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Japan Social Security Agreements: Check Your Country

Japan has social security agreements with 24 countries. Depending on your country, your pension periods in Japan and at home can be added together, which changes whether you should take the pension refund when you leave. Choose your country to see what applies.

Last updated:

What the agreements do

  • No double premiums: if your employer sends you to Japan for a limited time, you can stay in your home country's system and skip the Japanese (and sometimes health insurance), with a certificate of coverage from home.
  • Totalization: with most agreements, your periods in both countries are added together to meet each country's minimum period. Japan needs 10 years; with totalization, 4 years in Japan plus 6 at home can qualify you for a Japanese pension for those 4 years.
  • The agreements with the United Kingdom, South Korea, China and Italy cover only the first point, with no totalization.

All agreements in force

CountryIn force sinceTotalization
Australia オーストラリアJan 2009Yes
Austria オーストリアDec 2025Yes
Belgium ベルギーJan 2007Yes
Brazil ブラジルMar 2012Yes
Canada カナダMar 2008Yes
China 中国Sep 2019No (premiums only)
Czech Republic チェコJun 2009Yes
Finland フィンランドFeb 2022Yes
France フランスJun 2007Yes
Germany ドイツFeb 2000Yes
Hungary ハンガリーJan 2014Yes
India インドOct 2016Yes
Ireland アイルランドDec 2010Yes
Italy イタリアApr 2024No (premiums only)
Luxembourg ルクセンブルクAug 2017Yes
Netherlands オランダMar 2009Yes
Philippines フィリピンAug 2018Yes
Slovakia スロバキアJul 2019Yes
South Korea 韓国Apr 2005No (premiums only)
Spain スペインDec 2010Yes
Sweden スウェーデンJun 2022Yes
Switzerland スイスMar 2012Yes
United Kingdom 英国Feb 2001No (premiums only)
United States アメリカOct 2005Yes

Deciding about the pension refund

If you leave Japan, you can claim the for up to 5 years of premiums. Once you do, those months no longer count toward a Japanese pension. If your country has totalization and you expect enough combined years, compare the refund with a lifelong pension before claiming. Estimate the refund with the pension refund calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries have a social security agreement with Japan?

24 countries as of 2026, including the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, India, the Philippines, Brazil and China. The table on this page lists them all.

Can I get a Japanese pension if I worked in Japan for less than 10 years?

Only if your home country has an agreement with totalization and your combined periods reach 10 years. Otherwise, you can claim the lump-sum withdrawal payment when you leave.

Does the UK have a pension totalization agreement with Japan?

No. The agreement with the United Kingdom only prevents paying into both systems at once. The same applies to South Korea, China and Italy.

Official sources

The rates and rules in this calculator come from these Japanese government and insurer publications (in Japanese).

Calculators

This guide reflects official rules as of the last update. Procedures can differ by city and by your situation; check with your city office, tax office or the Japan Pension Service when in doubt. It is not tax or legal advice.