Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
出入国管理及び難民認定法
Contents
This law has 316 articles, so it is read chapter by chapter; the first follows below. To search the whole law, use the search box at the top.
- Chapter I General Provisions第一章 総則Articles 1–2-5 · 6
- Chapter II Entry and Landing第二章 入国及び上陸Articles 3–5-2 · 4
- Chapter III Procedures for Landing第三章 上陸の手続Articles 6–18-2 · 18
- Chapter IV Residence and Departure第四章 在留及び出国Articles 19–26-3 · 58
- Chapter V Procedures for Deportation第五章 退去強制の手続Articles 27–55-2 · 58
- Chapter V-2 Treatment of Detainees第五章の二 被収容者の処遇Articles 55-3–55-83 · 81
- Chapter V-3 Departure Order第五章の三 出国命令Articles 55-84–55-88 · 5
- Chapter VI Responsibility of the Captain of a Vessel or Aircraft and the Carrier第六章 船舶等の長及び運送業者の責任Articles 56–59 · 5
- Chapter VI-2 Inquiry into Facts第六章の二 事実の調査Article 59-2
- Chapter VII Departure from and Return to Japan of Japanese Nationals第七章 日本人の出国及び帰国Articles 60–61 · 3
- Chapter VII-2 Recognition of Refugee Status and Other Related Particulars第七章の二 難民の認定等Articles 61-2–61-2-18 · 18
- Chapter VIII Supplementary Rules第八章 補則Articles 61-3–69-3 · 25
- Chapter IX Penal Provisions第九章 罰則Articles 70–78 · 34
The Cabinet enacts this Cabinet Order pursuant to the Matters Concerning Orders Issued Upon Acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration (Imperial Ordinance No. 542 of 1945).
内閣は、ポツダム宣言の受諾に伴い発する命令に関する件（昭和二十年勅令第五百四十二号）に基き、この政令を制定する。
第一条（目的）
The purpose of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act is to provide for fair management over the entry and departure procedures of all persons in Japan, the residence of foreign nationals in Japan, as well as consolidate the recognition procedures of the refugee status.
第二条（定義）
The terms in the following items as used in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the orders pursuant to the Act are to have the meanings as are defined in each item.
出入国管理及び難民認定法及びこれに基づく命令において、次の各号に掲げる用語の意義は、それぞれ当該各号に定めるところによる。
the term "foreign national" means a person who does not have Japanese nationality;
外国人 日本の国籍を有しない者をいう。
the term "crew member" means a crew member of a vessel or aircraft;
乗員 船舶又は航空機（以下「船舶等」という。）の乗組員をいう。
the term "refugee" means a refugee who falls under the provisions of Article 1 of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (hereinafter referred to as the "Refugee Convention") or the provisions of Article 1 of the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees;
難民 難民の地位に関する条約（以下「難民条約」という。）第一条の規定又は難民の地位に関する議定書第一条の規定により難民条約の適用を受ける難民をいう。
the term "person eligible for complementary protection" means a person other than a refugee who satisfies the requirements for a refugee to whom the Refugee Convention applies, other than the requirement that the reason for which the person is likely to be persecuted is a reason prescribed in Article 1A(2) of the Refugee Convention;
the term "Japanese consular officer, etc." means a Japanese ambassador, minister or consular officer who is stationed in a foreign country;
日本国領事官等 外国に駐在する日本国の大使、公使又は領事官をいう。
the term "passport" means any of the following documents:
旅券 次に掲げる文書をいう。
a passport, a refugee travel document or any other certificate in lieu of the passport (including a travel certificate issued by a Japanese consular officer, etc.) issued by the Japanese Government, a foreign government recognized by the Japanese Government or any authorized international organization;
a document which is equivalent to one of the documents set forth in sub-item (a), issued by any authorized organization of the region as provided for by Cabinet Order;
政令で定める地域の権限のある機関の発行したイに掲げる文書に相当する文書
