Japan’s national pension payment slips and exemptions: a guide for foreign residents
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Everyone living in Japan between the ages of 20 and 59 must join the national pension system, regardless of nationality. If you are not enrolled in an employer’s Employees’ Pension, the Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) sends you 「国民年金保険料 納付書」 payment slips.
Who receives payment slips?
Self-employed people, freelancers, students and people without work (Category 1 insured persons) pay national pension premiums themselves.
If you are a company employee enrolled in Employees’ Pension (厚生年金), premiums come out of your salary and you will not get national pension slips. A dependent spouse of such an employee (Category 3) does not pay separately either.
Due dates and amounts
Premiums are monthly, and each month’s premium is due by the end of the following month. One slip covers one month.
The premium changes every fiscal year, so check the amount printed on your slip. Paying 6 months, 1 year or 2 years in advance (「前納」) earns a discount.
How to pay
- •With the slip at a bank, post office or convenience store
- •With a smartphone payment app using the slip’s barcode
- •By setting up bank account transfer (口座振替) or credit card payment
If you cannot afford it, apply for an exemption
If your income is low or you lost your job, you can apply for an exemption (「免除」) or a payment deferral (「納付猶予」) at your municipality’s national pension desk or a pension office (年金事務所), or online through Mynaportal.
Students can use the Student Payment Special Exemption (「学生納付特例」). Not paying is different from being exempt: exempt periods still count toward pension eligibility and keep disability pension coverage.
If you leave it unpaid
Continued non-payment leads to reminder notices and can eventually lead to seizure of assets.
Applications for permanent residency also check your public pension payment record, so unpaid periods can count against you.
Leaving Japan: the lump-sum withdrawal payment
Foreign nationals who paid national pension for 6 months or more can claim a lump-sum withdrawal payment (「脱退一時金」) after leaving Japan. Claim it from the Japan Pension Service within 2 years of leaving.
However, if your country has a social security agreement with Japan (Korea, for example), your coverage periods can be combined, and taking the lump sum erases them. Check which option is better first.
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