The agreement provides that Japan will count a worker’s U.S. coverage when determining eligibility for Japanese benefits if the worker:

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  is not insured based on Japanese coverage alone, and

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  has at least 1 month of Japanese coverage.

In addition to the minimum coverage requirements, a recent coverage requirement applies to disability and survivors benefits. The worker or deceased worker must have had current coverage under the Japanese system on the date of the first medical examination establishing the disability or the date of death. The agreement provides that a worker will be deemed to meet the current coverage requirement if he or she:

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  has at least 4 U.S. quarters of coverage (QCs) in the 8-quarter period ending with the calendar quarter on the date of the first medical examination or death, or

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  has at least 6 U.S. QCs in the 13-quarter period ending with the date of the first medical examination or death.

Japan will credit 3 months of coverage for each U.S. QC. However, Japan will not count any month that is already credited as a month of coverage under the Japanese system.

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  GN 01745.020, Japanese benefit eligibility requirements

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  GN 01745.215, Application for benefits under the Japanese agreement