The Japan Pension Service has announced a change to how recipients of Philippine pensions can receive their payments while living in Japan ^[1]. According to the notice, it is now possible to receive Philippine pension payments within Japan by opening an account at the Philippine National Bank (PNB) Tokyo Branch or Nagoya Office ^[1].

Following coordination with the Philippine pension implementing agency, the Social Security System (SSS), the Japan Pension Service has partially revised the format of the Philippine pension application form, known as JP/PH1, under the Japan-Philippines Social Security Agreement ^[1]. The updated form can be found in the list of application documents for pension claim procedures under the Japan-Philippines Social Security Agreement, as published by the Japan Pension Service ^[1].

The notice explains that this revision reflects the fact that those newly applying for a Philippine pension will no longer be able to receive their pension in Japan via a CTBC card ^[1]. In other words, the CTBC card option is being discontinued for new applicants, and the PNB account route is being introduced in its place ^[1].

For foreign residents in Japan who receive or plan to apply for a Philippine pension, this means the method of receiving payments domestically is changing, with a PNB account now serving as the channel rather than a CTBC card for new applicants ^[1]. The Japan Pension Service did not specify in this notice whether those already receiving payments via CTBC card must switch to a PNB account, nor did it give a specific date by which the CTBC option ends for new applicants beyond noting the change took effect with this update dated October 16, 2026 ^[1].

The notice directs those seeking more detailed procedural information to consult the SSS directly via its own channels, as the Japan Pension Service notice does not itself lay out the full application steps ^[1]. Readers who currently receive, or intend to apply for, a Philippine pension while residing in Japan should review the revised JP/PH1 form and confirm the specific account-opening and application requirements with PNB and the SSS before proceeding ^[1].

Source credit 出典：「フィリピン年金の日本国内での受取方法が変更となりました」（日本年金機構）（https://www.nenkin.go.jp/oshirase/taisetu/kojin/2026/202610/1016.html）を加工してJapan News (j.apan.news)が作成 This article is Japan News's own English summary of the Japanese original. It has been translated and edited by Japan News; it is not an official translation, and the Japan Pension Service did not write or review it.