Enroll in National Pension

If you are 20 or older and not enrolled in a company welfare pension (kosei nenkin), you must enroll in National Pension (kokumin nenkin) as a Category 1 insured person within 14 days of registering your address. This is usually handled at the same counter as National Health Insurance.

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Complete the situation questionnaire to see a personalized document list for your visa type and employment status

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Documents needed

✓Residence Card

✓Passport

✓Something showing your My Number (can be confirmed at the counter after move-in registration)

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Steps

Submit an enrollment form at the National Pension counter (often the same counter as National Health Insurance)

Present your Residence Card and Passport to obtain your Basic Pension Number

A Basic Pension Number notice and payment slips will be mailed to your address

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Important notes

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Not required if you are under 20

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If you join a company and enroll in kosei nenkin, no further action is needed — your employer handles the transfer

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Students can apply for the 'Student Payment Exception' to defer premium payments while enrolled in school. A school certificate is required

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Premiums are revised annually. Check the Japan Pension Service website for the current amount

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Links

Japan Pension Service: National Pension Premiums↗

🔗 Related procedures

Move-In Notification

Register your address at the city or ward office of your new location. If moving from within Japan, you must complete the move-out notification first. If arriving from abroad for the first time, no move-out certificate is required.

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Enroll in National Health Insurance

If your employer does not enroll you in shakai hoken (company health insurance), you must enroll in National Health Insurance (kokuho) within 14 days of registering your address. In many cases, you can handle this at the same counter as your move-in notification.

→

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