Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

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).

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.

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.

the term "foreign national" means a person who does not have Japanese nationality;

the term "crew member" means a crew member of a vessel or aircraft;

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;

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;

the term "passport" means any of the following documents:

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;

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;

the term "human trafficking" means any of the following acts:

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

the term "immigration inspector" means an immigration inspector as provided in Article 61-3;

the term "supervising immigration inspector" means an immigration inspector of a supervisory rank designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency;

the term "special inquiry officer" means an immigration inspector designated and authorized by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to hold hearings;

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));

the term "immigration control officer" means an immigration control officer as provided in Article 61-3-2;

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);

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);

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.

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.

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.

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.

The government must establish a basic policy on the operation of the system pertaining to the status of residence of the "Specified Skilled Worker" (hereinafter referred to as "basic policy") in order to ensure the proper operation of the system pertaining to the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence.

The basic policy establishes the following particulars.

the particulars on the significance of the system pertaining to the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence;

the basic particulars on industrial fields that need to supplement a shortage of human resources through the employment of foreign nationals due to the difficulty in securing human resources;

the basic particulars on human resources required in the industrial fields under the preceding item;

the basic particulars on adjustment of the administrative affairs of the related administrative organs relating to operation of the system pertaining to the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence;

in addition to those particulars set forth in the preceding items, important particulars on operation of the system pertaining to the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence.

The Minister of Justice must prepare a draft basic policy and request the approval of the Cabinet.

When preparing a draft basic policy, the Minister of Justice must hear in advance the opinions of persons with expert knowledge concerning "Specified Skilled Worker".

If the Cabinet approval is received pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3), the Minister of Justice must publish the basic policy without delay.

The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to any changes to the basic policy.

The Minister of Justice must, pursuant to the basic policy, establish a policy on the operation of the system pertaining to the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence in the industrial fields (hereinafter referred to as "field-specific operation policy") in cooperation with the heads of the administrative organs with jurisdiction over the industrial fields which need to secure human resources to supplement the labor shortage through the employment of foreign nationals owing to the difficulty in securing human resources, the National Public Safety Commission, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health, Labor and Welfare (hereinafter referred to as the "heads of the administrative organs and others" in this Article) in order to ensure proper operation of the system pertaining to the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence in the applicable industrial field.

The field-specific operation policy stipulates the following particulars.

the industrial fields, which need to secure human resources to supplement the labor shortage through the employment of foreign nationals due to the difficulty in securing human resources, to be specified in the field-specific operation policy;

the particulars on the situation of the shortage of human resources in the industrial fields under the preceding item (including the situation of the region in which there is a shortage of human resources in the applicable industrial field);

the particulars on the criteria for the human resources required in the industrial fields of item (i);

the particulars on the measures for suspension of issuance of the certificates of eligibility or the measures for recommencement of issuance provided for in Article 7-2, paragraph (1) pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) and paragraph (4) of the same Article (including cases in which these provisions are applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to paragraph (5) of the same Article) in the industrial fields of item (i);

in addition to those particulars set forth in each of the preceding items, important particulars on operation of the system pertaining to the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence in the industrial fields of item (i).

When establishing a field-specific operation policy, the Minister of Justice and the heads of the administrative organs with jurisdiction over the fields and others must hear in advance the opinions of persons with expert knowledge concerning "Specified Skilled Worker".

When establishing a field-specific operation policy, the Minister of Justice and the heads of the administrative organs with jurisdiction over the fields and others must consult in advance the heads of the relevant administrative organs other than the heads of the administrative organs with jurisdiction over the fields and others.

When a field-specific operation policy has been established, the Minister of Justice and the heads of the administrative organs with jurisdiction over the fields and others must publicly announce the policy without delay.

The provisions of the preceding three paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to any changes to the field-specific operation policy.

Contracts on employment to be entered into by a foreign national who seeks to engage in the activities set forth in item (i) or item (ii) of the right-hand column under "Specified Skilled Worker" of the Appended Table 1 (2) (hereinafter referred to as the "employment contract for specified skilled workers" in this Article and Chapter IV, Section 1, Subsection 2) with a public or private organization in Japan must conform to the criteria specified in Ministry of Justice Order as having the following particulars properly prescribed.

the content of the activities to be engaged in by the foreign national based on the employment contract for a specified skilled worker, and particulars concerning employment relationship, such as remuneration for the activities;

in addition to those particulars set forth in the preceding item, measures to secure the departure of foreign nationals whose period of the employment contract for a specified skilled worker has expired, and other particulars necessary to contribute to the proper residence of foreign nationals.

The criteria specified in the Ministry of Justice Order set forth under the preceding paragraph are to include the fact that discriminatory treatment with regard to decisions on remuneration, implementation of education and training, use of welfare facilities and other treatment on the grounds that the worker is a foreign national is not permitted.

The public or private organization in Japan that is the other party to an employment contract for a specified skilled worker must conform to the standards specified by Ministry of Justice Order as ensuring the following particulars.

the proper implementation of the employment contract for specified skilled workers conforming to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs (referred to as "proper employment contract for a specified skilled worker" in Article 19-19, item (ii));

the proper implementation of the support plan for specified skilled workers (i) provided for in paragraph (6) conforming to the provisions of paragraph (6) and paragraph (7) (hereinafter referred to as "support plan for specified skilled workers (i)" in paragraph (5) and Chapter IV, Section 1, Subsection 2).

The criteria specified in the Ministry of Justice Order set forth under the preceding paragraph are to include the fact that the public or private organization in Japan set forth under the same paragraph (including officers if the organization is a corporation) has not conducted a wrongful or significantly unjustifiable act in relation to the laws and regulations on immigration or labor within five years prior to the date of entering into the employment contract for a specified skilled worker.

If the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker (meaning the organization of affiliation of specified skilled worker prescribed in Article 19-18, paragraph (1); the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph) has entrusted the implementation of all of the suitable support plan for specified skilled workers (i) to the registered support organization provided for in Article 19-27, paragraph (1) based on a contract, the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled workers is deemed to conform to the provisions of paragraph (3) (limited to the part pertaining to item (ii)).

A public or private organization in Japan, which seeks to enter into an employment contract for a specified skilled worker, with a foreign national who seeks to engage in the activities set forth in item (i) of the right-hand column under "Specified Skilled Worker" of the Appended Table I (2) must, pursuant to the Ministry of Justice Order, prepare a plan (hereinafter referred to as "support plan for specified skilled workers (i)" in paragraph (8), Article 7, paragraph (1), item (ii) and Subsection 2) concerning the implementation of support (referred to as "support for specified skilled workers (i)" in the following paragraph and Chapter IV, Section 1, Subsection 2) to be provided by the organization for the foreign national's work life, day-to-day living and social life in order to enable foreign nationals, who intend to engage in the activities set forth in the same item, to engage in their activities stably and smoothly.

The support plan for specified skilled workers (i) is to include support pertaining to the promotion of exchanges between the foreign national who seeks to engage in the activities set forth in item (i) of the right-hand column under "Specified Skilled Worker" of the Appended Table I (2) and Japanese nationals, and support that enables the foreign national to engage in the activities set forth in the same item based on an employment contract for specified skilled workers with another public or private organization in Japan if the employment contract for specified skilled workers are cancelled through grounds not attributable to the fault of the foreign national.

The support plan for specified skilled workers (i) must conform to the criteria specified by the Ministry of Justice Order.

The Minister of Justice is to consult with the heads of the related administrative organs in advance if the Minister seeks to establish the Ministry of Justice Order set forth under paragraph (1), paragraph (3), paragraph (6) and the preceding paragraph.

A foreign national who falls under any of the following items must not enter Japan:

a person who does not possess a valid passport (excluding a crew member who possess a valid crew member's pocket-ledger); or

a person who seeks to land in Japan without receiving a seal of verification for landing or undergoing the recording of the prescribed data pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (4), or without obtaining authorized permission for landing (hereinafter referred to as "permission for landing, etc."), from an immigration inspector (except for those set forth in the preceding item).

A foreign national who becomes a crew member in Japan is deemed to be a crew member with regard to the application of the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Deleted

A foreign national who falls under any of the following items is denied permission to land in Japan:

a patient with category 1 infectious diseases, category 2 infectious diseases, pandemic influenza or designated infectious diseases provided for by the Act on Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Medical Care for Patients with Infectious Diseases (Act No. 114 of 1998) (limited to infectious diseases to which the provisions of Article 19 or 20 of the same Act applies mutatis mutandis, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order pursuant to the provisions of Article 44-9 of the same Act), including a person who is deemed to be a patient of category 1 infectious diseases or category 2 infectious disease, pandemic influenza, or designated infectious diseases pursuant to the provisions of Article 8 of the same Act (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 44-9 of the same Act), or any person who has symptoms of a new infectious disease;

a person who, due to a mental disability, has a habitual condition of being unable to understand right from wrong or whose capacity for understanding is significantly lacking, and is not accompanied by those persons provided for by Ministry of Justice Order for that person's assistance in engaging in activities in Japan;

a person who is indigent or without a fixed dwelling place and is likely to become a burden on the Japanese Government or a local public entity because of an inability to make a living;

a person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or of any other country, and has been sentenced to imprisonment for 1 year or more, or to an equivalent penalty; provided, however, that this does not apply to those convicted of a political offense;

a person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or of any other country relating to the control of narcotics, marijuana, opium, stimulant drugs or psychotropic drugs, and has been sentenced to a punishment;

a person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or of any other country or has been deported from Japan pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act or deported from any other country pursuant to the provisions of any law or regulation of that country for killing, injuring, assaulting or threatening a person, or damaging a building or other objects in relation to the process or results of an international competition or a competition of an equivalent scale or an international conference (hereinafter referred to as "international competition, etc.") or with the intent of preventing the smooth operation thereof, and is likely to kill, injure, assault or threaten a person, or damage a building or other objects in relation to the process or results of an international competition, etc. held in Japan or with the intent of preventing the smooth implementation thereof, at the venue of the international competition, etc. or within the area of the municipality where the venue is located (including special wards, and wards or administratively consolidated wards in designated cities prescribed in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947)) or to neighboring places provided for use to unspecified or a large number of persons;

a person who illegally possesses any narcotics or psychotropic substances as prescribed in the Narcotics and Psychotropic Control Act (Act No. 14 of 1953), opium poppy, opium or poppy as prescribed in the Opium Control Act (Act No. 71 of 1954), stimulant drugs or stimulants' raw materials as prescribed in the Stimulants Control Act (Act No. 252 of 1951), or any apparatus used to smoke opium;

a person who has engaged in prostitution, or intermediation or solicitation of prostitution, provision of a place for prostitution, or any other business directly connected to prostitution (except for those who have engaged in these businesses under the control of another person due to human trafficking);

a person who has committed human trafficking or incited or aided another person to commit human trafficking;

a person who illegally possesses firearms, crossbows, swords or other weapons as prescribed in the Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Weapons (Act No. 6 of 1958) or explosives as provided for by the Explosives Control Act (Act No. 149 of 1950);

a person who falls under any of sub-items (a) through (f) for whom the period set forth in the relevant provisions has not yet elapsed:

a person who has been denied landing for any of the reasons prescribed in the provisions of either item (vi) or the preceding item:1 year from the date of denial.

