Frequently Asked Questions

Non-Japanese nationals who have contributed to the Japanese pension system for at least 6 months, are no longer living in Japan, and have left Japan within the past 2 years are eligible.

The specific eligibility criteria include:

• Having contributed to the Japanese Pension System for at least 6 months
• Not being a Japanese national
• Not qualifying for receiving a pension from Japan
• No longer having an address in Japan
• Applying within 2 years of leaving Japan
• Not being currently enrolled in the National Pension System
• Never having received disability pension

You can withdraw up to 5 years (60 months) worth of your pension contributions. The amount depends on your salary and the length of your contribution period.

The calculation is based on your average monthly standard remuneration multiplied by a factor determined by your contribution period. The official Japanese pension payment table is shown below:

You can use our pension calculator to estimate your potential refund amount.

You will need your passport copy, bank account details, pension book, proof of departure from Japan, and completed application forms.

The full list of required documents includes:

• Passport copy (pages showing your name, date of birth, nationality, signature, residence status, and the last exit stamp from Japan)
• Bank account details (document showing bank name, branch name, branch location, account number, and that you are the account holder)
• Pension book (original)
• Proof that you no longer have an address in Japan (e.g., deleted resident record)
• Completed withdrawal payment claim form
• Power of attorney (if using our service)

If you use our service, we will provide the necessary forms and guide you through the entire process.

You need to designate a tax representative in Japan who will file a tax return on your behalf. Our service includes acting as your tax representative to handle this process.

The process involves:

• Designating a tax representative who resides in Japan
• Filing a tax return with the Japanese tax office
• Providing the lump-sum withdrawal payment decision notice from the pension office
• Completing and submitting the tax representative registration form

The tax refund process typically takes about 2 months after receiving your pension withdrawal payment.

The pension withdrawal process typically takes about 3-4 months after submission. The tax refund process takes an additional 2 months.

The timeline can be broken down as follows:

• Document preparation and submission: 1-2 weeks
• Processing by the Japan Pension Refund Assistance Service: 3-4 months
• Receipt of pension withdrawal payment: After approval
• Tax refund application submission: After receiving the withdrawal payment
• Tax refund processing: Approximately 2 months

In total, the entire process from submission to receiving both the pension withdrawal and tax refund typically takes about 5-6 months.

We charge a fixed service fee rather than a percentage-based fee. This means regardless of your refund amount, the fee remains the same, making our service more affordable for larger refunds.

Please note that additional costs may include:

• International bank transfer fees
• Domestic postage fees in Japan

For specific fee information, please contact us directly.

Yes, you can apply for the pension withdrawal payment yourself. However, for the tax refund, you must have a tax representative in Japan, as non-residents cannot file tax returns directly.

Challenges of applying yourself include:

• Navigating complex Japanese forms and procedures
• Language barriers in communication with Japanese offices
• Finding a tax representative for the tax refund process
• Understanding the specific requirements and timelines

Our service provides convenience, expertise, and ensures you receive both your pension withdrawal and tax refund without complications.