If I leave Japan in the future, can I apply for a refund of part of the pension I have paid (Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment)?

Okay, no problem. Let me break down applying for a pension refund (Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment) after leaving Japan.

About Applying for a Pension Refund (Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment) After Leaving Japan

The answer is: Yes, you can!

The official name of this system is "脱退一時金 (Dattai Ichijikin)". You can think of it as a one-time "severance pay" from the Japanese pension system. You've decided to leave Japan and stop contributing to the system, so you can get a portion of the money you paid back.

Below, I'll explain it in detail in several sections, keeping it as straightforward as possible.

What is "Dattai Ichijikin" (Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment)?

Simply put, it's a one-time refund for foreigners who worked in Japan for a short period, paid into the pension system, but left Japan permanently without reaching the minimum required period to receive a Japanese pension (currently 10 years).

This amount is not all the money you paid. It's a portion calculated based on the number of months you contributed and your average wage.

Am I Eligible? What are the Requirements?

To apply for this payment, you must meet all of the following conditions simultaneously:

You are not a Japanese citizen.
- This benefit is specifically for foreigners.
You have paid into the National Pension (Kokumin Nenkin) or Employees' Pension (Kosei Nenkin) for 6 months or more.
- Paying just a few months won't cut it.
You no longer reside in Japan.
- Specifically, you must have filed a "Moving-Out Notification" (転出届, Tenshutsu Todoke) at your local ward/city office (区役所/市役所, Kuyakusho/Shiyakusho), deregistering your Japanese address.
You have never received any Japanese pension benefits.
- For example, you haven't received benefits like the Disability Pension (障害年金, Shogai Nenkin) due to disability or other reasons.
You must apply within 2 years from the date you permanently left Japan (the date you no longer had a Japanese address).
- This is the deadline. If you miss it, you cannot apply – be very careful!

How Much Can I Get Back?

This is what everyone cares about most. The calculation is a bit complex, but you can understand it like this:

Refund Amount = Your Average Monthly Remuneration during your time in Japan × A Fixed Calculation Rate

This "Calculation Rate" is determined by how many months of pension contributions you made. The longer you paid, the higher this rate is.

Key Points:

There's a cap! The current maximum number of contribution months used for calculating the refund is 60 months (5 years). This means even if you paid into the Japanese pension for 8 or 10 years, the refund calculation will only consider up to 5 years.

Tax is withheld! The Japanese government will deduct 20.42% as "Withholding Income Tax" (源泉所得税, Gensen Shotokuzei) from this payment. This tax can be refunded, but the process is more complicated (explained below).

So, the amount you actually receive will be roughly 80% of the calculated refund amount.

How Do I Apply? What's the Process?

The entire process is done after you leave Japan by mailing documents.

Step 1: Before Leaving Japan – Preparation

Safeguard your "Pension Book" (年金手帳, Nenkin Techō) or "Basic Pension Number Notification" (基礎年金番号通知書, Kiso Nenkin Bangō Tsūchisho). That blue book or piece of paper has your pension number – it's the most crucial identification information.
(Strongly Recommended) Appoint a "Tax Administrator" (納税管理人, Nōzei Kanrinin). Remember the 20.42% tax withheld? To get this tax money back, you need to submit a "Notification of Tax Administrator" (納税管理人の届出書, Nōzei Kanrinin no Todokedesho) to the Tax Office (税務署, Zeimusho) in your ward before leaving Japan. Appoint a friend or professional in Japan as your tax agent. They can then handle the tax refund process for you after you receive the lump-sum payment. This step MUST be done BEFORE you leave Japan!

Step 2: After Leaving Japan – Mail the Application Documents

You need to mail the following documents to the "Japan Pension Service" (日本年金機構, Nihon Nenkin Kikō).

《Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Claim Form》 (脱退一時金請求書, Dattai Ichijikin Seikyūsho): You can download this form from the Japan Pension Service website; a Chinese version is available.
Copy of your Passport: Include copies of the pages showing your name, date of birth, nationality, signature, and the date you last departed Japan.
Proof that you no longer reside in Japan: For example, a copy of the "Certificate of Residence Removal" (住民票の除票, Jūminhyō no Johyō) you received when filing your Moving-Out Notification.
Bank Account Proof: Documentation showing the "Bank Name," "Branch Name," "Branch Address," "Account Number," and confirming that "You are the Account Holder." This can be a bank statement or the claim form stamped by your bank. Note: Many Japanese bank accounts are frozen after you leave, so many people choose to have the refund sent directly to their home country bank account (e.g., Bank of China). You can fill in these details on the application form.
Your Pension Book or Basic Pension Number Notification.

Prepare these documents and mail them from your home country (or another country) to the Japan Pension Service via international courier.

Step 3: Wait for Payment and Notification

After mailing, wait approximately 3-6 months. The Japan Pension Service will transfer the money to your designated bank account.
They will also mail you a "Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Decision Notice" (脱退一時金支給決定通知書, Dattai Ichijikin Shikyū Kettei Tsūchisho). This document is very important!

Step 4: Apply for a Refund of the Withheld Tax (If you appointed a Tax Administrator)

Mail the original copy of your "Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment Decision Notice" to your Tax Administrator in Japan.
They will go to the Tax Office on your behalf to apply for the tax refund and get the 20.42% tax amount back, then transfer it to you.

Finally, Some Very Important Reminders

Once you apply for the "Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment," your previous Japanese pension contribution records are completely erased. This means if you return to Japan for long-term work and life in the future, your pension eligibility period will start counting from zero again. So, if you think you might return to Japan someday, carefully consider whether to apply.
The application deadline is 2 years! 2 years! 2 years! Counted from the day you permanently left Japan. No exceptions after that.
You don't need an agent for this entire process. You can handle it yourself as long as you are careful and follow the instructions on the official website when preparing the documents.

Hope this information helps!