a person who has been deported from Japan for any of the reasons set forth in the items under Article 24 (excluding item (iv), sub-items (l) through (o), and item (iv)-3), who has received the decision set forth in Article 52, paragraph (5), and who has departed from Japan based on the permission under the provisions of paragraph (4) of the same Article by the date provided for by Ministry of Justice Order as prescribed in paragraph (5) of the same Article (excluding a person who seeks to engage in the activities set forth in the right-hand column corresponding to "Temporary Visitor" specified in Appended Table I (3)):1 year from the date of deportation;

a person who has been deported from Japan for any of the reasons set forth in the items under Article 24 (excluding item (iv), sub-items (l) through (o), and item (iv)-3) and who has not previously been deported from Japan or has not departed from Japan under a departure order pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-85, paragraph (1), before the aforesaid date of deportation (excluding a person set forth in sub-item (b)):5 years from the date of deportation;

a person (except for the persons set forth in sub-items (b) and (c)) who has been deported from Japan for falling under any of the items of Article 24 (excluding item (iv), sub-items (l) through (o), and item (iv)-3):10 years from the date of deportation;

a person who has departed from Japan under a departure order pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-85, paragraph (1) (excluding a person set forth in sub-item (f)):1 year from the date of departure;

a person who falls under Article 24-3, item (i), sub-item (b) and who has departed from Japan under a departure order pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-85, paragraph (1) (limited to a person who seeks to engage in the activities set forth in the right-hand column corresponding to "Temporary Visitor" specified in Appended Table I (3)):5 years from the date of departure;

a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment on the charge of a crime provided for in Part II, Chapters XII, XVI through XIX, XXIII, XXVI, XXVII, XXXI, XXXIII, XXXVI, XXXVII or XXXIX of the Penal Code (Act No. 45 of 1907), or in Article 1, 1-2 or 1-3 (excluding the parts pertaining to Article 222 or 261 of the Penal Code) of the Act on Punishment of Physical Violence and Others (Act No. 60 of 1926), the Act on the Prevention and Punishment of Burglary, Robbery, Theft, etc. (Act No. 9 of 1930), or Article 15 or 16 of the Act on Prohibition of Possession of Special Picking Tools, and Other Related Matters (Act No. 65 of 2003), or Article 2 or Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Act on Punishment of Acts of Inflicting Death or Injury on Others by Driving a Motor Vehicle, etc. (Act No. 86 of 2013), or Article 22 of the Act on Prevention of the Disposal of Stolen Specified Metal Articles and Other Related Matters (Act No. 75 of 2025) during their stay in Japan with the status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of Appended Table I, who subsequently left Japan and whose sentence became final and binding while the relevant person was outside of Japan, and for whom 5 years have not yet elapsed from the date that the sentence became final and binding;

a person who has been deported from Japan for falling under any of Article 24, item (iv), sub-items (1) through (o);

a person who schemes or advocates the overthrow of the Constitution of Japan or the government formed thereunder by means of force or violence, or who organizes or is a member of a political party or any organization which schemes or advocates the same;

a person who organizes, or is a member of, or is closely affiliated with any of the following political parties or organizations:

a political party or organization which encourages acts of violence or the assault, killing, or injury of officials of the government or of local public entities for the reason of being officials;

a political party or organization which encourages illegal damage to or destruction of public facilities;

a political party or organization which encourages acts of dispute to interrupt or prevent the normal maintenance or operation of the security facilities of a factory or other workplaces;

a person who schemes to prepare, distribute, or exhibit printed particulars, motion pictures, or any other documents or drawings to attain the objectives of any political party or organization prescribed in item (xi) or the preceding item; or

other than those persons set forth in items (i) through (xiii), a person whom the Minister of Justice has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to commit an act which could be detrimental to the interests or public security of Japan.

Even if a foreign national seeking to land in Japan does not fall under any of the items of the preceding paragraph, if the country of which the foreign national is a national or citizen denies landing to a Japanese national for any ground other than those set forth in the items of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice may deny their landing for the same ground.

Even when there is a specific ground that falls under the provisions of paragraph (1), items (iv), (v), (vii), (ix) or (ix)-2 of the preceding Article for a foreign national, if the Minister of Justice grants the foreign national re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1) or other cases provided for by the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order and if the Minister finds reasonable grounds to do so, the Minister may decide not to deny the foreign national landing in Japan due to only that specific ground.

Any foreign national (except for a crew member; hereinafter the same applies in this Section) who seeks to land in Japan must possess a valid passport with a visa issued by a Japanese consular officer, etc.; provided, however, that a visa is not required for the passport of a foreign national for whom a visa issued by a Japanese consular officer, etc. is unnecessary pursuant to an international agreement or through notification to that effect from the Japanese Government to a foreign government for the passport of a person for whom re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1) (including those persons who are deemed to have been granted re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26-2, paragraph (1) or Article 26-3, paragraph (1); the same applies hereinafter) has been granted or for the refugee travel document of a person who has been issued a document pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-15, paragraph (1).

The foreign national set forth in the main clause of the preceding paragraph must apply for landing with an immigration inspector at the port of entry or departure in which the national seeks to land and undergo an examination for landing in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

A foreign national who seeks to apply for landing as set forth in the preceding paragraph must provide an immigration inspector with personal identification information (fingerprints, photographs or other information as provided for by Ministry of Justice Order that serves to identify the individual; the same applies hereinafter) by an electronic or magnetic means for use by a computer as provided for by Ministry of Justice Order which is utilized for personal identification of the applicant, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order; provided, however, that this does not apply to a person who falls under any of the following items:

a special permanent resident provided for by the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, those who have lost Japanese Nationality pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan (Act No. 71 of 1991; hereinafter referred to as the "Special Act") (hereinafter referred to as "special permanent resident");

a person who is under 16 years of age;

a person who seeks to engage in Japan in an activity set forth in the right-hand column under "Diplomat" or "Official" of (1) of the Appended Table I;

a person who is invited by the head of a national administrative organ; or

a person provided for by Ministry of Justice Order as equivalent to a person set forth in the two preceding items.

If the application set forth in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article is filed, an immigration inspector must conduct an examination on whether or not the foreign national conforms to each of the following conditions for landing in Japan (regarding a person who has been granted re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1) or a person who possesses a refugee travel document issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-15, paragraph (1), only the conditions set forth in the following items (i) and (iv)):

the passport possessed by the foreign national and the visa affixed thereto must be valid, when a visa is required;

the activities stated in the application to be conducted while in Japan are not false, and fall under either of the activities set forth in the right-hand column of the Appended Table I (excluding activities set forth in item (ii) of the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional"; regarding the activities set forth in the right-hand column of Appended Table I (5), limited to the activities designated by the Minister of Justice in public notice in advance), or the activities of a person with a status or position set forth in the right-hand column of the Appended Table II (excluding the position set forth in the right-hand column under "Permanent Resident"; regarding the position set forth under "Long-Term Resident," limited to a position designated by the Minister of Justice in public notice in advance), and regarding those who intend to engage in activities set forth in the right-hand column of the Appended Table I (2) and (4), the activities are to conform to the conditions provided for by Ministry of Justice Order in taking into account the impact on Japanese industry and public welfare (regarding foreign nationals who intend to engage in the activities set forth in item (i) of the right-hand column of "Specified Skilled Worker" of the Appended Table I(2), including cases in which the support plan for specified skilled workers (i) conforms to the provisions of Article 2-5, paragraph (6) and paragraph (7));

the period of stay stated in the application must conform to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order pursuant to the provisions of Article 2-2, paragraph (3); or

the foreign national must not fall under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1) (in the case of a foreign national for whom the provisions of Article 5-2 are to be applied, due to the specific grounds prescribed in the same Article, the foreign national falls under items (iv), (v), (vii), (ix) or (ix)-2 of the same paragraph, and the foreign national does not fall under any of the items of the same paragraph due to grounds other than the specified grounds; the same applies hereinafter).

The foreign national subject to the examination set forth in the preceding paragraph must themselves prove that they conform to the conditions for landing prescribed therein.In this case, a foreign national who seeks to engage in an activity set forth in item (i), sub-items (a) through (c) in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2) or items (i) or (ii) of the right-hand column of "Specified Skilled Worker" in the same Table must use the certificate of eligibility as provided for in paragraph (1) of the following Article to prove that they conform to the conditions set forth in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph.

The Minister of Justice is to consult with the heads of the related administrative organs in advance when prescribing the Ministry of Justice Order set forth in paragraph (1), item (ii).

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), if an immigration inspector acknowledges a foreign national who does not fall under any item of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article and the foreign national fails to provide personal identification information pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph, the officer must transfer the foreign national to a special inquiry officer for conducting a hearing pursuant to the provisions of Article 10.

Upon receiving an advance application from a foreign national seeking to land in Japan (except for those who seek to engage in the activities set forth in the right-hand column corresponding to "Temporary Visitor" specified in Appended Table I (3)), the Minister of Justice, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order, may issue a certificate (hereinafter referred to as "certificate of eligibility") stating that the foreign national conforms to the conditions set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), item (ii).

The application as set forth in the preceding paragraph may be made by a staff member of the organization that will accept the foreign national, or by other persons prescribed by the Ministry of Justice Order to act as an agent.

If the head of the administrative organ with jurisdiction over the specified industrial field (meaning the "specified industrial fields" provided for in item (i) of the right-hand column under "Specified Skilled Worker" of the Appended Table I (2); hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph and Article 20, paragraph (1)) finds that the necessary human resources in a specified industrial field have been secured based on the field-specific operation policy pertaining to the specified industrial field, the head is to make a request to the Minister of Justice to take measures to temporarily suspend the issuance of certificates of eligibility.

If a request has been made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice is to take measures to temporarily suspend the issuance of certificates of eligibility based on the field-specific operation policy.

The provisions of the preceding two paragraphs apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which measures to recommence the issuance of certificates of eligibility are taken if measures to temporarily suspend the issuance of certificates of eligibility have been taken.In this case, the term "have been secured" in paragraph (3) is replaced with "are experiencing a shortage", and the term "is to" is replaced with "may" in the preceding two paragraphs.

An immigration inspector may, when conducting an examination set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), board a vessel or aircraft.

If, as a result of the examination, an immigration inspector finds that a foreign national conforms to the conditions for landing prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), the inspector must affix a seal of verification for landing permission to the passport of the foreign national..

In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, the determination of whether the foreign national falls under Article 5, paragraph (1), item (i) or (ii) must be made subject to a medical examination by a physician designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare or by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.

The immigration inspector, when affixing the seal set forth in paragraph (1), must decide the status of residence and period of stay of the foreign national and clearly state that fact in their passport; provided, however, that this does not apply in cases of a person who has been granted re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1), or a person who possesses a refugee travel document issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-15, paragraph (1).

If an immigration inspector has found that a foreign national who falls under all of the following items conforms to the conditions for landing prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), the inspector may record the foreign national's name, date of landing, the port of entry or departure at which the foreign national lands and other information as provided by Ministry of Justice Order in a file kept on a computer as provided for by Ministry of Justice Order to be used as a record and in lieu of the seal of verification for landing.In this case, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, the immigration inspector does not have to affix the seal of verification set forth in the same paragraph:

the foreign national has received the registration set forth in paragraph (8) (for those persons who are registered as falling under item (i), sub-item (c) of the same paragraph, limited to those who possess a registered user card issued pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (8) of the following Article); and

the foreign national has provided personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order in applying for landing.

If the immigration inspector records the prescribed data pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph for a foreign national possessing a registered user card issued pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or paragraph (8) of the following Article, the immigration inspector must clearly state that fact in the registered user card.

Except for cases in which a seal of verification for landing is affixed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or in which the prescribed information is recorded pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4), the immigration inspector must transfer the foreign national to a special inquiry officer for conducting a hearing pursuant to the provisions of Article 10.

Except for cases in which there are special provisions in Section 4, a foreign national must not land unless they have had a seal of verification for landing affixed to their passport pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, Article 10, paragraph (8), or Article 11, paragraph (4), or in which they have had their prescribed information recorded pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) of this Article.

If a foreign national residing in Japan seeks to depart from Japan with the intention of re-entering Japan and falls under all of the following items (except for item (iii) in the case of a special permanent resident) and wishes to have their prescribed information recorded pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) of this Article at the port of entry or departure at which the foreign national lands, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may register that fact pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

a person who falls under any of the following sub-items (a) to (c):

a person who has received re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1);

a person who possesses a refugee travel document issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-15, paragraph (1);

a person who falls under all of the following (1) to (4):

the person is a person who, upon landing in Japan again, seeks to engage in the activities set forth in the right-hand column under "Temporary Visitor" of Appended Table I (3) while in Japan (excluding a person who falls under sub-item (a));

the number of times the person has received a seal of verification for landing pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), Article 10, paragraph (8) or Article 11, paragraph (4), or a recording pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4), is equal to or greater than the number provided for by Ministry of Justice Order;

the person has no past record of being deported from Japan, or of departing from Japan under a departure order pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-85, paragraph (1); and

the person meets the other requirements provided for by Ministry of Justice Order as necessary for impartial control over immigration.

the foreign national has provided personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order; and

the foreign national does not fall under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1) at the time of registration.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency registers the prescribed information on a foreign national who falls under Article (8), item (i), sub-item (c) of the preceding Article pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph, the Commissioner is to have an immigration inspector issue a registered user card to the foreign national.

