Starting June 2027, the Japanese government will introduce stricter enforcement for public health insurance and pension payments. These rules will also apply to international students at Japanese language schools.

What’s Changing?

Under the new system, the Immigration Services Agency will check your payment history for:

National Health Insurance (国民健康保険)

National Pension (国民年金)

If you have unpaid amounts and do not respond to requests to pay, you may not be allowed to renew or change your residence status. This makes it extremely important for students to stay up to date.

Many students who do not have any income in Japan qualify for:

Pension exemptions (免除)

Pension postponements (猶予)

Reduced health insurance premiums (減免)

However, please remember:

Exemptions do not apply retroactively unless approved. You may still have required payments before your exemption/postponement takes effect. Even with an exemption, you must keep track of your status.

What Students Should Do Now

1. Visit your ward or city office (区役所 / 市役所) to check:

1. Whether you currently owe anything.

2. Whether you qualify for an exemption, postponement, or reduction.

2. Pay back any outstanding amounts as soon as possible to avoid.

3. Keep all payment receipts for future visa applications.

Why This Matters

According to NHK, Japan is tightening rules because many foreign residents have unpaid health insurance or pension contributions, and payment records will soon become part of the visa screening process.

For language school students planning to stay in Japan long-term (whether for further study, vocational school, or work) maintaining clean payment records is essential.

If you need help understanding these systems and their implications on student visa holders, feel free to request a free consultation with Meko's Student Support Team. We are here to support you.