Changes by (Act No. 32 of 2026)
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.
Changes by (Act No. 32 of 2026)
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.
Changes by (Act No. 32 of 2026)
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.
Read this with the articles around it
foreign national
「外国人」
Anyone who does not hold Japanese nationality.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (i)· applies throughout the law
vessels, etc.machine translation
「船舶等」
Ships and aircraft.
Short name set inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (ii)
carrier
「運送業者」
A business that carries people or goods by ship or aircraft between Japan and places outside Japan.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (ix)· applies throughout the law
immigration inspector
「入国審査官」
The immigration official provided for in Article 61-3, who examines people landing in Japan and cases for deportation, among other duties.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (x)· applies throughout the law
electronic or magnetic meansmachine translation
「電磁的方式」
Electronic, magnetic or any other form that people cannot perceive directly with their senses.
Defined inArticle 2, paragraph (1), item (xvii)
personal identification informationmachine translation
「個人識別情報」
Fingerprints, a photograph or other information that can identify an individual, as specified by Ministry of Justice Order (法務省令).
Defined inArticle 6, paragraph (3)