The Japanese government will step up efforts to ensure foreign residents can join the country’s public pension system by obtaining relevant information during the immigration process, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday.
All foreigners residing in Japan are required to enroll in the pension service, either through self-registration by submitting an application or through employer registration, but there are still cases of people slipping through the cracks.
According to sources, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare plans to strengthen the Japan Pension Service’s system from around October so that it can collect data when foreigners move to Japan.
A file photo taken in October 2015 shows the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare building in Tokyo. (Kyodo News)
According to sources, if a foreign resident is not yet enrolled in the scheme, the ministry will first send them a letter requesting them to enrol, and if no action is taken, the ministry will have the power to target the person for enrolment.
The measure aims to ensure that all foreigners residing in Japan have the right to pay insurance premiums and receive social security benefits.
Anyone between the ages of 20 and 59 who resides in Japan must join the national pension system, regardless of nationality. Once enrolled, they can start receiving pension benefits from age 65.
The monthly national pension insurance premium for the 2024 fiscal year, which begins in April, is set to be 16,980 yen ($108).
Related article:
Japanese volunteers use sports to help foreign workers participate in society
Japan’s tax revenue from overseas tourists is expected to triple in fiscal 2023
Nearly 40% of skilled foreign workers choose to stay in Japan: OECD
