Japan faces shortfall in pension contributions from self-paying foreigners

Japan immigrationLack of awareness, language barrier blamed for big lag in participationJapanese law stipulates that all residents in Japan between the ages of 20 and 60 must join the national pension system, regardless of nationality. (Nikkei montage)MAYUNE HOTTAAugust 18, 2026 02:59 JSTTOKYO -- Foreign residents expected to pay into Japan's national pension program of their own accord only contribute about half of what they should, according to the latest official data, underscoring the difficulties immigrants face in navigating government benefits bureaucracy.