If you satisfy certain conditions, you can apply to receive a Lump-Sum Withdrawal Payment regarding the pension once you leave Japan. The amount you receive depends on a variety of things such as how long you have been paying into the system, your level of income, etc. This is an “early withdrawal payment” and not “refund”; You get something back but not everything back.
Japan also has pension agreements with various other countries that might allow to receive credit for whatever pension contributions that you have made over here back in your home country. I am not sure how applying for a LSWP will affect this.
I do not believe that having Permanent Residence disqualifies you. As long as you are not a Japanese citizen and satisfy the other required conditions, I think you’re OK. But, I would check on that with the pension people. However, one of the conditions of getting this LSWP is that you need to be able to show the you are now longer a legal resident of Japan. This means that you will have to give up your PR status. This doesn’t mean that you can never come back to Japan to work. You will just have to start from the beginning all over again like any other ‘newcomer’ just of the boat for the first time.
Finally, as far as I know, you will not be able to get back any of the taxes, health insurance premiums, etc., etc. that you have paid over the years.
