Japan money basics: pension and health insurance
What you're actually required to enroll in, the deadlines that matter, and what changes in 2027.
National Health Insurance (NHI)
If you're staying in Japan more than three months and have registered your address with your local government, you're required to join National Health Insurance (unless you're already covered by employer-provided health insurance, which most full-time company employees get automatically). Enroll within 14 days of registering your address, at the insurance/pension counter of your ward or city office.
National Pension
Everyone registered as a resident in Japan, aged 20-59, is required to be covered by the National Pension system - again, employer-provided pension (kōsei nenkin) substitutes for this if you're a full-time employee. If you're self-employed, freelancing, or between jobs, you're responsible for enrolling and paying directly.
A change worth knowing about now
Starting in 2027, immigration authorities plan to factor NHI payment history into visa renewal screening - unpaid premiums could affect a renewal, not just a PR application. If you've fallen behind on payments, this is worth sorting out well before your next renewal, not at the last minute.
Practical checklist
- Confirm whether your employer enrolls you automatically (most full-time positions do) or whether you need to self-enroll.
- If self-enrolling, bring your residence card and passport to your ward/city office, within the 14-day window.
- Keep your payment records - bank transfer receipts or your pension book - somewhere you can find them years later for a PR or visa renewal application.
Reference: Ritsumeikan University's international center guide to NHI and national pension.