the term "crew member's pocket-ledger" means a mariner's pocket-ledger or any other equivalent document issued to a crew member by an authorized organization;
乗員手帳 権限のある機関の発行した船員手帳その他乗員に係るこれに準ずる文書をいう。
the term "human trafficking" means any of the following acts:
人身取引等 次に掲げる行為をいう。
the kidnapping, buying or selling of persons for the purpose of profit, indecency or threats to a person's life or body, or transferring, receiving, transporting or hiding persons who have been kidnapped, bought or sold;
営利、わいせつ又は生命若しくは身体に対する加害の目的で、人を略取し、誘拐し、若しくは売買し、又は略取され、誘拐され、若しくは売買された者を引き渡し、収受し、輸送し、若しくは蔵匿すること。
beyond what is provided for in sub-item (a), placing persons under 18 years of age under one's control for the purpose of profit, indecency or threats to a person's life or body;
イに掲げるもののほか、営利、わいせつ又は生命若しくは身体に対する加害の目的で、十八歳未満の者を自己の支配下に置くこと。
beyond what is provided for in sub-item (a), handing over persons under 18 years of age, knowing that they will be or are likely to be placed under the control of a person who has the purpose of profit, indecency or threat to their lives or bodies;
イに掲げるもののほか、十八歳未満の者が営利、わいせつ若しくは生命若しくは身体に対する加害の目的を有する者の支配下に置かれ、又はそのおそれがあることを知りながら、当該十八歳未満の者を引き渡すこと。
the term "port of entry or departure" means a seaport or airport at which a foreign national enters or departs from Japan, as provided for by Ministry of Justice Order;
出入国港 外国人が出入国すべき港又は飛行場で法務省令で定めるものをいう。
the term "carrier" means a person who is engaged in the business of transporting persons or goods by means of vessels or aircraft between Japan and areas outside of Japan;
運送業者 本邦と本邦外の地域との間において船舶等により人又は物を運送する事業を営む者をいう。
the term "immigration inspector" means an immigration inspector as provided in Article 61-3;
入国審査官 第六十一条の三に定める入国審査官をいう。
the term "supervising immigration inspector" means an immigration inspector of a supervisory rank designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency;
主任審査官 上級の入国審査官で出入国在留管理庁長官が指定するものをいう。
the term "special inquiry officer" means an immigration inspector designated and authorized by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to hold hearings;
特別審理官 口頭審理を行わせるため出入国在留管理庁長官が指定する入国審査官をいう。
the term "refugee inquirer" means an immigration inspector designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to execute the duties prescribed in Article 61-3, paragraph (2), item (ii) (limited to the parts pertaining to Article 22-4, paragraph (2), as applied mutatis mutandis to Article 61-2-11, paragraph (2)) and in item (iii) (limited to the parts pertaining to Article 61-2-17, paragraphs (1) and (2));
難民調査官 第六十一条の三第二項第二号（第六十一条の二の十一第二項において準用する第二十二条の四第二項に係る部分に限る。）及び第三号（第六十一条の二の十七第一項及び第二項に係る部分に限る。）に掲げる事務を行わせるため出入国在留管理庁長官が指定する入国審査官をいう。
the term "immigration control officer" means an immigration control officer as provided in Article 61-3-2;
入国警備官 第六十一条の三の二に定める入国警備官をいう。
the term "investigation into violations" means an investigation conducted by an immigration control officer into violations of laws or regulations upon entry, landing or residence of a foreign national;
the term "immigration detention center" means an immigration detention center provided for in Article 30 of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice (Act No. 93 of 1999);
入国者収容所 法務省設置法（平成十一年法律第九十三号）第三十条に定める入国者収容所をいう。
the term "immigration detention center, etc." means an immigration detention center or a detention house established pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-3, paragraph (1);
入国者収容所等 入国者収容所又は第五十五条の三第一項の規定により設けられる収容場をいう。
the term "electronic or magnetic record" means a record created by an electronic or magnetic means (meaning an electronic means, a magnetic means or any other means that cannot be recognized by human perception; the same applies hereinafter) which is used in information processing by computers.