The information to be stated in the registered user card are the following:

name, date of birth, sex, country of nationality or the region provided for in Article 2, item (v), sub-item(b);

the number, date of issuance and expiration date of the validity period, of the registered user card;

In accordance with the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order, the registered user card is to display a photograph of the foreign national registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (8) of the preceding Article.In this case, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may use the photograph that was provided by the foreign national pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (3) and other provisions of the laws and regulations prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order.

Beyond what is provided for in the preceding two paragraphs, the format of the registered user card, the particulars to be stated in the registered user card and other necessary particulars regarding the registered user card are to be provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may record all or a part of the particulars set forth in the items of paragraph (2) and the information which is to be indicated pursuant to the provisions of the paragraph (3) on the registered user card in an electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

The validity period of a registered user card is to be until the date on which three years have passed since the day of issuance or the expiration date of the passport possessed by the foreign national who was issued the registered user card, whichever comes earlier.

A foreign national who has been issued with a registered user card may apply to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency for reissuance of the registered user card through the procedures specified in Ministry of Justice Order if the case falls under any of the following items:

the foreign national no longer has the registered user card in their possession due to loss, theft, destruction or other grounds; or

the registered user card has been noticeably damaged or soiled, or if the record pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (5) has been damaged.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to have an immigration inspector issue a new registered user card to the foreign national if an application has been filed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph. With regard to the application of the provisions of paragraph (6) in this case, "the date of issuance" in the same paragraph is replaced with "the date of issuance of the registered user card pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) with regard to foreign nationals issued with a registered user card" and "the foreign national who was issued with a registered user card" is replaced with "the foreign national".

If a foreign national is transferred to a special inquiry officer pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4) or Article 9, paragraph (6), the special inquiry officer must promptly conduct an oral hearing for the foreign national.

If the special inquiry officer conducts an oral hearing, its record must be prepared.

The foreign national or an agent appearing upon their request may, in the course of the oral hearing, produce evidence and interrogate witnesses.

The foreign national may have the attendance of one of their relatives or acquaintances with the permission of the special inquiry officer.

The special inquiry officer may, ex officio or upon the request of the foreign national, order the appearance of witnesses, put them under oath and seek testimony in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

The special inquiry officer may make inquiries to public offices or to public or private organizations and request necessary facts to be reported, if necessary for the oral hearing.

If the special inquiry officer finds, as a result of the hearing, that the foreign national who has been transferred to the officer pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4) does not fall under any of the items of paragraph (3) of Article 6, the officer is to promptly notify the foreign national of their findings and order the foreign national to depart Japan, and must also inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the aircraft who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the foreign national arrived; provided, however, that this does not apply if the foreign national provides the special inquiry officer with personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

If the special inquiry officer finds, as a result of the oral hearing, that the foreign national (in the case of a foreign national who has been transferred to the officer pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4), this only applies to a foreign national who the special inquiry officer finds to under any item of Article 6, paragraph (3) or to a foreign national who provides the special inquiry officer with personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order; hereinafter the same applies in paragraph (10)) conforms to the conditions for landing as prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), the special inquiry officer must immediately affix the seal of verification for landing to the foreign national's passport.

The provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the seal of verification for landing set forth in the preceding paragraph.

If the special inquiry officer finds, as a result of the oral hearing, that the foreign national does not conform to the conditions for landing prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), the officer is to promptly notify the foreign national of their findings and the reasons therefor, and must inform the foreign national that they may file an objection pursuant to the provisions of the following Article.

If the foreign national, upon receipt of the notice set forth in the preceding paragraph, accepts the findings set forth in the preceding paragraph, the special inquiry officer is to order the foreign national to depart from Japan after the foreign national has signed a statement that they will not file an objection, and must also inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the foreign national arrived to that effect.

If a foreign national who has received the notice set forth in paragraph (10) of the preceding Article has an objection to the findings, the foreign national may file an objection with the Minister of Justice within 3 days from the receipt of the notice by submitting a document stating the grounds of complaint to the supervising immigration inspector in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

If the objection set forth in the preceding paragraph is filed, the supervising immigration inspector must submit to the Minister of Justice the records of the hearing as set forth in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article and other pertinent documents.

If the Minister of Justice has received the objection pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the Minister must decide whether or not the objection is within reason and notify the supervising immigration inspector of the decision.

The supervising immigration inspector, upon receiving a notice of decision from the Minister of Justice to the effect that the objection is within reason, must immediately affix the seal of verification for landing to the foreign national's passport.

The provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the case of affixing the seal of verification for landing set forth in the preceding paragraph.

If the supervising immigration inspector has received a notice from the Minister of Justice regarding a decision to the effect that the objection is unreasonable, the Inspector must promptly inform the foreign national of the decision and order them to depart from Japan, and also inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the foreign national arrived to that effect.

In making a decision as set forth in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, the Minister of Justice may grant special permission for landing to the foreign national if they fall under any of the following items, even if the Minister finds that the objection filed is unreasonable:

the foreign national has been granted re-entry permission;

the foreign national has entered Japan under the control of another person due to human trafficking; or

the Minister of Justice finds that circumstances exist that warrant the granting of special permission for landing.

Regarding the application of paragraph (4) of the preceding article, the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph is deemed as a decision to the effect that the filed objection was within reason.

If a supervising immigration inspector finds it specifically necessary during the process of the procedures for landing prescribed in this Chapter, the inspector may grant permission for provisional landing to a foreign national until completion of the procedures.

If the supervising immigration inspector grants the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, the inspector must issue a provisional landing permit to the foreign national.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the supervising immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the foreign national's place of residence and scope of activities, impose obligation to appear upon receiving summons, and other conditions found necessary pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order, and have the foreign national pay a deposit for an amount provided for by Ministry of Justice Order not exceeding 2 million yen in Japanese currency or an equivalent amount in a foreign currency.

The deposit set forth in the preceding paragraph must be returned to the foreign national if the foreign national receives a seal of verification for landing pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (8) or Article 11, paragraph (4), or if the foreign national is ordered to depart from Japan pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (7) or (11) or Article 11, paragraph (6).

If the foreign national who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (1) has violated the conditions imposed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3), and if the foreign national has fled or failed to respond to a summons without legitimate grounds, the supervising immigration inspector is to confiscate the whole or a part of the deposit set forth in the same paragraph pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

If the supervising immigration inspector has reasonable grounds to suspect that a foreign national who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (1) is likely to flee, the inspector may issue a written detention order and have the foreign national detained by an immigration control officer.

The provisions of Articles 40, 41 and Article 42, paragraph (1) apply mutatis mutandis to the detention pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.In this case, "the written detention order set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article" in Article 40 is replaced with "the written detention order set forth in Article 13, paragraph (6)"; "the suspect" with "the foreign national granted permission for provisional landing"; and "the summary of the facts of the suspected offense" with "grounds for detention", respectively. In Article 41, paragraph (1), the passage, "is to be within 30 days; provided, however, if a supervising immigration inspector finds that there are compelling reasons, they may extend the period for an additional 30 days" is replaced with "for a period of time preceding the completion of procedures for landing provided for in Chapter III which the supervising immigration inspector finds to be necessary"; and in paragraph (3) of the same Article and Article 42, paragraph (1), "a suspect" is deemed to be replaced with "a foreign national granted permission for provisional landing."

In the event that a special inquiry officer or a supervising immigration inspector orders exclusion pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (7) or (11) or Article 11, paragraph (6) respectively, if they find that the foreign national cannot immediately depart from Japan due to the operating schedule of the vessel or aircraft or for other reasons not attributable to the foreign national, the special inquiry officer or the supervising immigration inspector may permit the foreign national to stay in a designated facility (limited to a facility provided for by Ministry of Justice Order) in the vicinity of the port of entry or departure for a designated period, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

The special inquiry officer or the supervising immigration inspector, when they designate the facility and the period set forth in the preceding paragraph, must inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the foreign national arrived to that effect.

An immigration inspector may grant a foreign national (except for crew members) aboard a vessel or aircraft permission for landing at a port of call if the foreign national seeks to go to an area outside of Japan via Japan and wishes to land and stay for not more than 72 hours in an area in the vicinity of the port of entry or departure upon an application from the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft; provided, however, that this does not apply to a foreign national who falls under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1) (this excludes the case in which the provisions of Article 5-2 apply to a foreign national who falls under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1) based on the specific grounds set forth in Article 5-2 and no other grounds; the same applies hereinafter).

If the immigration inspector finds it necessary for an examination pertaining to the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector must affix a seal of verification for landing at the port of call in the passport possessed by the foreign national.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the foreign national's period of landing, scope of activities and other conditions found necessary pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

An immigration inspector may grant a foreign national (except for crew members) aboard a designated passenger ship (a passenger ship in service on a route between Japan and an area outside of Japan which is designated by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency taking into account the fact that measures of verifying the identity of the passengers are appropriately taken and other circumstances; the same applies hereinafter) landing permission for cruise ship tourists upon an application by the captain of the designated passenger ship or the carrier who operates the designated passenger ship, in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order, if the foreign national wishes to land and stay for no more than 30 days (7 days for foreign nationals aboard a designated passenger ship in service on a route in which the number of ports of call within Japan is one) until the time of departure from Japan, for the purpose of sightseeing while the designated passenger ship is in Japan, on the condition that the foreign national returns to the ship by the time the designated passenger ship is to depart from the port of entry or departure for each occasion they disembark from the ship at a Japanese port of entry or departure at which the designated passenger ship makes a port of call.

An immigration inspector may, on finding it to be appropriate, grant a foreign national (except for crew members) aboard a designated passenger ship, landing permission for cruise ship tourists upon an application by the captain of the designated passenger ship or the carrier who operates the designated passenger ship, in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order, if the foreign national wishes to land on multiple occasions and stay within 30 days for the purpose of sightseeing while the designated passenger ship is in Japan, on the condition that the foreign national returns to the ship by the time the designated passenger ship is to depart from the port of entry or departure for each occasion they disembark from the ship at a Japanese port of entry or departure at which the designated passenger ship makes a port of call.

If an immigration inspector finds it necessary for an examination pertaining to the permission set forth in the preceding two paragraphs, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector must issue a landing permit for cruise ship tourists to the foreign national.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the foreign national's period of landing, scope of activities and other conditions found necessary pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

The provisions of the proviso to paragraph (1) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the cases referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2).

If the foreign national who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (2) seeks to land based on this permission, when the immigration inspector finds it necessary, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In the case the foreign national who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (2) intends to land based on the permission, if the immigration inspector learns that the foreign national falls under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1), the inspector is to immediately cancel the permission.

Except as provided for in the preceding paragraph, an immigration inspector may cancel the permission, in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order, if the inspector finds it inappropriate to continue to grant the permission to the foreign national who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (2).In this case, if the foreign national is in Japan, the officer is to designate a period necessary for the foreign national to depart from Japan.

An immigration inspector may grant a foreign national (except for crew members) aboard a vessel permission for landing in transit upon application by the captain of the vessel or the carrier who operates the vessel, if the foreign national wishes to land temporarily for the purpose of sightseeing while the vessel is in Japan, and to return to the vessel at another port of entry or departure at which the vessel is scheduled to call.

An immigration inspector, upon application by the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft, may grant a foreign national (except for crew members) aboard the vessel or aircraft permission for landing in transit if the foreign national wishes to go to an area outside of Japan via Japan and to depart from Japan within 3 days of their entry into Japan from another port of entry or departure in the vicinity of the port at which the foreign national entered Japan on board a vessel or aircraft other than the one on which the foreign national arrived in Japan.

