After leaving Japan
Japan Pension Service says non-Japanese short-term contributors can apply after leaving Japan and no longer being covered by the pension system.
Japan Pension Refund Calculator
Check whether your Japan pension refund plan is ready before leaving: pension type, paid months, two-year filing window, and tax representative follow-up for Employees' Pension cases.
Japan pension refund checklist
Two-year window
The claim should be filed within two years after leaving Japan or after you no longer have an address in Japan.
Employees' Pension tax
Employees' Pension lump-sum withdrawal payments may have 20.42% income tax withheld. A separate tax refund follow-up may be possible through the required procedure.
Before you leave Japan
- Confirm whether you paid National Pension, Employees' Pension, or both.
- Collect your pension number, residence history, bank details, and departure records.
- Decide whether you need a tax representative before losing easy access to local paperwork.
- Use the working holiday tax calculator if your employer withheld 20.42% from salary.