Technical Intern Training (技能実習) and Specified Skilled Worker (i) (特定技能1号) have a maximum length, so many people leave Japan after a few years of Employees' Pension. The Lump-sum Withdrawal Payment works the same as for anyone else; these are the points that come up most often for these statuses.
Up to 60 months count toward the amount
Technical Intern Training lasts up to 5 years: (i) in the first year, (ii) in years 2 and 3, and (iii) in years 4 and 5. Specified Skilled Worker (i) allows up to 5 years in total in principle. The lump-sum is calculated on up to 60 months, so months beyond 60 do not raise the amount.
Moving on to Specified Skilled Worker
If you change from Technical Intern Training to Specified Skilled Worker without leaving Japan, you still have an address in Japan, so you cannot claim the lump-sum at that point. Your pension periods simply continue.
Once your total coverage reaches 10 years, you qualify for a Japanese old-age pension and can no longer receive the lump-sum. 5 years of Technical Intern Training followed by 5 years of Specified Skilled Worker (i) reaches 10 years. Specified Skilled Worker (ii) has no upper limit on the period of stay.
If you stay in Japan more than once and your total coverage may go over 60 months, you may need to claim after each departure.
Going home for a while during training
Technical Intern Training (iii) includes a trip home of 1 month or more, before (iii) starts or within its first year. If you leave on a re-entry permit without filing a moving-out notice, you stay enrolled in the National Pension until the permit expires and cannot claim during that time.
The account for the payment
Japan Post Bank (ゆうちょ銀行) and some internet-only banks cannot receive the payment. The account must be in your own name. If you close your Japanese account before you leave, use an account in your home country.
The claim form in your language
The claim form (脱退一時金請求書) is printed in Japanese side by side with another language. Versions include Vietnamese, Indonesian, Myanmar, Nepali, Khmer, Thai, Mongolian, Tagalog, Chinese and English.
From April 2027
From 1 April 2027, Technical Intern Training is replaced by Employment for Skill Development (育成就労), generally 3 years. People already training on that date can continue under their approved plans. The lump-sum conditions set by the Japan Pension Service do not include your status of residence.
Tax on the Employees' Pension part
20.42% income tax is withheld from the Employees' Pension part. To get it back, appoint a tax agent before you leave.
Last checked: 2026-11-04