Application Procedures for Japanese Pension Benefits

Before the agreements, you needed to file your application for Japanese benefits only to the authority in Japan directly. After the agreements, however, if you live in the agreement country and apply for the Japanese benefits, you can also file your application at the social security authority in your country. The agreements enabled this initial application procedures.

Note: Under the Agreements with United Kingdom, Republic of Korea and China, you cannot apply your application in the Agreement country's institution.

The Japanese benefits claim form is available at Application and Other Supplementaly Forms website. You need to fill out the form and file it to the social security authority, together with supporting documents. If you apply for the Japanese old-age pension or disability pension, you need to use the claim form "Claim for National Pension / Employees' Pension Insurance (For Old Age / Disability Pension)." If you apply for the Japanese survivors' pension, you need to use the claim form "Claim for National Pension / Employees' Pension Insurance (For Survivors' Pension)."
Your completed claim form will be transmitted from the social security authority to the Headquarters of Japan Pension Service (JPS Headquarters) in Japan which will determine your Japanese benefits and pay you.
The social security authorities to file Japanese benefits applications
Germany/ United States/ Belgium/ France/ Canada/ Australia/ Netherlands/ Czech Republic/ Spain/ Ireland/ Brazil/ Switzerland/ Hungary/ Luxembourg / Philippines / Slovak Republic / Finland / Sweden / Italy
Notes on Individual Rules under each Social Security Agreement
(Czech Republic)

While you receive the Japanese benefits, you need to report any changes such as address or bank account, or changes of eligibility status such as level of disability or marital status. Some changes may affect your benefit amount.
To report any changes, you can fill in the "Report / Request from Beneficiaries Residing Abroad" and submit it to the JPS Headquarters in Japan or the social security authority in each agreement country.

To apply for totalized Japanese benefits, you need to file the completed Japanese benefits application form to the Branch Office of Japan Pension Service or the Pension Consultation Center. You need to attach your "Declaration of Period of Coverage" under the agreement country's social security act and other necessary supporting documents.
Upon receipt of your Declaration, the JPS Headquarters (the Social Insurance Operation Center) asks the social security authority in the country to provide your coverage record under the system of the agreement countries. With the reply from the authority, the JPS Headquarters will determine your totalization benefits and pay you.

Please note, under Japan-Italy Agreement, you do not need to attach your "Declaration of Period of Coverage" since it is not possible to totalize applicant's coverage record of the Italian system.

If Japan concludes the Tax Convention(including specific provision for income tax on pension benefits) with the country where you live, your Japanese pension benefits are subject to income tax in the country and exempt from Japanese income tax.
To establish tax exemption, you need to submit "Application form for income Tax Convention". The form is available on the website of the National Tax Agency（外部リンク） in Japan. You need to prepare two completed forms and submit them to the JPS Headquarters.

Notes on Individual Rules under each Social Security Agreement
(United States)

(France)

(Belgium)

(Canada)

(Australia)

(Netherlands)

(Spain)

(Czech Republic)

(Ireland)

(Brazil)

(Switzerland)

(India)

(Luxembourg)

(Philippine)

(Slovak Republic)

(Finland)

(Sweden)

(Italy)