If the immigration inspector finds it necessary for an examination pertaining to the permission set forth in the preceding two paragraphs, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector must affix a seal of verification for landing in transit to the passport possessed by the foreign national.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the foreign national's period of landing, transit route and other conditions found necessary pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

The provisions of the proviso to paragraph (1) of Article 14 apply mutatis mutandis to the cases referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article.

An immigration inspector may grant landing permission to crew members who are foreigners (including those who become crew members in Japan; hereinafter the same applies in this Article) who wish to land for a period not exceeding 15 days for the purpose of transferring to another vessel or aircraft (including the boarding of a vessel or aircraft), rest, shopping or other similar purposes upon application by the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft (including the vessel or aircraft they are to board) in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

An immigration inspector may grant landing permission to crew members who fall under any of the following items, if it is found appropriate to do so:

in case a foreign crew member of a vessel in regular service between Japan and other countries or of other vessels that frequently enter Japanese ports of entry and departure wishes to land in Japan for rest, shopping or other similar purposes on multiple occasions for a period within 1 year from the date of permission, upon application by the captain of the vessel or the carrier who operates the vessel on which the foreign crew member is aboard, in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order; or

in case a foreign crew member of an aircraft in regular service between Japan and other countries wishes to land in Japan for a period not exceeding fifteen days from each arrival date for rest, shopping or other similar purposes and to depart from the same port of entry or departure as a crew member of an aircraft belonging to the same carrier on multiple occasions within 1 year from the date of permission, upon application by the carrier, in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

If the immigration inspector finds it necessary for an examination pertaining to the permission set forth in the preceding two paragraphs, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector must issue a crew member's landing permit to the crew member.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the crew member's period of landing, scope of activities (including the route to be taken in transit) and other conditions found necessary, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

The provisions of the proviso to Article 14, paragraph (1), apply mutatis mutandis to the cases referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article.

If the crew member who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (2) of this Article seeks to land based on that permission, the immigration inspector may, if found necessary, require the crew member to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In the case the crew member who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (2) intends to land based on that permission, and if the immigration inspector learns that the crew member falls under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1), the inspector is to immediately cancel the permission.

Except as provided for in the preceding paragraph, the immigration inspector may cancel the permission, in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order, if the inspector finds it inappropriate to continue to grant the permission.In this case, if the crew member is in Japan, the inspector is to designate a period necessary for the crew member to return to their ship or depart from Japan.

In the case of disease or any other accident which requires emergency landing of a foreign national aboard a vessel or aircraft for the purpose of medical treatment, an immigration inspector may grant permission for emergency landing to the foreign national based on an application by the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft until the grounds cease to exist, subject to a medical examination by a physician designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare or the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.

If the immigration inspector finds it necessary for an examination pertaining to the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector must issue an emergency landing permit to the foreign national.

If the permission set forth in paragraph (1) is granted, the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier set forth in the same paragraph must pay the living expenses, medical treatment expenses, and funeral expenses and any other expenses incurred during the emergency landing period for the person granted emergency landing permission.

If a vessel or aircraft is in distress and an immigration inspector finds it necessary for the rescue and protection of foreign national on board the vessel or aircraft or for any other urgent necessity, the inspector may grant the foreign national, landing permission due to distress based on an application by the mayor of the city, town or village who gives aid to the victims pursuant to the provisions of the Sea Casualties Rescue Act (Act No. 95 of 1899), on an application by the captain of a vessel or aircraft who gave aid to the foreign national, or the captain of the vessel or aircraft in distress or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft.

The immigration inspector is to immediately grant permission for landing due to distress, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if the foreign national set forth in the preceding paragraph has been transferred by a police officer or a coast guard officer.

If the immigration inspector finds it necessary for an examination pertaining to the permission set forth in paragraph (1) of this Article, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order. The same applies if the inspector finds it necessary when the foreign national is handed over pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector must issue a landing permit due to distress to the foreign national.

In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the foreign national's period of landing, scope of activities and other conditions found necessary pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

An immigration inspector may grant landing permission for temporary refuge upon an application by a foreign national aboard a vessel or aircraft who is considered to fall under all of the following items:

a person who falls under either of the following sub-items (a) or (b):

a person who has entered Japan for the reasons prescribed in Article 1, paragraph A-(2) of the Refugee Convention or other reasons equivalent thereto after fleeing from a territory where their life, body or physical freedom were threatened;

a person who has entered Japan after fleeing from a territory where they were likely to be persecuted (excluding a person set forth in sub-item (a)); and

it would be appropriate to grant temporary landing permission to the person.

If the immigration inspector finds it necessary for an examination pertaining to the permission pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the inspector may require the foreign national to provide their personal identification information in an electronic or magnetic means, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

In granting the permission pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the immigration inspector must issue a landing permit for temporary refuge to the foreign national.

In granting the permission pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the foreign national's period of landing, place of residence, scope of activities and other conditions found necessary, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

Any foreign national who is a resident under a status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of the Appended Table I must not engage in the activities set forth in the following items in accordance with the categories identified therein, except for cases in which they engage in the activities with permission prescribed in paragraph (2) of this Article:

a foreign national who is a resident with a status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of the Appended Tables I (1), I (2) and I (5):activities of managing a business involving income not included in those activities set forth in the right-hand column of those tables in accordance with the status of residence or activities for which they receive remuneration (excluding fees for lectures not given on a regular basis, incidental remuneration received in the course of everyday life and other remuneration provided for by Ministry of Justice Order; the same applies hereinafter); or

a foreign national who is a resident with a status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of the Appended Tables I (3) and I (4):activities of managing a business involving income or activities for which they receive remuneration.

If an application has been submitted by a foreign national who is a resident with a status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of the Appended Table I, in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order, to engage in activities of managing business involving income or activities for which they receive remuneration to the extent that there is no impediment to the original activities under the status of residence, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may grant permission if the Commissioner finds reasonable grounds to do so.In this case, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may impose conditions necessary for the permission.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may cancel the permission in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order if a foreign national, to whom permission was granted based on the preceding paragraph, violates conditions imposed on the foreign national pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph, or in the event that it is found to be inappropriate to continue granting permission to the foreign national.

A foreign crew member who has been granted permission for landing pursuant to the provisions of Articles 16 through 18 continues to be regarded as a crew member, even after ceasing to be a crew member through dismissal, as long as they remain in Japan.

If an application has been submitted by a foreign national residing in Japan, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may issue a document which certifies the eligibility of the applicant for activities of managing business involving income or activities for which the foreign national receives remuneration, pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

No one may give disadvantageous treatment to a foreign national for failure to show or submit the certificate set forth in the preceding paragraph in employing the foreign national, if the activities of managing business involving income or activities for which the foreign national receives remuneration that can be conducted by the foreign national is obvious.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to issue a residence card to foreign nationals who are residing with a status of residence in Japan (hereinafter referred to as "mid- to long-term residents"), which by definition does not include:

a person who has been granted a period of stay of not more than 3 months;

a person who has been granted the status of residence of "Temporary Visitor";

a person who has been granted the status of residence of "Diplomat" or "Official"; or

a person provided for by Ministry of Justice Order as equivalent to a person set forth in any of the preceding three items.

The required information on the residence card is the following particulars:

name, date of birth, sex, country of nationality or a region provided for in Article 2, item (v), sub-item (b);

place of residence (meaning the location of the main place of residence in Japan; the same applies hereinafter);

status of residence and expiration date of the period of stay;

number and expiration date of the validity period of the residence card;

whether or not there are any restrictions on work; and

if the permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (2) has been granted to that effect.

other particulars provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

The number of the residence card set forth in item (iv) of the preceding paragraph is to be established as a different number for each residence card issued (including reissuance), pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

Except where the age of the person on the date of issuance is under the age provided for by Ministry of Justice Order, the residence card is to display a photograph of the mid- to long-term resident pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order. In this case, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may use the photograph that was provided by the mid- to long-term resident pursuant to the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (3) and other provisions of the laws and regulations prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order.

The method of entering the particulars to be entered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), the method of displaying the photograph to be displayed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the form of the residence card and other necessary particulars concerning the residence card are provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to record the following particulars on the residence card in an electronic or magnetic means pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order, in addition to the particulars set forth in the items of paragraph (1) and the particulars pertaining to the photograph displayed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3):

period of stay;

type and date of permission;

date of issuance of the residence card;

beyond what is set forth in the preceding three items, particulars provided for by Ministry of Justice Order; and

the fact that the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency has recorded the particulars set forth in the items of paragraph (1), the particulars pertaining to the photograph displayed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) and the particulars set forth in the preceding items.

The validity period of the residence card is to last until the end of the last day prescribed in the respective item in accordance with the categories set forth in the following items pertaining to the mid- to long-term resident who is to be issued the residence card:

a person residing with the status of residence of "Permanent Resident" (excluding a person set forth in the following item) or "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to that pertaining to item (ii) of the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of Appended Table I (2)):the tenth birthday after the date of issuance of the residence card (if an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-11, paragraph (1) has been filed, the expiration date of the validity period of the residence card that the person who filed the application possessed at that time (referred to as the "old card" in the following item and Article 19-15-3)) (if the birthday of the foreign national is February 29, the birthday of the foreign national in a year other than a leap year is deemed to be February 28; the same applies hereinafter);

a permanent resident who is under 18 years of age on the date of issuance of the residence card (with regard to an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-11, paragraph (1), excluding a person for whom the expiration date of the validity period of the old card is their eighteenth birthday):the fifth birthday after the date of issuance of the residence card (if an application pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph has been filed, the expiration date of the validity period of the old card); or

a person other than the foreign nationals set forth in the preceding two items:the expiration date of the period of stay.

If the validity period of the residence card lasts until the end of the last day of the person's period of stay pursuant to the provisions of item (iii) of the preceding paragraph, and if the mid- to long-term resident who was issued with the residence card is permitted to continue residing in Japan after the expiration of the period of stay pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (6) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (4); the same applies hereinafter in this paragraph, Article 24, item (iv), sub-item (b) and Article 26, paragraph (4)), the validity period of the residence card is to last until the end of the period during which the foreign national is permitted to reside in Japan pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (6).

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to have an immigration inspector issue a residence card pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order to a person who has become a mid- to long-term resident who was granted a seal of verification for landing or permission (limited to those with a decision on the status of residence) pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 or Section 2 of the preceding Chapter.

The mid- to long-term resident provided for in the preceding Article must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of their place of residence though the mayor of the municipality upon submitting their residence card to the mayor of the municipalities (including special wards, and wards or administratively consolidated wards in the designated cities prescribed in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act; the same applies hereinafter) in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order, within 14 days of the date of settling on a place of residence.

The mayor of the municipalities, if the residence card has been submitted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, is to enter the place of residence onto the residence card (including the record pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-4, paragraph (5)) and is to return it to the mid- to long-term resident.

If the mid- to long-term resident referred to in paragraph (1) has filed a notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 30-46 of the Residential Basic Book Act (Act No. 81 of 1967) by submitting their residence card, the notification is deemed to be the notification pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph.

A person who has newly become a mid- to long-term resident by being granted permission pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 20, paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-2, paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-3)), Article 21, paragraph (3), Article 22, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-2, paragraph (4) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-3)), Article 50, paragraph (1), Article 61-2-2, paragraph (1) or Article 61-2-5, paragraph (1) must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of their place of residence through the mayor of the municipality of the place of residence upon submitting their residence card to the mayor in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order within 14 days of the date of settling on a place of residence (with regard to persons who have already settled on a place of residence, the date of the respective permission).

The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the residence card is submitted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Where the mid- to long-term resident provided for in paragraph (1) has filed a notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 30-46 or Article 30-47 of the Residential Basic Book Act by submitting their residence card, the notification is deemed to be the notification pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph.

If the foreign national provided for in Article 22-2, paragraph (1) or Article 22-3 has submitted a copy of the certificate of residence or a certificate of items stated in resident register provided for in Article 12, paragraph (1) of the Residential Basic Book Act to the Minister of Justice when filing an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-2, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-3), the notification provided for in paragraph (1) is deemed to have been filed at the time of the permission pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 20, paragraph (3) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 22-2, paragraph (3) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-3) or the permission provided for in Article 22, paragraph (2) as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 22-2, paragraph (4) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-3) being granted.

