Skip to main content
U.S. flag An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

...
What to Know about Proving Your Identity
Social Security
X
Benefits
BY PHASE
  • Prepare
  • Apply
  • Manage benefits
BY TYPE
  • Retirement
  • Disability
  • Survivor
  • Family
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Benefits overview
Medicare
  • Plan for Medicare
  • Sign up for Medicare
  • Request to lower IRMAA
  • Apply for Part D Extra Help
  • Manage Medicare benefits
Card & record
  • Number & card
  • Personal record
Español
Sign in
Menu

Press Office (Subscribe)

Menu

  • Contact the Press Office
  • Press Releases
  • Reports, Facts and Figures
  • Social Security Update
  • Follow us @SSAPress
  • COLA

Press Release

Thursday, February 19, 2004
For Immediate Release
Jim Courtney, Press Officer
press.office@ssa.gov
News Release SOCIAL SECURITY

United States and Japan Sign Social Security Agreement
Agreement to Benefit U.S. Workers and Employers

Jo Anne Barnhart, Commissioner of Social Security, signed an agreement today with Japanese Ambassador Ryozo Kato that will remove from U.S. citizens working for U.S. companies in Japan the burden of paying social security taxes to both countries. The agreement also will remove the double taxation requirement for Japanese citizens working for Japanese companies in the United States. "This agreement eliminates a serious and unnecessary impediment to American and Japanese businesses and their employees," Commissioner Barnhart stated. "Just as important, it promotes equity and fairness for workers who divide their careers between our two countries."

Currently, U.S. companies that employ U.S. citizens in Japan are required to contribute to both the U.S. and Japanese social security systems. When the agreement takes effect, U.S. and Japanese employers and their employees will contribute to either the U.S. or Japanese social security systems, but not both. This will result in approximately 15,600 U.S. workers and their employers sharing in tax savings of $632 million over the first five years of the agreement.

The agreement also will improve social security protection for people who work in both countries. At present, some workers who have divided their careers between the United States and Japan fail to qualify for social security benefits from one or both countries because they do not meet minimum eligibility requirements. Under the agreement it will be possible for workers and their family members to qualify for pro-rated U.S. or Japanese benefits based on combined credits from both countries. This will result in approximately 24,000 U.S. and Japanese workers receiving benefits after the first five years of the agreement.

The agreement must be reviewed by Congress and approved by the Japanese Diet before it can take effect. The United States has similar social security agreements with 20 other countries, including Australia, Canada, Chile, South Korea, and nearly every country in Western Europe.

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS: A fact sheet providing more information about the Social Security agreement between the U.S. and Japan is attached. To find out more about agreements with other countries go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov/international/.

Support
  • Contact us
  • Find an office
  • Forms
  • Publications
  • Report fraud
Languages
  • Español
  • Other languages
  • Plain language
Services for
  • Employers & businesses
  • Representatives
  • Government agencies
  • Other groups
About
  • About SSA
  • Communications
  • Careers
  • Initiatives
  • Research & policy
  • Financial reports
Agency logo

SSA.gov

An official website of the Social Security Administration.


  • Accessibility support
  • Privacy policy
  • FOIA requests
  • Civil Rights/Compliance
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • Office of the Chief Actuary
  • Performance reports
  • System status
Looking for U.S. government information and services? Visit USA.gov