The pension system in Japan is a two-tiered structure consisting of (1) the National Pension System and (2) the Employees' Pension System. This system is collectively called "Kokumin Kai Nenkin" (universal pension), and all residents of Japan between the ages of 20 and 60 are required to join the National Pension System.
Foreigners (mid- to long-term residents) are also required to join the National Pension System.
・What if I am a company employee?
If you are a company employee, you are generally enrolled in the (2) Employees' Pension Plan and have the premiums deducted from your salary. However, if you work as a company employee but are not enrolled in the employee pension plan, you should be very careful.
In this case, you need to go to the pension office and apply for the (1) National Pension System by yourself, so if you are not sure about your pension status, we recommend that you check your current pension status from your pay stub or withholding slip.
・For international students and others who cannot afford to pay the premiums
For international students and others who cannot afford to pay the premiums, there are "exemption systems" and "deferment systems" for National Pension Insurance premiums. If you are an international student, you can use the "Special Student Payment System". If you find it difficult to pay, don't leave it unattended; instead, check out the system that would best suit you.
・Can I apply for a permanent residence permit even though I have not paid my pension insurance premiums?
In the past, the Immigration Service Agency did not require applicants to submit any documents related to their pension contributions when applying for permanent residence. However, since last year, some regional immigration bureaus have started to examine the payment status of such premiums.
There are many cases where people have applied for permanent residence without any problems in renewing or changing their visas, only to be asked for additional information and discover that they have not paid their pension contributions. The decision on pension issues when applying for permanent residence is made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the place of application, the time of application, and the circumstances of the applicant. Therefore, it is dangerous to blindly trust information on the Internet or word of mouth from past applicants!
