For those who don’t want to spend the rest of their lives in Japan, there is an option to withdraw last three years of your Japanese pension plan contributions as a lump sum and have this paid into a foreign bank account. Unfortunately, three years is the maximum disbursement amount for this option and thing you contributed to the plan older than three years can’t be withdrawn.
To claim a lump sum payout of your pension, you will need to pick up an “Application for the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments” form from your local social insurance office or download it from the Japan Pension Service online (see p. 13). Make sure to get your bank to stamp this form.
You will also need to name someone you trust as your tax representative. This could be your Japanese employer, but it would be much better to use a trusted Japanese friend and resident, if possible (for obvious reasons). Your tax representative will then have to fill out a “Declaration Naming a Person to Administer Taxpayer’s Tax Affairs.” This can be found at the social insurance office or the National Tax Agency online.
Now, you will need to return to your home country and post your “Application for the Lump-sum Withdrawal Payments” from there.
You can also apply in person at your local ward office beforehand if you have an account abroad to transfer the money into, but the money won’t be paid until after you have left Japan. It’s much easier — though takes longer to receive payment — if you take of this step once you get home.
You should bring along the documents below to make the application as smooth as possible. It’s important to have on hand and be able to submit:
Details of your bank account in your home country
Your Japanese pension book
Your passport.
Something that shows your date of departure from Japan, such as a plane ticket.
If you are applying from abroad you will need to post your documents to the Japanese pension service. They will need:
A document stamped by your bank that shows the bank’s address and branch contact details as well as your account name and number.
Photocopies of the pages in your passport that show the date you left Japan, your residence status and your identity.
Your pension book and a document that shows your pension number.
A postage label with the destination address can be found at the Japan Pension Service online (at the bottom of the document). Note that you must post this within two years or the money will be forfeit.
