For self-employed and freelance people, National Pension premiums are waived around childbirth
Exemption from National Pension premiums for the period before and after childbirth / The national government (Japan Pension Service and the municipal National Pension office)
Exemption from National Pension premiums for the period before and after childbirthNational programSelf-employed, freelance, etc.
4 months of pension premiums waived around childbirth
Single baby
Multiples
The waived period is also reflected in your pension as paid
This program waives National Pension premiums before and after childbirth for Category 1 insured persons, that is, self-employed people, freelancers and students.
The waived period is 4 months from the month before the month of the due date or birth date for a single baby. For multiples, it is 6 months from 3 months before the month of the due date or birth date.
Importantly, this waived period is counted as if premiums were paid and is reflected in the amount of your old-age basic pension. Your future pension will not go down.
You can submit the notification from 6 months before your due date. It covers people whose birth date is on or after February 1, 2019.
Nationality and residence status
The official page (checked in October 2026) sets no condition on nationality or residence status that we found. Eligibility follows the official conditions, not the language of this page; many programs require resident registration in the municipality.
Who is eligible
Category 1 National Pension insured persons whose birth date is on or after February 1, 2019
Notes
Covered: Category 1 National Pension insured persons whose birth date is on or after February 1, 2019 (periods of voluntary National Pension enrollment are not covered).Waived period: for a single baby, 4 months from the month before the month of the due date or birth date.For multiples, 6 months from 3 months before the month of the due date or birth date.The period for which premiums are waived is also counted as paid and reflected in the amount of your old-age basic pension.The notification can be submitted from 6 months before the due date.The Kyōkai Kenpo Maternity Allowance is a program for employees; National Health Insurance members have no Maternity Allowance.For self-employed and freelance households, this waiver is the main support around childbirth.