FAQ
Common Questions
Yes, the pension withdrawal application tool is 100% free. We built it to help foreign workers navigate a confusing process. We also offer a separate, paid tax refund service (¥22,000) for those who want to recover the 20% tax withheld from their pension payment — but using this free tool does not require you to purchase anything.
Yes. Your data is handled securely by our licensed tax firm and used only to generate your PDF documents and provide our service. We do not sell or share your information with any third party. The service is operated by a licensed Japanese tax firm (税理士事務所).
After Japan Pension Service receives your application, it typically takes 3 to 6 months to process and transfer the payment to your overseas bank account. Processing times can vary depending on the volume of applications.
No. You can only apply after you have left Japan and no longer have a registered address (住民票) in Japan. You can prepare your documents beforehand, but the application must be submitted after your departure.
You'll need your passport copy, your Basic Pension Number document (年金手帳 or 基礎年金番号通知書), a document proving you no longer reside in Japan, and your overseas bank account details (including SWIFT code). Our tool generates a complete checklist for you.
If you've already received your lump-sum withdrawal payment, you no longer need this tool — your pension application is complete. However, you may be eligible to reclaim the 20% tax withheld from your payment. [Learn more →]
You must submit your lump-sum withdrawal application within 2 years of losing your Japanese registered address (住民票). After this deadline, you permanently lose the right to claim. Apply as soon as possible after leaving Japan.
This tool is provided by LOOK UP ACCOUNTING (米満建太郎税理士事務所), a licensed tax advisory firm in Japan. Our team specialises in helping foreign workers with pension and tax matters. The tool generates the official pension forms for you — we do not submit anything on your behalf.
The Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment (脱退一時金) is a refund of the pension contributions you paid while working in Japan. It is available to those who contributed to Japan's pension system (厚生年金 or 国民年金) for at least 6 months. The payment is made as a one-time lump sum directly to your overseas bank account.
The amount depends on how long you contributed to Japan's pension system and your average monthly salary during that period. Contributions from up to 96 months (8 years) can be refunded. The longer you worked and contributed, the higher the amount. Our tool calculates an estimate based on your details.
Yes. Japan Pension Service automatically withholds 20.42% as income tax when your lump-sum withdrawal is paid. However, in most cases you can reclaim all or most of that withheld tax through a special tax return (退職所得の選択課税) filed by a licensed tax accountant on your behalf. Our tax refund service handles this process for ¥22,000.
Yes. The application can be submitted by international post from your home country after you have left Japan and cancelled your residence registration (住民票). You do not need to return to Japan to apply. Our tool generates all the documents you need to submit from abroad.
If you do not submit your application within 2 years of losing your Japanese registered address (住民票), you permanently lose the right to claim the lump-sum withdrawal. There are no exceptions. If you are approaching the deadline, apply as soon as possible.
Filing a tax return on behalf of another person is a legally protected activity in Japan — but only for licensed tax accountants (税理士). Using an unlicensed individual or informal broker to file your tax return is a violation of Japan's Tax Accountant Act (税理士法), regardless of whether they charge a fee. Penalties apply to those providing the service. Always verify that your agent holds a valid Japanese tax accountant licence before proceeding.