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Tax-free shopping in Japan changes on 1 November 2026
Until 31 October you show your passport at the till and simply pay without the 10% consumption tax. From 1 November you pay the full tax-included price in the shop and claim the tax back at the airport — at a customs kiosk or through Visit Japan Web — before you check in.
- The ¥5,000 minimum per shop, per day stays the same.
- The general-goods / consumables split is abolished, and so is the ¥500,000 cap on consumables.
- Sealed packaging is abolished — but consumables still have to leave Japan unused.
- Everything on the receipt has to be with you at departure. Customs can ask to see it.
Shopping before 1 November? Nothing changes for you yet.
Leaving Japan after working here? You can claim back up to 5 years of your pension contributions as a lump-sum withdrawal payment (脱退一時金, dattai ichijikin). For many people this is hundreds of thousands of yen — but the official formulas are confusing, so we built this free calculator.
Enter your numbers below for an instant estimate using the official Japan Pension Service formulas (2026 rates).
🧮 Pension Lump-Sum Withdrawal Calculator
How the official formula works
Employees’ Pension (kosei nenkin)
Your lump sum = average standard monthly remuneration × 9.15% × months coefficient. The 9.15% is half of the 18.3% premium rate (the half you paid; your employer’s half stays in the system). The months coefficient counts your contribution months in 6-month steps, capped at 60 months (5 years) for anyone leaving from April 2021 onward.
20.42% non-resident income tax is withheld when the payment is sent abroad — but if you appoint a tax representative (納税管理人) before leaving Japan, they can file a tax return and recover a large part of it. On a big lump sum this is often worth tens of thousands of yen.
National Pension (kokumin nenkin)
The refund is a fixed table based on your months of contributions and the fiscal year of your last payment: for final payments in FY2026 (April 2026–March 2027) it ranges from ¥53,760 for 6 months to ¥537,600 for 60 months. No income tax is withheld on National Pension lump sums.
Eligibility checklist
- You are not a Japanese citizen
- You paid into the pension system for at least 6 months
- You have left Japan (no registered address) — apply within 2 years of losing coverage
- You have never qualified for a Japanese pension (10+ years of contributions makes you pension-eligible instead)
Important trade-off: taking the lump sum erases those months from your pension record. If your country has a social security totalization agreement with Japan, those months might count toward a pension back home — sometimes worth more than the refund. Check the agreement list before deciding.
FAQ
How long does the refund take?
Typically 4–6 months from a complete application to the money arriving in your overseas bank account.
Can I apply while still in Japan?
No — you must have moved out and deregistered your address. Prepare the paperwork (and a tax representative for the kosei tax refund) before you leave.
Is the calculator exact?
It uses the official Japan Pension Service formulas and 2026 tables, but your exact standard remuneration grading and payment history determine the final figure. Treat this as a close estimate.
Related guides
- Japan Pension Guide for Foreigners: National Pension, Exemptions & Lump-Sum Refund
- How to File Taxes in Japan as a Foreigner (Kakutei Shinkoku Guide)
- Japan Health Insurance Guide for Foreigners (NHI)
- How to Open a Bank Account in Japan as a Foreigner
Formulas and tables: Japan Pension Service (nenkin.go.jp), 2026. This tool provides estimates for information purposes and is not financial or legal advice.
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