In addition to having coverage credit for at least two-thirds of the period between age 20 and the date of the medical examination, a worker must also be covered under the Japanese social security system on the date of the first medical examination establishing the disability or the date of death in order for the worker or the worker's survivors to be eligible for disability or survivors benefits. Under Article 6.3(a), a worker who has at least 4 quarters of U.S. coverage in the 8-quarter period ending with the date of the first medical examination or death, or at least 6 quarters of U.S. coverage in the 13‑quarter period ending with the date of the first medical examination or death, will be deemed to meet the current coverage requirement of Japanese laws.

Under Japanese laws, a Japanese national who is resident outside of Japan and is not compulsorily covered under any of the Japanese social security programs is permitted to make voluntary contributions to the NP system to maintain his or her current coverage connection and benefit rights. If a worker or his or her survivors become entitled to a NP disability or survivors benefit based on the worker's voluntary contributions, the Japanese agencies will not apply the provisions of Article 6.3(a)(i) or (ii) for the purpose of establishing entitlement to a disability or survivors pension under the EPI or other Japanese pension system for employees based on the same insured event (i.e., the same disabling injury or illness, or death). Because only Japanese nationals have the right to make voluntary contributions to the Japanese NP system (see comments on Article 3.2), this provision only applies to Japanese nationals and will not affect benefit rights for U.S. citizens or third‑country nationals.