If the mid-to long-term resident has changed their place of residence, they must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of the new place of residence (meaning the place of residence following the change; the same applies hereinafter) through the mayor of the municipality of the new place of residence upon submitting their residence card to the mayor in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order within 14 days of the date of relocating to a new place of residence.

The provisions of Article 19-7, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the residence card is submitted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

Where the mid- to long-term resident provided for in paragraph (1) has filed a notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 22, Article 23, or Article 30-46 of the Residential Basic Book Act by submitting their residence card, the notification is deemed to be the notification pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph.

The mid- to long-term resident must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of the change in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order if a change has occurred in the particulars set forth in Article 19-4, paragraph (1), item (i), within 14 days of the date of the occurrence of the change.

Where the notification set forth in the preceding paragraph has been filed, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to have an immigration inspector issue a new residence card to the mid- to long-term resident.

A mid- to long-term resident who has been issued with a residence card must file an application to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency for a renewal of the validity period of the residence card in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order during the period from three months prior to the expiration date of the validity period until the date on which the validity period expires (referred to in the following paragraph as "extension period") except when the validity period is stated as the expiration date of the period of stay in the residence card of the mid- to long-term resident.

A person who is expected to have difficulty in filing the application pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph within the extension period due to compelling reasons may file an application to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency for an extension of the validity period of the residence card prior to the extension period in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order.

The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the application is filed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs.

Where a mid- to long-term resident who has been issued with a residence card no longer has the residence card in their possession due to loss, theft, destruction or any other cause, they must file an application to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency for the reissuance of the residence card in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order within 14 days of the date of becoming aware of that fact (in case the mid-to long-term resident was out of Japan when they became aware of that fact, the first day they entered Japan upon return).

The provisions of Article 19-10, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the application was filed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

In case a residence card has been noticeably damaged or soiled or the record pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-4, paragraph (5) (hereinafter referred to as the "residence card electronic or magnetic record") has been damaged (hereinafter referred to in this paragraph as "cases of damage, etc."), the mid- to long-term resident, who was issued with the residence card, may apply to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency for the reissuance of the residence card in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order. The same applies to cases in which the mid- to long-term resident wishes to exchange the residence card in cases other than cases of damage, etc. (excluding cases in which no justifiable grounds are found).

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may order the mid- to long-term resident in possession of a residence card that has been noticeably damaged or soiled, or whose residence card electronic or magnetic record has been damaged, to apply for the reissuance of the residence card.

A mid- to long-term resident who has received an order pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must file an application to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency for reissuance of the residence card in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order within 14 days of the date of receiving the order.

The provisions of Article 19-10, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the application is filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph.

The residence card ceases to be effective in cases that fall under any of the following items:

when the mid- to long-term resident who was issued with a residence card is no longer a mid- to long-term resident;

when the validity period of the residence card has expired;

when the mid- to long-term resident who was issued with a residence card (except for persons who have been granted re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1)) has received confirmation of departure from an immigration inspector at the port of entry or departure from which they are to depart pursuant to the provisions of Article 25, paragraph (1);

when the mid- to long-term resident who was issued with a residence card and has been granted re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1) departed from Japan, and did not re-enter Japan within the validity period of the re-entry permission;

when the mid- to long-term resident who was issued with a residence card has been issued with a new residence card; or

when the mid- to long-term resident who was issued with a residence card has died.

If a residence card in the possession of a mid- to long-term resident who was issued with the residence card has ceased to be effective due to falling under item (i), item (ii) or item (iv) of the preceding Article, the mid- to long-term resident must return the residence card to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days from the day when the grounds arose.

The mid- to long-term resident who was issued a residence card must immediately return the residence card to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency, if the residence card in their possession has ceased to be effective due to falling under item (iii) or item (v) of the preceding Article.

If the mid- to long-term resident who was issued with a residence card comes to find their residence card after the residence card has ceased to be effective pursuant to the provisions of the preceding Article (excluding item (vi)), they must return the residence card to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of the date of finding it.

If the residence card has ceased to be effective pursuant to the provisions of item (vi) of the preceding Article, a relative or person living with the deceased mid- to long-term resident must return the residence card to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency within 14 days of the date the mid- to long-term resident died (if the relevant person came to find the residence card after the death of the foreign national, the date of finding it).

A mid- to long-term resident who is recorded in the Basic Resident Register may, when filing a notification or application set forth in any of the following items, file an application, together with the notification or application set forth in that item, with the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency in accordance with the procedures provided for by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Ministry of Justice Order, requesting that the issuance of the residence card pertaining to the notification or application set forth in that item be effected by the issuance of a specified residence card (meaning a residence card for which measures have been taken to add the functions of an Individual Number Card (meaning an Individual Number Card as prescribed in Article 2, paragraph (7) of the Number Use Act; the same applies in Article 19-15-4) in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the provisions of this Article and of Article 18-5 of the Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures (Act No. 27 of 2013; hereinafter referred to as the "Number Use Act" in this Article and Article 19-15-4); the same applies hereinafter):

a notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-10, paragraph (1), or an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-11, paragraph (1) or Article 19-13, paragraph (1) or (3); or

an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (2) (limited to an application pertaining to a change of status of residence (including the accompanying change of the period of stay) under which the person continues to fall under a mid- to long-term resident), or an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 21, paragraph (2) or Article 22, paragraph (1).

Beyond the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if a mid- to long-term resident is newly recorded in the Basic Resident Register, or changes their domicile within the area of one municipality, by the notification set forth in Article 19-7, paragraph (3) that is deemed to be the notification pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the same Article pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of that Article, the notification set forth in Article 19-8, paragraph (3) that is deemed to be the notification pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the same Article pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of that Article, or the notification set forth in Article 19-9, paragraph (3) that is deemed to be the notification pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the same Article pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of that Article, the mid- to long-term resident may, together with the notification, file an application with the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency through the mayor of the municipality of domicile (meaning the mayor of the municipality that maintains the Basic Resident Register in which the mid- to long-term resident filing the notification is recorded; the same applies hereinafter in this Article) in accordance with the procedures provided for by Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Ministry of Justice Order, requesting the issuance of a specified residence card through the mayor of the municipality of domicile.

A person filing an application pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph (limited to a person for whom the mayor of the municipality of domicile has taken the measures prescribed in Article 18-5, paragraph (6) of the Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures at the time of the application) who falls under the persons provided for by Cabinet Order as persons who need to receive the issuance of a specified residence card promptly may, together with the application, make a request to the effect that they wish to have the specified residence card sent to them by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.

If an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) has been filed (with regard to an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to item (ii)), limited to cases in which the Minister of Justice has decided to grant permission for the application set forth in that item), the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to prepare a specified residence card for the mid- to long-term resident, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

If an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) has been filed (limited to cases in which a notice pursuant to the provisions of Article 18-5, paragraph (4) of the Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures has been given), the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to effect the issuance of a residence card pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-10, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 19-11, paragraph (3) and Article 19-13, paragraph (4)) pertaining to the notification or application set forth in paragraph (1), item (i), and the issuance of a residence card pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (4), item (i) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 21, paragraph (4)) or Article 22, paragraph (3) pertaining to the application set forth in paragraph (1), item (ii), by having an immigration inspector issue the specified residence card for the mid- to long-term resident prepared pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

If an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) has been filed (limited to cases in which a notice pursuant to the provisions of Article 18-5, paragraph (4) of the Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures has been given), the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to issue the specified residence card for the mid- to long-term resident prepared pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4) through the mayor of the municipality of domicile.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the issuance of the specified residence card set forth in the preceding paragraph in cases in which a request pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) has been made together with an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) (limited to cases in which a notice pursuant to the provisions of Article 18-5, paragraph (4) of the Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures has been given) is effected by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency sending the specified residence card to the mid- to long-term resident, pursuant to the provisions of Cabinet Order.

In the cases referred to in the preceding three paragraphs, if a change has occurred in the particulars set forth in Article 19-4, paragraph (1), item (i) after the application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or (2) or the request pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) made together with the application pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph, or if the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency otherwise finds it inappropriate to issue a specified residence card to the foreign national, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may decide not to issue the specified residence card, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding three paragraphs.

A person who receives a specified residence card issued pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (6) must do so by personally appearing at the office of the municipality that maintains the Basic Resident Register in which the person is recorded. In this case, the return, pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, of the residence card in the person's possession that has ceased to be effective by falling under Article 19-14, item (v) upon the receipt of the specified residence card must be made by immediately handing over the residence card to the mayor of the municipality of domicile and returning it to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency through the mayor of the municipality of domicile.

The provisions of Article 61-8-3, paragraphs (2) and (3) apply mutatis mutandis to the receipt of a specified residence card pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph. In this case, "an act set forth in item (i) or (ii) of the preceding paragraph" in paragraph (2) of the same Article and "the acts set forth in paragraph (1), items (i) and (ii)" in paragraph (3) of the same Article are deemed to be replaced with "an act pursuant to the provisions of the first sentence of Article 19-15-2, paragraph (9)".

With regard to the application of the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article in cases in which the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency has issued a specified residence card to the mid- to long-term resident by sending it pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (7), "return" in that paragraph is replaced with "return by sending".

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 67-2, a foreign national who receives the issuance of a specified residence card pursuant to the provisions of paragraphs (5) through (7) based on an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to item (i)) or (2) or a request pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) made together with an application pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph must pay a fee in the amount specified by Cabinet Order, except in cases specified by Cabinet Order.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 19-5, paragraph (1), the validity period of the specified residence cards set forth in the following items is to last until the end of the day specified in the respective item in accordance with the categories set forth in those items:

a specified residence card pertaining to a notification or application set forth in paragraph (1), item (i) of the preceding Article or a notification prescribed in paragraph (2) of the same Article by a mid- to long-term resident set forth in Article 19-5, paragraph (1), items (i) and (ii) (excluding a person set forth in the following item):the tenth birthday after the date of the notification or application (if an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-11, paragraph (1) has been filed, the expiration date of the validity period of the old card); or

a specified residence card pertaining to a permanent resident who is under 18 years of age on the date of the notification or application set forth in paragraph (1), item (i) of the preceding Article or of the notification prescribed in paragraph (2) of the same Article (with regard to an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-11, paragraph (1), excluding a person for whom the expiration date of the validity period of the old card is their eighteenth birthday):the fifth birthday after the date of the notification or application (if an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-11, paragraph (1) has been filed, the expiration date of the validity period of the old card).

If an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article (limited to one pertaining to an application pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-11, paragraph (1)) has been filed and a new specified residence card is not issued by the time the expiration date of the validity period of the old card has passed, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 19-5, paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph, the validity period of the old card is to last until whichever of the following times comes earlier:

the time when the new specified residence card is issued; or

the time when the day on which 2 months have passed from the expiration date of the validity period of the old card ends.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency finds that it is difficult to issue a new specified residence card by the time set forth in item (ii) of the preceding paragraph, the Commissioner is to have an immigration inspector issue a new residence card to the mid- to long-term resident by that time and, when it becomes possible to issue the new specified residence card, have the immigration inspector issue that specified residence card.

With regard to a specified residence card, the invalidation of the Individual Number Card pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, paragraph (10) of the Number Use Act, as applied by deeming the specified residence card to be an Individual Number Card pursuant to the provisions of Article 18-5, paragraph (9) of the Number Use Act, does not affect its effect as a residence card.

The return of a specified residence card pursuant to the provisions of Article 17, paragraph (11) of the Number Use Act, as applied by deeming the specified residence card to be an Individual Number Card pursuant to the provisions of Article 18-5, paragraph (9) of the Number Use Act, or pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order based on the provisions of Article 47 of the Number Use Act is, notwithstanding those provisions, to be made by returning it to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, if the person returning the specified residence card continues to fall under a mid- to long-term resident, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency is to have an immigration inspector issue a new residence card to the mid- to long-term resident at the time of the return.

