Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment in Japan for Foreigners｜Eligibility & Guide

■ What Is a Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment?

A lump-sum withdrawal payment is a system that allows foreign nationals who worked in Japan and later return to their home country to receive a portion of their paid pension contributions.

In Japan, when you work for a company, you are enrolled in the public pension system. Normally, you must live in Japan for a long time (such as 10 years) to qualify for pension benefits.

However, if a foreign national lives and works in Japan for a short time and then returns home, they may not be able to receive any pension at all. To prevent this, Japan established the lump-sum withdrawal payment system to refund a portion of those contributions.

■ Who Can Receive It?

Not everyone is eligible to receive the lump-sum withdrawal payment.
You must meet all seven conditions below to apply.

Check if the following apply to you:

✅ You are not a Japanese national
✅ You no longer live in Japan (you have already left the country)
✅ You are no longer enrolled in the Japanese pension system
✅ You were enrolled for 6 months or more
✅ You have not received any old-age or disability pension
✅ You apply within 2 years after leaving Japan
✅ Your total pension enrollment is less than 10 years (no right to old-age pension)

If all of the above apply to you, you may be eligible to receive the payment.
In the next section, we’ll explain how much you may receive.

■ How Much Can You Get? Pension Types and Example Amounts

The amount you can receive depends on your situation.
It varies based on the type of pension you were enrolled in and how long you worked.

There are two types of pensions in Japan:

① National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin): for self-employed workers or freelancers who pay contributions directly
② Employees' Pension (Kosei Nenkin): for company workers, paid via salary deductions

① Example for National Pension (monthly premium: approx. 16,000 yen)

② Example for Employees' Pension (average monthly salary: ¥200,000)

*These are approximate amounts. Please check with the Japan Pension Service for exact figures.

■ How to Apply (After Leaving Japan)

Only foreign nationals who no longer live in Japan can apply for the lump-sum withdrawal payment.
In other words, you must leave Japan before applying.

【Application Process】

① Leave Japan
Submit a moving-out notice to your local city hall before departure.

② Gather necessary documents
For example: a copy of your passport, bank account details, and pension book or number.

③ Fill out the application form
Multilingual forms are available for download from the Japan Pension Service website.

④ Submit the application by post or online
Submit within 2 years after leaving Japan.

⑤ Receive the payment
The refund will be transferred to your overseas bank account a few months after application.

For detailed instructions and document requirements, visit:
Japan Pension Service Official Website

■ What Is a Social Security Agreement?

A social security agreement is an agreement between Japan and another country that allows pension periods to be combined across borders.

If your country has such an agreement with Japan, the pension period you contributed in Japan may be added to your home country's pension system. This means that instead of receiving the lump-sum withdrawal, you may receive retirement benefits in your home country.

However, if you receive the lump-sum withdrawal payment, your Japanese pension period cannot be added to your home country's record.

【Examples of countries with agreements with Japan】

United States / Philippines / South Korea / China / Brazil / Germany / France / Australia / Vietnam / Italy

For a full list and more details, please visit the
Japan Pension Service - Social Security Agreements

■ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. If I receive the lump-sum withdrawal, can I come back and work in Japan again?

A. Yes, you can return and work in Japan. However, the pension period refunded through the lump-sum withdrawal will not count toward future pensions.

Q2. I’m still living in Japan. Can I apply now?

A. No. You must no longer be a resident of Japan to apply. Submit your application after leaving Japan.

Q3. How many years of pension contributions will be refunded?

A. Up to 5 years of pension contributions can be refunded. Periods beyond that will not be returned.

Q4. How long does it take to receive the payment after applying?

A. Typically, it takes 4 to 6 months for the funds to be deposited into your overseas account.

■ Summary: Apply Properly and Receive Your Money

The lump-sum withdrawal payment is a system that allows foreign nationals who worked in Japan to receive a portion of their pension contributions after returning home.

Here are the key points:

✅ Only those who have left Japan can apply
✅ The amount depends on the pension type (National vs Employees’ Pension)
✅ Applications must be submitted within 2 years of leaving Japan
✅ Check whether your country has a social security agreement with Japan
✅ Once submitted, the payment is usually made within a few months

Be sure to understand the system and apply correctly so you don’t miss out on money you’re entitled to receive.

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