How to pay Japanese pension from abroad?

[HeavyMetal]

Hello everyone,
Question's in subject - how to pay Japanese pension from abroad?
I only know it's possible via Prestia bank which allows to keep local account on leaving. But, they have a condition - it must be funded for 500,000+ yen, otherwise, monthly fee of 2,000 yen will be deducted. So Prestia is a workaround, but not very convenient.
Any other way to pay Japanese pension from abroad? Direct international bank transfers, maybe? In this case - could they be done like once a year, or something? Not monthly. Cause transfers aren't cheap...
Thanks!

[zeroshiki]

Why would you be paying INTO Japanese pension when you're not in Japan nor a Japanese national. I'm not a lawyer but that sounds like pension fraud.

On the Japan Pension Office page they say this:

海外に居住することになった時は、国民年金は強制加入被保険者ではなくなりますが、日本国籍の方であれば、国民年金に任意加入することができます。

If you're going to live overseas you can OPTIONALLY pay into kokumin nenkin as long as you are a Japanese citizen.

[HeavyMetal]

Oh. Citizens only. That makes things harder

Why would you be paying INTO Japanese pension when you're not in Japan nor a Japanese national. I'm not a lawyer but that sounds like pension fraud.

Because, if I have paid in Japan for some years, I will lose them all if I cancel (yeah I know I can get some money back on leaving). And the idea that I'll have to start paying in another country from scratch doesn't sound exciting either...

[beanhead]

Because, if I have paid in Japan for some years, I will lose them all if I cancel (yeah I know I can get some money back on leaving). And the idea that I'll have to start paying in another country from scratch doesn't sound exciting either...

Will you have made 10 years' worth of contributions ?
That is the minimum to get something from the Japanese pension system.

If not, as you said you can get just a few years (3?) back if you leave.

[Moneymatters]

Because, if I have paid in Japan for some years, I will lose them all if I cancel (yeah I know I can get some money back on leaving). And the idea that I'll have to start paying in another country from scratch doesn't sound exciting either...

Will you have made 10 years' worth of contributions ?
That is the minimum to get something from the Japanese pension system.

If not, as you said you can get just a few years (3?) back if you leave.

https://retirewiki.jp/wiki/Japanese_pen ... withdrawal
I think it's five years now.

Edit Next statement inccorect:
Whilst not within the letter of the rules, if close to 10 years an option might be to pay two years in advance prior to departing Japan.
NOTE: I don't know if this is possible at any time or just once per year when you receive the pension bill. There was an option to pay two years in advance when I was last paying my daughter's pension.

Correction: If you pay in advance then leave Japan your ward will notify the pension office who will attempt to contact you about reimbursements.

[adamu]

Also condider that if you don't take the lump sum, you keep your existing credits, should you ever move back. And depending on the country, they can count towards that country's pension too.

[ClearAsMud]

... an option might be to pay two years in advance prior to departing Japan.

No, that interesting workaround won't fly. As stated on multiple websites (Suginami Ward's, for example), unless you're a Japanese national who wants to continue enrollment on a voluntary basis, any pension premiums paid in advance that are applicable to periods after your departure will be refunded to you (and actually receiving that refund is likely to prove challenging if you're not Japanese).

The deadline for arranging for advance payment is the end of each February for the following year or two (with another August deadline if you're paying 6 months in advance). Paying two years in advance takes 15,790 yen off the total premium -- much more generous than the 4,170 yen discount you get for paying a year in advance.

[Moneymatters]

... an option might be to pay two years in advance prior to departing Japan.

No, that interesting workaround won't fly. As stated on multiple websites (Suginami Ward's, for example), unless you're a Japanese national who wants to continue enrollment on a voluntary basis, any pension premiums paid in advance that are applicable to periods after your departure will be refunded to you (and actually receiving that refund is likely to prove challenging if you're not Japanese).

The deadline for arranging for advance payment is the end of each February for the following year or two (with another August deadline if you're paying 6 months in advance). Paying two years in advance takes 15,790 yen off the total premium -- much more generous than the 4,170 yen discount you get for paying a year in advance.

Oops! made note in my comment. thanks!

[HeavyMetal]

Called the pension office and yes, 1. you have to be Japanese citizen to keep paying from abroad, and 2. it's max of 5 years can be refunded (not 100% of paid amount as they said)
Also, it is possible to keep paying if you left Japan for some time and then return (unless lump sum was withdrawn)
But no payments from abroad for foreigners anyway.
These were answered here already, so just a confirmation.

[emikami]

Why would you be paying INTO Japanese pension when you're not in Japan nor a Japanese national. I'm not a lawyer but that sounds like pension fraud.

Because, if I have paid in Japan for some years, I will lose them all if I cancel (yeah I know I can get some money back on leaving). And the idea that I'll have to start paying in another country from scratch doesn't sound exciting either...

Check if the other country has a Social Security Totalization agreement with Japan. If so, you might be able to claim Japanese pension even if you're under the number of years you're normally required. You total the number of years in both countries to see if you're above the minimum to qualify for both pension. Of course, the benefit will be tiny because of all the 0 earnings years you must average but it's better than a complete loss.