電磁的記録 電磁的方式（電子的方式、磁気的方式その他人の知覚によつては認識することができない方式をいう。以下同じ。）で作られる記録であつて、電子計算機による情報処理の用に供されるものをいう。
Article 2-2Status of Residence and Period of Stay
第二条の二（在留資格及び在留期間）
Changes on (Act No. 60 of 2024)
Except as otherwise provided in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and other laws, a foreign national is to reside in Japan under the status of residence (in the case of the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional", including the category of item (i), sub-items (a) through (c) or item (ii) set forth in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2); in the case of the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence, including the category of item (i) and (ii) set forth in the right-hand column under "Specified Skilled Worker" of the same Table; in the case of the status of residence of "Technical Intern Training", including the category of item (i), sub-item (a) or (b), item (ii), sub-item (a) or (b) or item (iii), sub-item (a) or (b) set forth in the right-hand column under "Technical Intern Training" of the same Table; the same applies hereinafter) associated with that foreign national's permission for landing, under the status of residence that the foreign national has acquired, or under the status of residence following a change to either of these.
Changes on (Act No. 60 of 2024)
The categories of status of residence are to be as set forth in the left-hand column of Appended Table I (in the case of the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional", including the category of item (i), sub-items (a) through (c) or item (ii) set forth in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2); in the case of the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence, including the category of item (i) and (ii) set forth in the right-hand column under "Specified Skilled Worker" of the same Table; in the case of the status of residence of "Technical Intern Training", including the category of item (i), sub-item (a) or (b), item (ii), sub-item (a) or (b) or item (iii), sub-item (a) or (b) set forth in the right-hand column under "Technical Intern Training" of the same Table; the same applies hereinafter) and the Appended Table II. A foreign national residing in Japan under a status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of Table I may engage in the activities set forth in the right-hand column corresponding to that status, while a foreign national residing under a status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of Table II may engage in the activities of a person with the status or position set forth in the right-hand column corresponding to that status.
在留資格は、別表第一の上欄（高度専門職の在留資格にあつては二の表の高度専門職の項の下欄に掲げる第一号イからハまで又は第二号の区分を含み、特定技能の在留資格にあつては同表の特定技能の項の下欄に掲げる第一号又は第二号の区分を含み、技能実習の在留資格にあつては同表の技能実習の項の下欄に掲げる第一号イ若しくはロ、第二号イ若しくはロ又は第三号イ若しくはロの区分を含む。以下同じ。）又は別表第二の上欄に掲げるとおりとし、別表第一の上欄の在留資格をもつて在留する者は当該在留資格に応じそれぞれ本邦において同表の下欄に掲げる活動を行うことができ、別表第二の上欄の在留資格をもつて在留する者は当該在留資格に応じそれぞれ本邦において同表の下欄に掲げる身分若しくは地位を有する者としての活動を行うことができる。
The period during which a foreign national may reside as set forth in paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "period of stay") is determined for each status of residence by Ministry of Justice Order; and if the status of residence is one other than that of "Diplomat", "Official", "Highly Skilled Professional" or "Permanent Resident" (in the case of the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional", limited to those pertaining to item (ii) in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2)), the period of stay does not exceed 5 years.
foreign national
「外国人」
Anyone who does not hold Japanese nationality.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (i)· applies throughout the law
crew member
「乗員」
A member of the crew of a ship or aircraft.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (ii)· applies throughout the law
vessels, etc.machine translation
「船舶等」
Ships and aircraft.