Beyond what is provided for in the preceding three Articles, the form of the specified residence card and other necessary particulars concerning specified residence cards are provided for by Order of the Digital Agency, Order of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and Ministry of Justice Order.

If any ground provided for in the following items occurs in accordance with the category of the status of residence set forth therein, a mid- to long resident who is residing in Japan with a status of residence set forth in the respective items must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to that effect and of the particulars provided for in the Ministry of Justice Order, in accordance with the procedures provided for in Ministry of Justice Order, within 14 days of the date of the occurrence of the ground:

"Professor", "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (i), sub-item (c) or item (ii) (limited to those engaging in the activities set forth in sub-item (c) of the same item) in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2)), "Business Manager," "Legal/Accounting Services," "Medical Services," "Instructor," Intra-company Transferee" "Technical Intern Training," "Student," or "Trainee":change in the name or location, or extinction of the public or private organization in Japan at which the activities set forth respectively in the right-hand column of the Appended Table I with regard to the status of residence are being carried out, or if leaving or being transferred from the organization;

"Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (i), sub-item (a) or (b) or item (ii) (limited to cases of engaging in the activities set forth in sub-item (a) or (b) of the same item) in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2)), "Researcher," "Engineer /Specialist in Humanities/ International Services," "Nursing Care," "Entertainer" (limited to cases of engaging in the activities pertaining to the status of residence based on a contract with a public or private organization in Japan), "Skilled Labor" or "Specified Skilled Worker":change in the name or location, or extinction of the public or private organization in Japan which is the other party to the contract (with regard to the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (i), sub-item (a) in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the same Table), the public or private organization in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice), or the termination of the contract or conclusion of a new contract with the organization; or

"Dependent" (limited to those pertaining to persons who are able to engage in daily activities as a spouse), "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" (limited to those pertaining to persons with the status of the spouse of a Japanese national) or "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" (limited to those pertaining to persons with the status of the spouse of a person residing with the status of residence of "Permanent Resident" or "Special Permanent Resident" (hereinafter referred to as "Permanent Resident, etc."):death of or divorce from the spouse.

A public or private organization in Japan which has accepted the mid- to long-term resident residing with a status of residence under the Appended Table I or any other organization as prescribed in Ministry of Justice Order (excluding employers who are required to submit a notification pursuant to the provisions of Article 28, paragraph (1) of the Act Relating to Comprehensive Promotion of the Organizations of Affiliation of Specified Skilled Workers and Labor Policies, and Improvement of the Employment Security and Working Life of Workers provided for in paragraph (1) of the following Article (Act No. 132 of 1966)) must endeavor to notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of the commencement and termination of the acceptance of the mid- to long-term resident, and other particulars related to the situation of acceptance pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

If a public or private organization in Japan (hereinafter referred to as "organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker" in this Subsection and Chapter VIII), which is the other party to the employment contract for specified skilled workers falls under any of the following items, it must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to that effect, and must submit a notification of the particulars specified in the Ministry of Justice Order in accordance with the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order:

if a change has been made to an employment contract for a specified skilled worker (excluding minor changes specified in Ministry of Justice Order), or an employment contract for a specified skilled worker has expired, or a new employment contract for a specified skilled worker has been concluded;

if a change has been made to a support plan for specified skilled workers (i) (excluding minor changes specified in Ministry of Justice Order);

if the contract set forth under Article 2-5, paragraph (5) has been concluded or changed (excluding minor changes specified in Ministry of Justice Order), or if the contract has expired;

beyond what is provided for in the preceding three items, if the case falls under the cases specified in Ministry of Justice Order.

The organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of the following particulars in accordance with the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order in addition to cases in which notification is made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

the name of the foreign national with the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence who was accepted (meaning the foreign national residing in Japan with the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence; the same applies hereinafter in this Subsection and Chapter VIII), and the content of the foreign national's activities and other particulars provided for by Ministry of Justice Order;

in cases of preparing a support plan for specified skilled workers (i) pursuant to the provisions of Article 2-5, paragraph (6), its implementation status (except if the registered support organization provided for in Article 19-27, paragraph (1) based on a contract has been entrusted with the implementation of all of the suitable support plans specified skilled workers (i));

beyond what is provided for in the preceding two items, the particulars specified by Ministry of Justice Order as necessary for the residence management of specified skilled workers.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency finds it necessary for securing the particulars set forth in the following items, the Commissioner may provide necessary guidance and advice to the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker:

that the employment contract for specified skilled workers conforms to the provisions of Article 2-5, paragraph (1) to paragraph (4);

the proper implementation of a suitable employment contract for specified skilled workers;

that the support plan for specified skilled workers (i) conforms to the provisions of Article 2-5, paragraph (6) and paragraph (7);

the proper implementation of a suitable support plan for specified skilled workers (i);

beyond what is provided for in each of the preceding items, that the acceptance of specified skilled worker by the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker complies with the laws and regulations relating to immigration and labor.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may order the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker or an officer or employee of the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker (hereinafter referred to as "officer or employee" in this paragraph) to submit or present books and records, request the appearance of the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker or its officer or employee, or have immigration officers or immigration control officers ask questions to the persons concerned, or enter the premises of the places of business of the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker or other places related to the acceptance of specified skilled workers to inspect their facilities, books, records, or other objects to the extent necessary to secure the particulars set forth in the items of the preceding Article.

In the cases of conducting questioning or on-site inspection pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the immigration inspector or immigration control officer must carry an identification card showing their official status and present it to the person concerned upon request.

The authority pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as authorization for the purpose of a criminal investigation.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency finds that the particulars set forth in the items of Article 19-19 have not been secured, the Commissioner may order the organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker to take measures necessary to improve the situation by a set deadline.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency has issued an order pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Commissioner must issue public notice to that effect.

The organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker must provide support for specified skilled workers (i) based on a suitable support plan for specified skilled workers (i).

The organization of affiliation of the specified skilled worker may entrust the implementation of all or part of the support plan for specified skilled worker (i) to another person based on a contract.

A person who has been entrusted to perform the work of implementation of all of the suitable support plans for specified skilled workers (i) (hereinafter referred to as "support work") based on a contract may register with the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency.

The registration set forth under the preceding paragraph loses its effect upon the passing of the period unless it is extended every five years.

A person who seeks to receive the registration set forth under paragraph (1) (including the extension of registration set forth under the preceding paragraph; the same applies hereinafter in this Subsection) must pay the fee specified by Cabinet Order in consideration of actual expenses.

A person who seeks to obtain the registration set forth under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article must submit a written application stating the particulars set forth in the following items to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order:

the name and address, and in the case of a corporation, the name of its representative;

the location of the business office that is to engage in the support work;

the content of the support work and its implementation method, and other particulars specified in Ministry of Justice Order concerning support work.

A document pledging that the person seeking to register as provided for in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article does not fall under any of the items of Article 19-26, paragraph (1) and other documents specified in Ministry of Justice Order must be attached to the written application set forth under the preceding paragraph.

If the written application for registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article has been filed, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must register the following particulars in the registered support organization registry except for cases of refusing registration pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the following Article:

particulars set forth under the items of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article;

date of registration and registration number;

If the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph has been made, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must notify the applicant to that effect without delay.

If a person who seeks to be registered as provided for under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) falls under any of the following items, or if there is a false statement with regard to the important particulars in the written application or attached documents set forth under Article 19-24, paragraph (1), or statement of an important fact is missing, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must refuse the registration:

a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment or a greater punishment, and for whom five years have not yet passed since the completion of the sentence or since the day on which the person ceased to be subject to the sentence;

a person who has been sentenced to a fine pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Control or Refugee Recognition Act or the Act on Proper Technical Intern Training and Protection of Technical Intern Trainees (Act No. 89 of 2016; hereinafter referred to as the "Technical Intern Training Act") or the provisions of other laws and regulations relating to immigration or labor (except for the provisions prescribed in item (iv)), which are specified by Cabinet Order or the provisions of an order based on these provisions, and for whom five years have not yet passed since the date of having paid the fine or having ceased to be liable to pay the fine;

a person who has been sentenced to a fine pursuant to the provisions of the Act on Prevention of Unjust Acts by Organized Crime Group Members (Act No. 77 of 1991) (excluding the provisions of Article 50 (limited to the part pertaining to item (ii)) and Article 52 of the same Act), or for having committed a crime under Article 204, Article 206, Article 208, Article 208-2, Article 222 or Article 247 of the Penal Code or a crime under the Act on Punishment of Physical Violence and Others, and for whom five years have not yet passed since the date of having paid the fine or having ceased to be liable to pay the fine;

a person who has been sentenced to a fine pursuant to the provisions of Article 208, Article 213-2 or Article 214, paragraph (1) of the Health Insurance Act (Act No. 70 of 1922), Article 156, Article 159 or Article 160, paragraph (1) of the Mariners Insurance Act (Act No. 73 of 1939), the first sentence of Article 51 or Article 54, paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to the provisions of the first sentence of Article 51 of the same Act) of the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act (Act No. 50 of 1947), Article 102, Article 103-2 or Article 104, paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to the provisions of Article 102 or Article 103-2 of the same Act) of the Employees' Pension Insurance Act (Act No. 115 of 1954), the first sentence of Article 46 or Article 48, paragraph (1) (limited to the part pertaining to the provisions of the second sentence of Article 46 of the same Act) of the Act on the Collection of Insurance Premiums of Labor Insurance (Act No. 84 of 1969) or Article 83 or Article 86 (limited to the part pertaining to the provisions of Article 83 of the same Act) of the Employment Insurance Act (Act No. 116 of 1974), and for whom five years have not yet passed from the date of having paid the fine or having ceased to be liable to pay the fine;

a person who is specified in Ministry of Justice Order as being unable to properly perform the support work due to a mental or physical disability;

a person who is subject to a decision on the commencement of bankruptcy proceedings and has not had their rights restored;

a person whose registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) has been canceled pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-32, paragraph (1), and for whom five years have not yet passed since the day of the cancellation;

in cases of a person whose registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) was canceled pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-32, paragraph (1), and that person is a corporation, an officer (meaning a member executing business, director, executive officer or any equivalent person, and including an advisor, consultant, or any other person, irrespective of the title, who is found to have at least the same amount of authority over the corporation as a member, director, executive officer, or any equivalent person; hereinafter the same applies in item (xii)) of the corporation at the time of the occurrence of the matter which became the cause of being subject to the cancellation, and for whom five years have not yet passed since the day of the cancellation;

a person who has committed a wrongful or significantly unjustifiable act in relation to the laws and regulations relating to immigration or labor within five years prior to the day of applying for the registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1);

an organized crime group member stipulated in Article 2, item (vi) of the Act on Prevention of Unjust Acts by Organized Crime Group Members (hereinafter referred to as "organized crime group member" in this item) or a person for whom five years have not passed since the person ceased to be an organized crime group member (hereinafter referred to as "crime group member or former crime group member" in item (xiii));

a minor who does not possess the same capacity to act as an adult in relation to business, and whose legal representative comes under any of the preceding items or following items:

a corporation whose officer falls under any of the preceding items;

a person whose business activities are controlled by a member of an organized crime group, etc.;

a person specified in Ministry of Justice Order as not having the necessary system in place to appropriately perform the support work.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency has refused the registration pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Commissioner must notify the applicant to that effect without delay.

If there has been a change in the particulars set forth in any of the items of Article 19-24, paragraph (1), the person who has obtained the registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "registered support organization") must notify the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to that effect in accordance with the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency has accepted a notification pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Commissioner must register the particulars in the registered support organization registry except in the cases in which the particulars pertaining to the notification fall under paragraph (1), item (xii) or item (xiv) of the preceding Article.

The provisions of Article 19-24, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the notification prescribed in the provisions of paragraph (1).

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must provide the registered support organization registry for public inspection.

If a registered support organization suspends or abolishes its support services, it must make a notification to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency to that effect pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

If a notification has been made pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph to the effect that the support services has been abolished, the registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) pertaining to the registered support organization loses its effect.

