Employees' Pension Insurance, contributions, exemptions, benefits, records, offices, and consultation.
Employer
Workplace social insurance enrolment, employee pension procedures, and dependent changes connected to employment.
Municipality
Some National Pension procedures and local resident-related updates.
International agreement pages
Country-specific social security agreements, certificates of coverage, totalization, and avoiding duplicate coverage where applicable.
What to prepare
Prepare your Basic Pension Number or pension notices if available, My Number information if requested, residence card if applicable, employer details, periods worked, contribution notices, student status, income information, and leaving-Japan timeline if relevant.
Official sources
This reviewed shortlist provides official starting points. Use the complete filtered directory for more sources.
National Pension Contributions Guide
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentEmployees' Pension Insurance for seafarers
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentWhy the Japanese Pension System Matters
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentJapanese Pension System Operations Guide
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentEmployees' Pension Insurance overview
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentEmployees' Pension Insurance procedures
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentEmployees' Pension dependent procedures
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentEmployees' Pension contribution information
Japan Pension Service
Japan Pension Service official document related to living in japan, pension, job loss.
Open official documentCommon questions
Do foreign residents need to check pension information?
Foreign residents may be connected to Japan's public pension system depending on age, residence, work, and coverage status. Confirm with official sources.
What if I cannot pay?
Check official exemption or postponement information rather than ignoring notices. Procedures and eligibility vary by situation.
Can I get money back when leaving Japan?
Some people may be able to apply for lump-sum withdrawal, but rules depend on your pension record and circumstances. Check Japan Pension Service.
What are social security agreements?
They are arrangements between Japan and other countries that may affect duplicate coverage or benefit periods. Check country-specific official pages.
Important note
Sollo helps you find and organize official public information. It does not decide eligibility, submit applications, or replace advice from a government office or qualified adviser. Official rules can change and may depend on your location, household, income, residence status, employment, and application timing. Always confirm details with the linked official source or the relevant office before acting.
How Sollo can help
Sollo helps you separate pension enrolment, contribution, exemption, benefit, leaving-Japan, and international-agreement questions.