Working in Japan while your company also operates in your home country? You might be paying pension contributions in two countries at once — money that’s largely wasted. Japan’s social security agreements (社会保障協定) fix this. Here’s what they cover and how to use them.
What Is a Social Security Agreement?
A social security agreement (also called a totalization agreement) is a bilateral treaty between Japan and another country that coordinates pension and social insurance systems. The goals:
- Eliminate double contributions — so you don’t pay into both countries’ pension systems simultaneously
- Totalize contribution periods — so years paid in one country count toward eligibility in the other
Countries with Agreements with Japan
As of 2025, Japan has agreements in force with:
| Country | In force since |
|---|---|
| Germany | 2000 |
| United Kingdom | 2001 |
| South Korea | 2005 |
| United States | 2005 |
| Belgium | 2007 |
| France | 2007 |
| Canada | 2008 |
| Australia | 2009 |
| Netherlands | 2009 |
| Czech Republic | 2009 |
| Spain | 2010 |
| Ireland | 2010 |
| Brazil | 2012 |
| Switzerland | 2012 |
| Hungary | 2014 |
| India | 2016 |
| Luxembourg | 2017 |
| Philippines | 2018 |
| Slovakia | 2019 |
| China | 2019 |
| Finland | 2022 |
| Sweden | 2023 |
| Italy | 2024 |
Check the Japan Pension Service website for the most current list — agreements are being added regularly.
How It Works: Two Main Scenarios
Scenario 1: Temporary Assignment to Japan (from your home country)
If your company sends you to Japan as a temporary assignee (typically under 5 years), you can remain in your home country’s pension system and be exempt from Japanese pension contributions.
What you need:
- A Certificate of Coverage from your home country’s social security authority
- Submit this to the Japan Pension Service
With this certificate, neither you nor your Japanese employer pays into Japanese pension (厚生年金/国民年金).
Scenario 2: You’ve Contributed to Both Systems
If you’ve worked in Japan and paid into the Japanese pension, you can count those years toward your home country’s pension eligibility and vice versa. This matters when minimum contribution years are required to claim benefits.
Example: Your home country requires 10 years to claim pension. You have 6 years at home and 5 years in Japan = you can combine them to meet the threshold.
Japanese Pension: The Basics for Foreigners
Even without an agreement, foreigners working in Japan are generally required to join:
- Kōsei Nenkin (厚生年金) — company pension, for employees. Deducted from salary. Employer contributes 50%.
- Kokumin Nenkin (国民年金) — national pension, for self-employed and those between jobs. Fixed monthly fee (¥16,980/month in 2024).
Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment
If you leave Japan without having a social security agreement that allows pension totalization, you can claim a lump-sum withdrawal (脱退一時金) of your contributions. This is a partial refund — you get back a portion of what you paid, but not everything.
You have 2 years from leaving Japan to apply. Apply from overseas after your residence card expires.
What You Should Do
- Check if your country has an agreement — see list above
- If on assignment: Get a Certificate of Coverage from your home country before paying into Japanese pension
- If you’re already paying in: Keep records of all contributions for totalization purposes
- If you’re leaving Japan: Decide between totalization (if eligible) or lump-sum withdrawal
Getting Help
The Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) has English-language resources and phone support:
- Website: nenkin.go.jp
- Phone: 0570-05-1165 (English available on specific days)
For complex situations — multiple countries, long careers — an international tax advisor or social insurance labor consultant (社会保険労務士) is worth the consultation fee.