Insurance / Pension
介護保険料 納入通知: Japan Nursing-Care Insurance Premium Notice Explained
This document is a payment notice for the 介護保険料 (nursing-care insurance premium) you owe — it does require payment. The premium starts, in principle, from the month you turn 65 (people 65+ are called 第1号被保険者, category-1 insured). Most people have it deducted automatically from their pension (特別徴収, special collection), but those with a small pension or newly turned 65 pay it themselves via a 納付書 (payment slip) or direct debit sent by the city or ward (普通徴収, ordinary collection). The amount varies by income and municipality, so always check the amount, due date and payment method printed on your own notice.
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Everyone 65 and older (category-1 insured) receives this from the municipality where they live, whether or not they use any care services — the premium applies regardless. Nationality does not matter if you have a resident registration. Most pensioners have it deducted from their pension (特別徴収), but if you have just turned 65 or your pension is small, you pay by 納付書 (普通徴収). People aged 40-64 pay their nursing-care premium together with their health insurance, which is handled separately from this notice.
What to do
- 1Check the premium amount, the due date, and the payment method (特別徴収 pension-deduction or 普通徴収 payment-slip) printed on the notice.
- 2If it is deducted from your pension (特別徴収), you do not pay it yourself — it comes out of your pension payment automatically.
- 3If a 納付書 is enclosed (普通徴収), pay by the due date using a method on the notice: convenience store, bank, direct debit, or a payment app.
- 4To avoid paying each time, apply for 口座振替 (auto-debit) via the municipal counter or the enclosed form.
- 5If you have doubts about the amount, or paying is difficult, do not ignore it — contact the nursing-care insurance section printed on the notice yourself.
About the deadline
For 普通徴収 (payment slips), the due date is printed on the notice and each slip. Missing it can incur late charges, and long-term non-payment can temporarily raise your own share of costs when you use care services. For 特別徴収 (pension deduction), you do nothing — the municipality manages the timing. If paying is difficult, ask the municipality about instalments or a reduction before the due date passes.
Common misunderstandings
- I don't use any care services — why do I pay?
- Nursing-care insurance spreads the cost of care across society. In principle everyone 65+ pays the premium whether or not they use services, so that care is available at a small personal cost if you ever need it.
- It's deducted from my pension, so why did a payment slip also come?
- Just after turning 65, at the start of a fiscal year, or when your pension amount changes, you may temporarily pay by 納付書 (普通徴収). It covers the period until pension deduction (特別徴収) begins. Check with your municipality for details.
- How is this different from health insurance premiums?
- People aged 40-64 pay the nursing-care premium bundled with their health insurance. From 65, the nursing-care premium is separated out and paid on its own (usually by pension deduction), as in this notice. The way the amount is calculated also changes.
- What if I can't afford to pay?
- Don't ignore it. Before the due date, contact the nursing-care insurance section printed on the notice. Depending on your income, instalment payment or a premium reduction may be available. Leaving it unpaid can cause disadvantages.
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This page is general information. For your own case, confirm with the office that issued the document, or with a qualified professional.