The Kokumin Nenkin or National Pension is a public pension system that provides benefits to the elderly and disable (called “Old-age Basic Pension” and “Disability Basic Pension” respectively. All persons aged 20 to 59 who have an address in Japan, including international students, must enroll in the National Pension system.

【Reference】 Japan Pension Service
Japanese National Pension System (Multilingual Pamphlet)：https://www.nenkin.go.jp/service/pamphlet/kaigai/kokunenseido.html
International：https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/index.html
Consultation：https://www.nenkin.go.jp/international/index.files/02.pdf

Enrollment and Withdrawal Procedures at Local Municipal Offices

Enrollment

<If you were over 20 years old when you arrived in Japan>
When you register yourself with your municipality, you need to enroll in the National Pension as well.

<If you turned 20 years old after you arrived in Japan>
You will receive an “Application Form to Enroll in National Pension” and a “National Pension payment slip” in the post when you turn 20 years old. Take the necessary steps according to the notification.

A pension handbook will be issued after completion of the enrollment procedures. The pension handbook is very important item that contains personal identification information. You will need it if you continue to be a resident of Japan after graduation from the university. For instance, you will be asked to submit it to your employer when you become a full-time employee in Japan. Please keep it for future use even after you leave the country. When you become a resident of Japan again in the future, you will need it so your payment history can be tracked.

Withdrawal (When Leaving Japan)

You can apply for withdrawal from the National Pension system at your local municipal office or at one of the Japan Pension Service branch offices*. If you have been enrolled in the system for six months or longer, you may be entitled to claim the lump-sum withdrawal payment. For more detail, please ask your local municipal office or Japan Pension Service.

*If Japan has an International Social Security Agreement with your home country, the period for which you paid contributions in Japan may count towards the pension system of you home country. For details, check with the appropriate office in your country.

Contributions and Special Payment System for Students

The contribution amount for the National Pension is JPY16,980 per month for FY2024 (April 2024 – March 2025). The amount is subject to change on an annual basis.

Students who have difficulty paying their contributions may postpone their contribution payment while they are in school (Special Payment System for Students). You may be eligible for this option if your income is less than a certain amount. Please ask your local municipal office or Japan Pension Service for details.

Non-degree seeking students, including exchange students, who have resided in Japan for less than 1 year are not eligible for the “Special Payment System for Students”, but may be eligible for the “Exemption of the Contributions” or “Contribution Postponement System for Low-Income Persons”. For more details, please ask your local municipal office or Japan Pension Service.

You need to apply every year to be considered for the “Special Payment System for Students”, “Exemption of the Contributions” or ” Contribution Postponement System for Low Income-Persons”.

Degree- seeking students： “Special Payment System for Students”　（Application form　/　Example）
Non-degree seeking students（e.g. Research students, Exchange students）： “Exemption / Payment Postponement”　（Application form　/　Example）

※The application is only written in Japanese.
※Example can be checked in languages other than Japanese.（Select language＞「Procedures for National Pension System」＞「Application for National Pension Contribution Special Payment System for Students」or「Application for National Pension Contribution Exemption／Payment Postponement」）
※Please fill out the form in Japanese or English.
※Please submit your completed application at your residential municipal office or JPS Branch Office. (You may mail your application form to the offices by post, however, as omissions or incomplete forms will delay the process, we recommend you to submit the form at the office.)

【Reference】 Japan Pension Service
List of Notification Forms and Application Forms Related to National Pension：https://www.nenkin.go.jp/shinsei/kokunen/kokunen.html

Procedures upon completion of you studies at Geidai

When You Leave Japan

You can apply for withdrawal from the National Pension system at your local municipal office or at one of the Japan Pension Service branch offices*. If you have been enrolled in the system for six months or longer, you may be entitled to claim the lump-sum withdrawal payment. For more detail, please ask your local municipal office or Japan Pension Service.

*If Japan has an International Social Security Agreement with your home country, the period for which you paid contributions in Japan may count towards the pension system of you home country. For details, check with the appropriate office in your country.

When You Are Hired in Japan

Your employer is responsible for enrolling you in the social insurance system, and you will be asked to submit your “pension handbook” at the time of employment. Please ask your employer for details.

If You Remain in Japan as a Student

You will continue to be enrolled in the National Pension system. Depending on your income, you may be eligible for the “Special Payment System for Students”, ” Exemption of the Contributions”, or “Contribution Postponement System for Low Income Persons”. For more details, please ask your local municipal office or Japan Pension Service.