New year, new faces

Happy New Year from Tokyo. Congratulations to two new leaders in the community; Mr. Lance Lee, the new president of The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and Mr. Larry Blagg, the new president of The Tokyo American Club. They don't come any better. We wish them the best. Also, a big "otsukaresama" to Don Kanak and Dr. Fred Harris -- Fred after 21 years serving on the board at The Tokyo American Club.

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Dear Lifelines; I have worked in Japan for just over 8 years and am 48 at the moment. I will probably remain in Japan for several more years, but I think it's unlikely that I will still be here by the time I reach retirement age. My company deducts from my monthly salary the maximum monthly contribution. I understand that a few years ago the Japanese government generously introduced a change under which foreigners leaving Japan could receive a partial refund of their contributions up to a maximum amount of (I think) around 600,000 yen. Is there anything I can do to ensure that I do eventually receive a pension from the Japanese government or must I regard my contributions to the scheme as being little more than money down the drain? -- Alex