The Japanese government is stepping up efforts to ensure all foreign residents living in Japan enroll in the country’s public pension program. To tackle the issue of some individuals slipping through the cracks, the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare will be upgrading the Japan Pension Service system to access data upon foreigners’ arrival in the country.
Starting in October, if a foreign resident has not registered for the pension program, the ministry will send a letter prompting them to sign up. If no action is taken, the ministry will have the authority to enroll the individual to ensure they pay insurance premiums and receive social security benefits.
All individuals aged 20 to 59 with an address in Japan, regardless of nationality, are required to be enrolled in the pension system. Once enrolled, they will be eligible to receive pension payments starting at age 65.
For the fiscal year 2024, the monthly contribution amount for the national pension is set at 16,980 yen. This move aims to guarantee that all foreign residents contribute to the welfare system and receive their entitled benefits.
© KYODO