Japan wrestles with low rates of immigrant pension payments

Japan immigrationLack of awareness, language barrier blamed for lagging 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 only about half of what they should, according to the latest official data, underscoring the difficulties immigrants face in navigating government benefits bureaucracy.