GUIDE · AGREEMENTS
Social security agreements
社会保障協定No double contributions — and combined pension periods
If you or your staff came from a country with a social security agreement, you may avoid paying into two pension systems — and keep pension rights across both.
Countries
24
Agreements in force
Avoids
Double pay
For seconded workers
Combines
Periods
With most countries
Not combined
4
UK, Korea, China, Italy
What the agreements do
- Avoid double contributions: workers sent from one country to the other for a limited time can stay in their home system
- Combine pension periods: periods in both countries count toward the minimum needed for a pension in each
- Which insurance systems are covered depends on the agreement — pensions always, health or employment insurance in some
Countries with an agreement in force
- Germany
- United Kingdom*
- South Korea*
- United States
- Belgium
- France
- Canada
- Australia
- Netherlands
- Czech Republic
- Spain
- Ireland
- Brazil
- Switzerland
- Hungary
- India
- Luxembourg
- Philippines
- Slovakia
- China*
- Finland
- Sweden
- Italy*
- Austria
* Agreements with the United Kingdom, South Korea, China and Italy only prevent double contributions; they do not combine pension periods. Austria’s agreement took effect on December 1, 2025.
For founders and employers
- Seconded staff need a certificate of coverage from their home country to be exempt in Japan
- People who will stay long-term usually join the Japanese system — see Hiring and social insurance
- Before a foreign employee claims the pension refund, check whether combining periods would be better
FAQ
Which countries have a social security agreement with Japan?
Twenty-four, including the United States, Germany, the UK, France, Canada, Australia, India, the Philippines, China and South Korea. Austria’s took effect in December 2025.
Do I have to pay Japanese pension if I am seconded from my country?
If your country has an agreement with Japan and you are seconded for a limited period, you can usually stay in your home system with a certificate of coverage.
Can I combine pension periods from Japan and my country?
With most agreement countries, yes. The agreements with the UK, South Korea, China and Italy do not include combining periods.
Sources
- Agreements in force and covered systems (協定発効時期および対象となる社会保障制度) — Japan Pension Service
- Status of Agreements in Force — Japan Pension Service (English)
This page is a plain-English summary, not legal advice. The official Japanese guidelines always take priority.
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