Short name set inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (ii)
refugee
「難民」
A refugee to whom the Refugee Convention applies under Article 1 of the Convention or Article 1 of the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (iii)· applies throughout the law
Refugee Convention
「難民条約」
The Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Short name set inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (iii)
person eligible for complementary protectionmachine translation
「補完的保護対象者」
A person who is not a refugee but meets every requirement for refugee status under the Refugee Convention except that the persecution they fear is not for one of the reasons in Article 1A(2) of the Convention.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (iii-2)· applies throughout the law
Japanese consular officer, etc.
「日本国領事官等」
A Japanese ambassador, minister or consular officer stationed abroad.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (iv)· applies throughout the law
passport
「旅券」
A passport, refugee travel document or other document in place of a passport (including a travel certificate from a Japanese consular officer) issued by the Japanese government, a foreign government Japan recognizes or a competent international organization, or an equivalent document from a competent authority of a region designated by Cabinet Order.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (v)· applies throughout the law
crew member's pocket-ledger
「乗員手帳」
A seafarer's identity book issued by a competent authority, or a similar document for crew members.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (vi)· applies throughout the law
human trafficking
「人身取引等」
Abducting, kidnapping, buying or selling a person, or handing over, receiving, transporting or hiding such a person, for profit, for indecent purposes or to harm them; and placing a person under 18 under one's control, or handing one over to someone else's, for those purposes.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (vii)· applies throughout the law
port of entry or departure
「出入国港」
A seaport or airport, designated by Ministry of Justice Order, through which foreign nationals must enter and leave Japan.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (viii)· applies throughout the law
carrier
「運送業者」
A business that carries people or goods by ship or aircraft between Japan and places outside Japan.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (ix)· applies throughout the law
immigration inspector
「入国審査官」
The immigration official provided for in Article 61-3, who examines people landing in Japan and cases for deportation, among other duties.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (x)· applies throughout the law
supervising immigration inspector
「主任審査官」
A senior immigration inspector designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xi)· applies throughout the law
special inquiry officer
「特別審理官」
An immigration inspector designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to hold oral hearings.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xii)· applies throughout the law
refugee inquirermachine translation
「難民調査官」
An immigration inspector designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to hear opinions and investigate facts in refugee and complementary-protection proceedings.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xii-2)· applies throughout the law
immigration control officer
「入国警備官」
The immigration official provided for in Article 61-3-2, who investigates violations and detains, escorts and removes people, among other duties.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xiii)· applies throughout the law
investigation into violations
「違反調査」
An investigation by an immigration control officer into a possible breach of the rules on foreign nationals' entry, landing or residence.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xiv)· applies throughout the law
immigration detention center
「入国者収容所」
An immigration detention center established under Article 30 of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xv)· applies throughout the law
immigration detention center, etc.machine translation
「入国者収容所等」
An immigration detention center, or a detention facility set up at a regional immigration services bureau under Article 55-3(1).
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xvi)· applies throughout the law
electronic or magnetic meansmachine translation
「電磁的方式」
Electronic, magnetic or any other form that people cannot perceive directly with their senses.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xvii)
electronic or magnetic recordmachine translation
「電磁的記録」
A record made in electronic, magnetic or any other form people cannot perceive directly, for use in computer processing.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xvii)· applies throughout the law
period of staymachine translation
「在留期間」
How long a foreign national may stay in Japan under a status of residence; the lengths are set by Ministry of Justice Order and, for most statuses, cannot exceed five years.
Short name set inArticle 2-2, paragraph (3)
the Cabinet
内閣
The body that holds executive power: the Prime Minister and the other Ministers of State (Articles 65 and 66). It administers the law, conducts foreign affairs, prepares the budget and issues Cabinet Orders (政令); Article 73 is the list. It answers to the Diet as a body (Article 66, paragraph (3)), and must resign if the House of Representatives passes a vote of no confidence and is not dissolved within ten days (Article 69).
Written by AI using Constitution, Arts. 65, 66, 69, 73 and Wikipedia: Cabinet of Japan as a reference.