The registered support organization must perform the support services based on a suitable support plan for specified skilled workers (i) pertaining to the entrustment of the services.

The registered support organization must make a notification to the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of the implementation status of the support services and other particulars specified in Ministry of Justice Order in accordance with the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

If the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency finds it to be necessary to secure the proper operation of the support services of the registered support organization, the Commissioner may give necessary guidance and advice to the registered support organization.

If the registered support organization falls under any of the following items, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may cancel its registration:

_if it has come to fall under any of the items of Article 19-26, paragraph (1) (except for item (vii));

if it has violated the provisions of Article 19-27, paragraph (1), Article 19-29, paragraph (1) or Article 19-30, paragraph (2);

if it has violated the provisions of Article 19-30, paragraph (1);

if it has received the registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) through wrongful means;

if it has not submitted the report or materials pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-34, or has submitted a false report or materials.

The provisions of Article 19-26, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to cases in which the registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) has been canceled pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

If the registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) has ceased to be effective pursuant to the provisions of Article 19-23, paragraph (2) or Article 19-29, paragraph (2), or if the registration set forth under Article 19-23, paragraph (1) has been canceled pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must delete the registration.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may request the registered support organization to submit a report or materials on the status of its business to the extent necessary to ensure proper performance of the support services.

In addition to the particulars provided for in Article 19-22 to the preceding Article, the necessary particulars concerning the registered support organizations and support services are to be prescribed by Ministry of Justice Order.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must organize information (in the case of specified skilled workers, including information on the status of support for specified skilled workers (i); hereinafter referred to as "information on mid-to long-term residents" in this Article and paragraph (1) of the following Article) on the name, date of birth, sex, country of nationality, place of residence and organization of affiliation of the mid- to long-term resident and other information necessary for residency management, which was acquired pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and other laws and regulations, in order to continuously keep track of the family relationship, residence, state of activities and state of the organization of affiliation of mid- to long-term residents (including the status of support for specified skilled workers (i) (including the status of support for specified skilled workers (i) (including the status of entrustment to registered support organizations; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph) with regard to the specified skilled workers (limited to persons engaged in the activities set forth in item (i) of the right-hand column of "Specified Skilled Worker" of the Appended Table I (2)).

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must endeavor to keep the information on mid- to long-term residents accurate and up-to-date.

The Minister of Justice and the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency must not acquire nor retain the information on mid- to long-term residents beyond the minimum extent necessary to achieve the purpose of the residency management, and must take heed to protect the rights and interests of individuals when handling the information.

If it is necessary for continuously keeping track of information on mid- to long-term residents, the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency may have an officer inquire into facts with regard to the information which is to be notified pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection.

The immigration inspector or immigration control officer may require persons concerned to appear, ask them questions, or request them to present documents or electronic or magnetic records, if it is necessary for the inquiry set forth in the preceding paragraph.

The Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency, immigration inspector or immigration control officer may make inquiries to public offices or public or private organizations and require submission of reports on necessary information in relation to the inquiry set forth in paragraph (1).

A foreign national with a status of residence may have their status of residence (including the period of stay for the status; hereinafter the same applies from this paragraph to paragraph (3) and in the following Article) changed (in the case of a foreign national residing with the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (i), sub-items (a) through (c) in the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" of the Appended Table I (2)), including a change to a different public or private organization in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice, in the case of a foreign national residing with the "Specified Skilled Worker" status of residence including a change in the public or private organization in Japan designated by the Minister of Justice or specified industrial field, and in the case of a foreign national residing with the status of residence of "Designated Activities," including a change in the activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice regarding the person concerned).

A foreign national who seeks to have their status of residence changed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must apply to the Minister of Justice for the change of the status of residence in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order; provided, however, that if the foreign national wishes to have their status of residence changed to that of "Permanent Resident," they must comply with the procedures pursuant to the provisions of Article 22, paragraph (1).

If an application for a change of status of residence has been filed as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice may grant permission only if the Minister finds that there are reasonable grounds to grant the change of the status of residence based on the documents submitted by the foreign national; provided, however, that in the case of an application submitted by a person whose status of residence is "Temporary Visitor," permission is not to be granted unless the application is made based on special unavoidable circumstances.

If the Minister of Justice has decided to give permission pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister is to have the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency notify the foreign national to that effect.In this case, the notification is to be made by the Commissioner by having the immigration inspector take the measures specified in the following items in accordance with the categories set forth in the following items:

if the foreign national who has been granted permission continues to fall under a mid-to long-term resident or newly comes to fall under a mid- to long-term resident:to issue a residence card for the foreign national;

if the foreign national who has been granted permission possesses a passport in cases other than the cases set forth in the preceding item:to enter a new status of residence and period of stay in the passport; or

if the foreign national who has been granted permission does not possess a passport in cases other than the cases set forth in item (i):to issue the foreign national a certificate of status of residence that states the new status of residence and period of stay, or to enter the new status of residence and period of stay in the certificate of status of residence which has already been issued.

The permission of the Minister of Justice pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) becomes effective if the measures specified in each respective item of the preceding paragraph have been taken.

If an application pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) is filed (excluding an application filed by a foreign national who was granted permission for a period of stay of not more than 30 days), and the disposition for the application has not been made by the expiration date of the period of stay for the status of residence which the foreign national had at the time of the application, the foreign national may, even after the expiration date of the period of stay, continue to reside in Japan until the disposition is made or the day on which 2 months have passed from the date of the expiration of the previous period of stay, whichever comes first.

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the change to the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (ii) of the right-hand column under "Highly Skilled Professional" in the Appended Table I (2)) may not be granted, unless it is for a foreign national residing in Japan with the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (i), sub-items (a) through (c) in the right-hand column pertaining to "Highly Skilled Professional" in the same Table).

If the Minister of Justice receives an application from a foreign national for a change to the status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional" (limited to those pertaining to item (ii) in the right-hand column pertaining to "Highly Skilled Professional" in the Appended Table I (2)) pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article, the Minister may not grant permission for the change unless the foreign national conforms to the standards provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

The Minister of Justice is to consult with the heads of the related administrative organs in advance, when seeking to establish the Ministry of Justice Order set forth in the preceding paragraph.

A foreign national residing in Japan may, without changing their existing status of residence, have their period of stay extended.

A foreign national who seeks to have their period of stay extended pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph must file an application to the Minister of Justice for an extension of that period in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

If the application set forth in the preceding paragraph has been filed, the Minister of Justice may grant permission only if the Minister finds that there are reasonable grounds to grant the extension of the period of stay based on the documents submitted by the foreign national.

The provisions of Article 20, paragraph (4) and paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the permission granted pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, and the provisions of the same Article, paragraph (6) apply mutatis mutandis to an application filed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2), respectively. In these cases, "new status of residence and period of stay" in items (ii) and (iii) is deemed to be replaced with "status of residence and new period of stay".

A foreign national who seeks to change their status of residence to that of "Permanent Resident" must file an application to the Minister of Justice for permission for permanent residence by taking the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order.

If an application as set forth in the preceding paragraph has been filed, the Minister of Justice may grant permission only if the Minister finds that the foreign national conforms to all of the following items and that their permanent residence conforms to the interests of Japan; provided, however, that in the case of spouses or children of Japanese nationals, of residents with permanent residence status or of special permanent residents, they do not need to conform to any of the following items, and in the case of a person whose need for protection has been recognized by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or any other international organization and who meets the requirements provided for by Ministry of Justice Order, they do not need to conform to item (ii):

the foreign national's behavior is good; and

the foreign national has sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living.

If the Minister of Justice decides to grant the permission provided for in the preceding paragraph, the Minister is to have the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency notify the foreign national to that effect. In that case, this notification is to be made by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency by having an immigration officer issue a residence card to the foreign national pertaining to the permission.

The permission of the Minister of Justice pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (2) becomes effective when the residence card under the provisions of the preceding paragraph has been issued.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 2-2, paragraph (1), a person who has renounced Japanese nationality, or a foreign national who is to stay in Japan without following the procedures for landing provided in the preceding Chapter, through birth or for any other grounds, may continue to stay in Japan without acquiring a status of residence for a period not exceeding 60 days from the date of their renouncement of Japanese nationality, birth, or the day other grounds arose.

A foreign national prescribed by the preceding paragraph who seeks to stay in Japan beyond the period set forth in the same paragraph must file an application with the Minister of Justice for the acquisition of a status of residence within 30 days from the date of their renouncement of Japanese nationality, birth, or the day other grounds arose, pursuant to Ministry of Justice Order.

The provisions of the main clause of Article 20, paragraph (3), paragraph (4) and paragraph (5) apply mutatis mutandis to the procedures for filing an application to acquire a status of residence prescribed in the preceding paragraph (except for an application to acquire the status of residence of permanent resident).In this case, "change of a status of residence" in the main clause of paragraph (3) of the same Article is deemed to be replaced with "acquisition of a status of residence."

The provisions of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the procedures for an application to acquire the status of residence of permanent resident, out of the applications to acquire the status of residence as prescribed in paragraph (2).In this case, "seeks to change" is deemed to be replaced with "seeks to acquire"; and "change their status of residence to that," is deemed to be replaced with "acquire their status of residence," in paragraph (1) of the same Article.

The provisions of paragraphs (2) through (4) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to a foreign national who has been granted permission for landing for the temporary refuge prescribed in Article 18-2, paragraph (1), only if the foreign national is to reside under any status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of the Appended Table I or II.In this case, "within 30 days from the date of their renouncement of Japanese nationality, birth, or the day other grounds arose" in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article is deemed to be replaced with "within the period of landing pertaining to the permission for landing."

If any of the following facts are found regarding a foreign national residing in Japan under the status of residence set forth in the left-hand column of the Appended Table I or II (except for those who have been granted Recognition of Refugee Status as set forth in Article 61-2, paragraph (1) or recognition as a person eligible for complementary protection as set forth in paragraph (2) of the same Article), the Minister of Justice may revoke the foreign national's status of residence in accordance with the procedures provided for by Ministry of Justice Order:

the foreign national has been granted, by deceit or other wrongful means, a seal of verification for landing (including the recording of the prescribed information pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (4); hereinafter the same applies in the following item) or permission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III, Section 1 or 2, being considered that they do not fall under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1);

beyond what is provided for in the preceding item, the foreign national has been granted, by deceit or other wrongful means, a seal of verification for landing, etc. (a seal of verification for landing or permission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III, Section 1 or 2 (limited to those with a decision of status of residence) or permission pursuant to the provisions of this Section, and in the case two or more seals or permissions have been granted, the most recent one; hereinafter the same applies in this paragraph);

beyond what is provided for in the preceding two items, the foreign national has been granted a seal of verification for landing, etc. by submitting or presenting a document that contains a false entry or record (including a certificate of eligibility obtained by submitting or presenting a document or drawing, or an electronic or magnetic record, that contains a false entry or record, and a visa obtained for the passport by submitting or presenting a document or drawing, or an electronic or magnetic record, that contains a false entry or record), or a drawing or an electronic or magnetic record that contains a false entry or record;

the foreign national has been granted permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 50, paragraph (1) or Article 61-2-5, paragraph (1) due to deceit or other wrongful means (excluding cases of receiving permission or a seal of verification for landing, etc. pursuant to these provisions after receiving that permission);

the foreign national residing with a status of residence in the left-hand column of the Appended Table I has not engaged in the activities set forth in the right-hand column of the same Table in accordance with the status of residence, and is residing while engaging in or seeking to engage in other activities (except when there are legitimate grounds);

a person residing with a status of residence in the left-hand column of the Appended Table I who has been residing for three months or more (with regard to a person residing with 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)), six months) without engaging in the activities (except when there are legitimate grounds for residing without engaging in the activities) set forth in the right-hand column of the same Table in accordance with the status of residence;

a person residing with the status of residence of "Spouse or Child of Japanese National" (limited to those pertaining to persons with the status of the spouse of a Japanese national (except for foreign nationals residing simultaneously with the status of a child specially adopted by a Japanese national (meaning the child specially adopted by a Japanese national pursuant to the provisions of Article 817-2 of the Civil Code (Act No. 89 of 1896)); the same applies hereinafter) or born as the child of a Japanese national) or the status of residence of "Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident" (limited to those pertaining to persons with the status of a spouse of a permanent resident, etc. (except for foreign nationals residing simultaneously with the status of a person who was born in Japan as the child of a permanent resident, etc. and is continuing to reside in Japan)), who has been residing for six months or more without continuously engaging in activities as a person with the status of a spouse (except when there are legitimate grounds for residing without engaging in the activities);

a person who has newly become a mid- to long-term resident through receiving a seal of verification for landing or permission pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 or Section 2 of the preceding Chapter, or permission pursuant to the provisions of this Section, Article 50, paragraph (1) or Article 61-2-5, paragraph (1), who has not notified the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of the place of residence (except when there are legitimate grounds for not making a notification) within 90 days from the date of receiving the seal of verification for landing or permission;

a mid-to long-term resident who has not notified the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of their new place of residence within 90 days of leaving the previous place of residence, which had been previously notified to the Commissioner (except when there are legitimate grounds for not making a notification); or

a mid-to long-term resident who has notified the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency of a false place of residence.

