Short answer
This is a National Pension premium payment reminder (催告状 / 督促状) sent by the Japan Pension Service (日本年金機構, Nihon Nenkin Kikō), telling you that you have unpaid National Pension premiums. Whether you need to pay the arrears, and whether you can apply for an exemption or postponement, should be confirmed with the Japan Pension Service.
What this document is
The National Pension (国民年金, kokumin nenkin) is Japan's statutory pension system for residents aged 20 to under 60 (separate rules such as voluntary enrollment apply from age 60; check the official guidance for details). When premiums are not paid on time, the pension service sends a reminder (催告状, saikokujō) or a more formal demand letter (督促状, tokusokujō). Depending on your age, income, and other circumstances, you may be able to apply for a premium exemption (免除, menjo) or payment postponement (納付猶予, nōfu yūyo) — postponement is generally limited to ages 20 to under 50 and does not cover students; students have the separate "Student Payment Special Provision" (学生納付特例, gakusei nōfu tokurei).
Common fields on the document
- 国民年金保険料 (kokumin nenkin hokenryō): the National Pension premiums you need to pay.
- 納付期限 / 納期限 (nōfu kigen / nōkigen): the payment deadline.
- 未納 (minō): unpaid (period or amount).
- 催告状 / 督促状 (saikokujō / tokusokujō): reminder letter / demand letter.
- 免除 / 納付猶予 (menjo / nōfu yūyo): premium exemption / payment postponement.
What you need to do
- Check the unpaid period and the premium amount shown in the letter.
- If you can pay, pay by the method specified (payment slip 納付書 nōfusho, direct debit 口座振替 kōza furikae, etc.).
- If you temporarily cannot afford it, bring the notice to a pension office and ask about applying for an exemption or postponement.
- If anything in the letter is unclear, contact the pension office to confirm.
Where the deadline / amount may appear
- Deadline: usually printed next to the words 納付期限 or 納期限.
- Amount: usually printed next to the words 保険料 or 納付額.
Which official body to contact if you are unsure
Contact your nearest pension office (年金事務所, nenkin jimusho) or the Japan Pension Service (a contact phone number is usually printed on the notice). Whether an exemption or postponement applies, and how to pay arrears, is determined by official review and guidance.
Common Japanese terms
- 国民年金 (kokumin nenkin): National Pension (Japan's public pension system)
- 保険料 (hokenryō): premium / contribution
- 催告状 (saikokujō): reminder letter
- 督促状 (tokusokujō): demand letter
- 免除 (menjo): (premium) exemption
- 納付猶予 (nōfu yūyo): payment postponement