The national pension plan covers all people between the ages of 20 and 59 living in Japan. This includes students as well. The subscriber receives a pension and one time payments when he or she reaches old age or becomes disabled. The subscriber's dependents receives a pension and a one time payment in the case of the subscriber's death. At the present time the monthly premium is 10,500 yen. Exemptions are available to those who have difficulty making the premium payments.
Subscriber's are eligible for all the benefits as long as they meet the requirements. Pensions can be transferred to recipients even if they live outside of Japan.
To receive a pension in your dotage you must pay for at least 25 years or more. It would be very difficult for foreigners to collect any benefits from this system particularly if they started paying into the pension fund in their middle or late years. Because of this, foreigners who have been granted permanent residence in Japan may count the number of years spent outside Japan as part of the period of pension payments. There may be other applicable measures. For more details you should inquire at your local ward or municipal office.
Application: You can apply for the national pension plan at your local ward or municipal office. You should also be aware that special national pension fund system has been set up to enable citizens to raise their pension above the basic level if they so desire.