If revoking the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice must have an immigration inspector that the Minister has designated hear the opinion of the foreign national.

The Minister of Justice is to serve the foreign national with a written notice of hearing of opinions in advance, stating the date and place of the hearing as well as the facts supporting the grounds for the revocation in having a designated immigration inspector hear the foreign national's opinions pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph; provided, however, that in cases of urgency, the Minister may have an immigration inspector or immigration control officer orally give notice of the particulars to be stated in the written notice.

The foreign national or their representative may make an appearance on the date set forth in the preceding paragraph to state opinions and submit evidence.

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2), if the foreign national fails to appear at the hearing set forth in the same paragraph without legitimate grounds, the Minister of Justice may revoke the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) without hearing the opinions.

The revocation of the status of residence is made by the Minister of Justice by serving the written notice of revocation of the status of residence.

If revoking the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (excluding items (i) and (ii)), the Minister of Justice is to designate a period necessary for the foreign national to depart from Japan not exceeding 30 days; provided, however, that this does not apply if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the foreign national will attempt to flee in cases of revocation of the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph (limited to those pertaining to item (v)).

If designating the period pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice may impose restrictions on the foreign national's residence and scope of activities, and impose other conditions found necessary pursuant to the provisions of Ministry of Justice Order.

The Minister of Justice must state the period designated pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of paragraph (7) and the conditions imposed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph in the written notice of revocation of the status of residence provided for in paragraph (6).

Where the Minister of Justice intends to revoke the status of residence of a foreign national provided for in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article due to having found the facts set forth in item (vii) of the same paragraph, the Minister must give consideration to granting an opportunity to file an application for a change of the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (2) or an application for permanent residence pursuant to the provisions of Article 22, paragraph (1).

A foreign national residing in Japan must carry their passport with them at all times (for a foreign national set forth in any of the following items, the document specified in the respective items; the same applies in paragraph (3) and Article 76, item (ii)); provided, however, that this does not apply if the foreign national carries the residence card as provided for in the following paragraph:

a person for whom a decision has been made on the status of residence of "Temporary Visitor" and the period of stay pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (5):registered user card;

a person who has been granted permission for provisional landing:provisional landing permit;

a person who has been granted landing permission for cruise ship tourists:landing permit for cruise ship tourists;

a person who has been granted landing permission for crew members:crew member's landing permit and passport or crew member's pocket-ledger;

a person who has been granted permission for emergency landing:emergency landing permit;

a person who has been granted landing permission due to distress:landing permit due to distress;

a person who has been granted landing permission for temporary refuge:landing permit for temporary refuge; or

a person under supervision measures as prescribed in Article 44-2, paragraph (7):notice of decision on supervision measures set forth in the same paragraph;

a person under supervision measures as prescribed in Article 52-2, paragraph (6):notice of decision on supervision measures set forth in the same paragraph;

a person released pursuant to the provisions of Article 52, paragraph (10):special release permit;

a person who has been granted provisional release:written permission for provisional release;

a person who has been granted permission for provisional stay:permit for provisional stay.

a person subject to departure restrictions prescribed in Article 63-2, paragraph (1):written designation of conditions for a person subject to departure restrictions set forth in the same paragraph.

A mid- to long-term resident is to receive a residence card which has been issued by the Commissioner of the Immigration Services Agency or returned by the head of municipalities, and must carry it with them at all times.

The foreign national set forth in the preceding two paragraphs must comply with a request for the presentation of their passport or residence card as set forth in these provisions (hereinafter referred to as "passport, etc." in this Article) (in the case of a residence card, including undergoing the measures necessary to confirm the contents of the residence card electronic or magnetic record) made by an immigration inspector, immigration control officer, police officer, coast guard officer or any other official of a state or local public entity as provided for by Ministry of Justice Order in executing their duties.

In requesting persons to present their passport, etc., the official prescribed in the preceding paragraph must carry with them an identification card showing their official status and present it upon request if asked to do so.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the main clause of paragraphs (1) and paragraph (2), a foreign national who is under 16 years of age is not required to carry their passport, etc. with them.

A foreign national who falls under any of the following items may be deported from Japan in accordance with the procedures provided for in the following Chapter, or may be made to depart from Japan by an order pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-2, paragraph (1):

a person who has entered Japan in violation of the provisions of Article 3;

a person who has landed in Japan without obtaining permission for landing, etc. from an immigration inspector;

a person whose status of residence has been revoked pursuant to the provisions of Article 22-4, paragraph (1) (limited to those provisions pertaining to item (i) or (ii));

a person whose status of residence has been revoked (except for persons designated a period of stay pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of paragraph (7) of Article 22-4) pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of the same Article (limited to those provisions pertaining to item (v) of the same paragraph);

a person who has been granted a designated period of stay pursuant to the provisions of the main clause of Article 22-4, paragraph (7) (including as applied mutatis mutandis to Article 61-2-11, paragraph (2)) and will stay in Japan beyond the designated period;

a person who, with the intent of helping another foreign national to illegally obtain a certificate, a seal of verification for landing (including the recording of the prescribed information pursuant to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph (4)) or permission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III, Section 1 or 2, permission for landing pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III, Section 4 or permission pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two sections, Article 50, paragraph (1) or Article 61-2-5, paragraph (1), has forged or altered a document or drawing, has prepared a false document or drawing, has illicitly created an electronic or magnetic record, has used, possessed or offered a forged or altered document or drawing or a false document or drawing, or has made an illicitly created electronic or magnetic record available for use in another person's processing of affairs or used it, or has incited or aided another to engage in any of those acts;

a person who the Minister of Justice finds as having reasonable grounds to be likely to commit a criminal act for the purpose of intimidating the general public and governments provided for in Article 1, paragraph (1) or a specified criminal act provided for in paragraph (2) of the same Article of the Act on Punishment of the Financing, etc. of Criminal Acts, etc. for the Purpose of Intimidation of the General Public and of Governments (Act No. 67 of 2002) (hereinafter to be referred to in this item as a "criminal act, etc. for the purpose of intimidating the general public and governments"), to commit a preliminary act of a criminal act, etc. for the purpose of intimidating the general public and governments, or likely to conduct an act that facilitates a criminal act, etc. for the purpose of intimidating the general public and governments;

a person whose entry into Japan is required to be prevented pursuant to an international agreement;

a person who has engaged in any of the acts set forth in the following sub-items (a) through (c), or has incited or aided another person to engage in any of the acts set forth therein:

having foreign nationals engage in illegal work (activities which violate the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) or Article 61-2-7, paragraph (1), or activities conducted by persons set forth in Article 70, paragraph (1), items (i), (ii), (iii) through (iii)-3, (v), (vii) through (vii)-3 or from (viii)-2 through (viii)-4 (excluding activities conducted with permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 44-5, paragraph (1)), and for which the person is to receive remuneration or other income; the same applies hereinafter) in relation to business activities;

placing a foreign national under their control for the purpose of having the foreign national engage in illegal work;

an act of forcing a foreign national to engage in illegal work as a business or arranging an act set forth in the sub-item (b) as a business;

a person who has engaged in any of the acts set forth in the following sub-items (a) through (e), or has incited or aided another person to engage in any of the acts set forth therein:

for the purpose of uttering or of causing another person's processing of affairs to be erroneous, forging, altering or illicitly creating a residence card or residence card electronic or magnetic record (hereinafter referred to as a "residence card, etc." in this item) or a special permanent resident certificate prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1) of the Special Act or a special permanent resident certificate electronic or magnetic record prescribed in Article 14, paragraph (1) of the Special Act (referred to simply as a "special permanent resident certificate electronic or magnetic record" in sub-item (e)) (hereinafter referred to as a "special permanent resident certificate, etc." in this item), or providing, receiving, possessing or keeping a forged, altered or illicitly created residence card, etc. or special permanent resident certificate, etc.;

providing, receiving or possessing a residence card or special permanent resident certificate in another person's name, or providing one's own residence card, for the purpose of uttering;

using, or making available for use in another person's processing of affairs, a residence card, etc. or special permanent resident certificate, etc. which has been forged, altered or illicitly created, or using a residence card or special permanent resident certificate in another person's name;

preparing instruments or materials for the purpose of using them in an act of forging, altering or illicitly creating a residence card, etc. or special permanent resident certificate, etc.; or

for the purpose set forth in sub-item (d), acquiring or providing the information of a residence card electronic or magnetic record or special permanent resident certificate electronic or magnetic record (hereinafter referred to as a "residence card electronic or magnetic record, etc." in this sub-item), or keeping the information of a residence card electronic or magnetic record, etc. that has been illicitly acquired.

a foreign national residing in Japan (excluding those who were granted permission for provisional landing, permission for landing at a port of call, landing permission for cruise ship tourists, permission for landing in transit, landing permission for crew members, or landing permission due to distress) who falls under any of the following sub-items (a) through (o):

a person who is clearly found to be exclusively engaged in activities of managing a business involving income or activities for which they receive remuneration in violation of the provisions of Article 19, paragraph (1) (except for those under the control of another person due to human trafficking);

a person who has stayed in Japan beyond the authorized period of stay (including the period for which a person may reside in Japan pursuant to the provisions of Article 20, paragraph (6); the same applies in Article 26, paragraph (1) and Article 26-2, paragraph (2) (including as applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to the provisions of Article 26-3, paragraph (2))) without obtaining a renewal or change of period of stay;

a person who has committed human trafficking or has incited or aided another person to commit human trafficking;

a person who has been punished for violation of the provisions of paragraph (1) (except for item (vi)) through paragraph (3) of Article 23 of the Passport Act (Act No. 267 of 1951);

a person who has been punished for violation of the provisions of Articles 74 through 74-6-3, or 74-8;

a person who has been sentenced to imprisonment for violation of the provisions of Article 73;

a person who is a juvenile as defined by the Juvenile Act (Act No. 168 of 1948) and who was sentenced on or after November 1, 1951, to imprisonment for a period exceeding 3 years;

a person who was convicted on or after November 1, 1951, for violation of provisions of the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, the Act on Regulation of Cannabis Cultivation (Act No. 124 of 1948), the Opium Control Act, the Stimulants Control Act, the Act on Special Provisions for the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Act, etc. and Other Particulars for the Prevention of Activities Encouraging Illicit Conduct and Other Activities Involving Controlled Substances through International Cooperation (Act No. 94 of 1991) or Part II, Chapter XIV of the Penal Code;

in addition to the persons set forth in sub-items (d) through (h), a person who was sentenced on or after November 1, 1951, to imprisonment for life or for a period exceeding 1 year; provided, however, that this excludes persons for whom the entire sentence was subject to suspended execution, or persons for whom part of the sentence was subject to suspended execution, and the period of the sentence that was not subject to suspended execution was not more than one year;

a person who engages in prostitution, or intermediation or solicitation of prostitution, or provision of a place for prostitution, or any other business directly connected to prostitution (except for those under the control of another person due to human trafficking).

a person who has instigated, incited, or aided the following acts:

another foreign national illegally entering or landing in Japan; or