Behind on pension in Japan? What to do before your visa renewal

If you owe National Pension months, apply for an exemption or deferral at your city office before your next renewal. It can cover up to 2 years back, and exempted months can be repaid within 10 years. The government plans to check pension and health insurance payments in renewal screening from 2027.

Why this matters now

In November 2025 the health minister announced that the government plans to refuse, in principle, changes or renewals of residence status for foreign residents who have not paid national pension or national health insurance premiums. Reports place the start in 2027. We have not seen the final rules, and they may include exceptions. The safe approach is to bring your record up to date before your next renewal. See our news brief for the latest.

Step 1: Find out what you owe

Check your pension notices and your ward office (区役所) record. If you are an employee, your employer normally pays both halves into the Employees’ Pension, so there is nothing for you to chase. The National Pension is for self-employed people, students, and people between jobs. Our pension guide explains who is in which scheme.

Step 2: If you cannot pay, apply for exemption or deferral

The Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構) describes two routes. Apply at your city, ward or town office, or a Pension Office. Forms can be filled in languages other than Japanese, and you need your residence card or My Number card.

Non-students can get a full exemption or deferral (¥0 a month), or a partial exemption where you still pay part of the ¥17,920: ¥4,480 under 3/4 exemption, ¥8,960 under 1/2 and ¥13,440 under 1/4 (April 2026 to March 2027). Full exemption and deferral holders do not need to reapply each year, except in certain unemployment cases. Partial exemptions must be renewed yearly.

Step 3: Use the look-back, and know its limit

Both routes can be applied for up to 2 years back. An application in July 2026 can cover June 2024 onward. Months older than that can no longer be covered by an exemption, so do not wait.

Step 4: Repay later if you can (追納)

Exempted and deferred months can be paid back within 10 years (追納). The Japan Pension Service says student special payment months are not reflected in your pension amount, and that exempted and deferred periods count toward the qualifying period and the disability basic pension. Its page does not say how the amount is affected for other exempted months, so ask the office before you decide.

What exemption does not solve

Not applying and not paying can mean losing the disability basic pension, according to the Japan Pension Service. Exemption also does not clear months you simply skipped more than 2 years ago.

What to check

Keep your exemption approval letters, as they are your proof if immigration asks. Unpaid pension also counts against permanent residency applications. If you plan to apply or renew soon, ask an administrative scrivener (行政書士) how your record will be read. This is information, not individual advice.