If you’re not confident in Japanese but have questions about the pension system, you’re not alone. Thankfully, there’s a free interpretation service provided by the Japan Pension Service that can make things much easier.
Whether you’re calling from abroad or visiting a local pension office in Japan, this service lets you speak with a specialist — in your own language — with the help of a professional interpreter.
That said, the system isn’t always straightforward. For example, if you call the pension office, you’ll first hear an automated message in Japanese, and need to speak to a Japanese operator before being connected to an interpreter. So knowing how the process works can really help.
We hope this article makes it easier for you to use the service with more confidence and less stress.
※This article is based on my actual phone call with the Japan Pension Office, as well as official documents.
🌐 Languages You Can Use
English, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai, Nepall and Burmese
🕒 When You Can Use It
English support hours:
Monday (the first business day of the week) 8:30～19:00
Tuesday～Friday 8:30～17:15
2nd Saturday of the Month 9:30～16:00
Other languages:
Monday to Friday: 8:30～17:15
📞 How the Phone Support Works
When you call the pension inquiry number, an automated voice message will play in Japanese first. Don’t worry — just wait until the message ends.
After that, you will be connected to a live operator who speaks Japanese. At this point, you can say:
「ツウヤクヲオネガイシマス」 (Tsūyaku o onegai shimasu)
This means “Interpreter, please.”
Saying this phrase clearly will help the operator connect you with an interpreter.
This allows you to communicate your questions and understand the answers without stress — even if you don’t speak Japanese.
Please have your Basic Pension Number（KISO NENKIN BANGOU: 基礎年金番号） ready when you call.
🧾 Pension Consultation
- Receiving pension benefits:
– Call: 0570-05-1165
– If using a (050) IP phone: 03-6700-1165 - Inquiries about Pension Service Letters (Nenkin Teikibin) and Nenkin Net:
– Call: 0570-058-555
– (050): 03-6700-1144 - National Pension enrollment:
– Call: 0570-003-004
– (050): 03-6630-2525 - Employee’s Pension Insurance & Health Insurance enrollment:
– Call: 0570-007-123
– (050): 03-6837-2913
🏢 Reservation for In-Person Consultation
- Appointment inquiries:
– Call: 0570-05-4890
– (050): 03-6631-7521 - Reception hours: 8:30–17:15 (Monday – Friday)
📄 Official Leaflet (PDF)
The Japan Pension Service has prepared a simple guide you can view or download here:
👉 Multilingual Support Guide (PDF)
🧾 How We Can Help
At Cazusa Tax & Consulting, we support clients living overseas as well as non-Japanese speakers residing in Japan. Our services include:
- Filing elective tax returns for retirement income (lump-sum pension withdrawals)
- Preparing and filing income tax returns for non-residents with rental income in Japan
- Handling tax filings for foreign residents in Japan
If you have any concerns or questions about Japanese taxes, we’re here to help. You can find more details about our support for foreign residents here.