Japan - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Japan and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Japan and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Japan or Canada, or both.
The Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Japan came into force on March 1, 2008.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Japanese pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Japan, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Japanese old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this agreement may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Japanese survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Japanese benefit, or both. However, under the Agreement, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Japan will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Japan's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Agreement are the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider periods of insurance under the pension program of Japan as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension because you have not lived in Canada for the minimum number of years, Canada will consider periods of insurance under the pension program of Japan after the age of 18 and from January 1, 1952, as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada’s international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Japanese benefits
To qualify for a benefit under the pension program of Japan, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum number of years.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, you may not qualify for a Japanese benefit. However, to determine eligibility for a Japanese benefit under the Agreement, Japan will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan as periods of insurance under to the Japanese pension program.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Public pensions .
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Japanese benefits:
- Japan/Canada Agreement - Application for a Japanese Old Age and/or Disability Pension (CAN/J1)
- Japan/Canada Agreement - Application for a Japanese Survivors Pension (CAN/J2)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
P.O. Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
If you live in Japan
If you live in Japan and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Japan/Canada Agreement - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivor Benefits (ISP 5054-JPN)
- Japan/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-JPN)
- Japan/Canada Agreement - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-JPN)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Japan, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
P.O. Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
Japan’s social security
Resources
- Agreement on Social Security between Canada and Japan on Social Security
- General overview of Japan's social security system
- Information and access to programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Agreement between Canada and Japan on Social Security and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
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