Secret Re-evaluation of Disability Pension Cases Following Media Reports – Over 1,000 Denials Reviewed by Japan Pension Service

From Kyodo

May 25 2025

TOKYO – It was learned on the 25th through interviews with involved parties that the Japan Pension Service (JPS) secretly re-evaluated over a thousand cases that had previously been denied disability pension benefits in fiscal 2024, as part of an internal review following media reports. Normally, such cases are not re-evaluated, making this an unusual move.

In response to inquiries, the JPS denied the allegations, stating, “There are no such facts.” However, Kyodo News has confirmed the existence of internal documents indicating that re-evaluations are being conducted. Some staff members have said, “The JPS’s response is false.”

Back in March, Kyodo News reported the results of an investigation conducted in cooperation with certified social insurance labor consultants who specialize in disability pension applications. The report raised the possibility that the number of denied claims had sharply increased in 2024.

According to sources within the JPS, in response to that report, the head of the Disability Pension Center announced in early April a policy to re-evaluate over a thousand of the denied cases. Each department was instructed to extract a certain number of cases for re-evaluation.

When interviewed in mid-April, the center head denied having announced such a policy. However, he did admit, “I am aware of the increase in denials. Although I haven’t set a specific number, I believe it is necessary to extract some cases for verification and analysis.”