Part II
Major Policies Related to
Immigration
Control andトビラ
Residency Management
Administration
第１部 出入国在留管理をめぐる近年の状況

Chapter 1

Response to Evacuees from Ukraine

Chapter 2

Measures to Deal with COVID-19 in the ISA

Chapter 3

Response to the Case of the Death of a Detainee at the
Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination
at the Port of Entry

Chapter 5

Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and
Residency Management Administration

Chapter 6

The System of Specified Skilled Worker

Chapter 7

The Status of Operation of the Technical Intern Training
Program

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

Chapter 11

Responses to International Society and International Situations

Chapter 12

Public Relations Activities

Part II

Chapter 1

Response to Evacuees from Ukraine

Chapter 1 Response to Evacuees

from Ukraine

Section 1 Acceptance of Evacuees from Ukraine
In February 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many Ukrainian citizens were forced
to flee to neighboring countries. In these circumstances, the Prime Minister of Japan announced
on March 2 that Japan would accept Ukrainian citizens who had evacuated from Ukraine to third
countries.
On March 16, the “Ukrainian Evacuees Countermeasures Liaison and Coordination Panel”
chaired by the Chief Cabinet Secretary was established in order to provide timely and appropriate assistance to evacuees coming to Japan from Ukraine. In addition, with this panel as thecontrol tower, the Task Force for Supporting Ukrainian Evacuees was established to discuss how
support should be operated, such as matching evacuees from Ukraine with recipients in cooperation with relevant ministries and agencies, so that evacuees can stay in Japan with peace of mind.
To implement this support, on March 25, the Cabinet decided to use a contingency of 520 million
yen and on June 28, 1.94 billion yen for expenses related to the project to support the acceptanceof evacuees from Ukraine.
Furthermore, in order to accurately grasp the local needs in Poland, which had received approximately 2.6 million evacuees from Ukraine at the time and actively provided assistance, theMinister of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Minister of Justice visited Poland for five days from
April 1, held meetings with dignitaries of the Polish government, and inspected the status of theacceptance of evacuees in Poland, returning to Japan on a government plane with 20 Ukrainianevacuees on board.
Since then, from a humanitarian perspective, the ISA has secured a certain number of seatson commercial flights for evacuees from Ukraine who desperately want to evacuate to Japan but
find it difficult to secure means of travel on their own, providing travel support for them to cometo Japan.

Deputy Minister of Justice ona business trip to Poland(visiting a facility for evacuees)

78Chapter 1

Response to Evacuees from Ukraine

Part II

Section 2 Support for Evacuees from Ukraine
１

Expansion of consultation services and placement of support staff for
accepting evacuees from Ukraine at Immigration Services Agency (ISA) offices
The Foreign Residents Support Center's "FRESC Help Desk" is responding to telephone
consultations regarding evacuees from Ukraine in response to the current situation in
Ukraine. On June 1, the ISA set up the “evacuees from Ukraine Help Desk” (open daily
from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm) exclusively for such consultations. The help desk offers services in
Ukrainian, Russian, English, and Japanese.
In addition, the Regional Immigration Services Bureaus, District Immigration Services
Office, and branch offices have also assigned “Ukrainian Evacuees Reception Support Staff” torespond to consultations from evacuees from Ukraine and local governments.

２ Prompt change of status of residence to receive administrative services, etc.
Regarding permission for change in the status of residence application when Ukrainians
residing in Japan wishes to stay in Japan due to the situation in Ukraine, or when evacuees
from Ukraine who have entered Japan with the status of residence of “Temporary Visitor”
for the purpose of evacuation want to stay in Japan, it is now possible for evacuees from
Ukraine to promptly receive residence cards and register as residents by promptly permitting to change their status of residence to “Designated Activities”, then receive administrative services from local governments.

３

Issuance of certificates of Evacuees from Ukraine
The ISA has issued certificates to evacuees from Ukraine to facilitate procedures, so that
evacuees from Ukraine can present these certificates together with identification documents
such as residence cards to receive support from local governments, perform administrative
procedures, or open accounts at financial institutions.

Certificates of Evacuees from Ukraine(in Japanese)79Part II

Chapter 1

４

Response to Evacuees from Ukraine

Establishment of Ukrainian Evacuees support website
On May 9, the ISA opened the “Ukrainian Evacuees Support Site”, in order for evacuees
from Ukraine to receive the goods (clothes, furniture, food, communication equipment, etc.)
and services (interpretation, transportation, administrative procedure assistance, mental
care, etc.) that Japanese companies and other organizations have offered to support them.

５

Providing information to evacuees from Ukraine and local governments
The ISA has repeatedly sent guidebooks translated into Ukrainian to evacuees from
Ukraine, provided information about the FRESC Help Desk, various administrative procedures, Japanese language education, employment support, and informed local governments ofthe details of support and information provided to evacuees from Ukraine.
On May 14, the “Ukrainian Evacuees Information Registration Site” was opened topromptly provide support information from national and local governments.

Ukrainian Evacuees Information Registration Site

６Support for evacuees without a guarantor
For evacuees from Ukraine who have no guarantors in Japan, the ISA provided temporary
accommodation facilities rented by the national government for temporary residence, andsupported their living expenses, medical expenses, etc.
Furthermore, Japanese language classes were held, crime prevention seminars were heldby the police, and employment support briefings were held by the Labor Bureau.
Also, based on the individual needs of evacuees, the ISA conducted matching with local
governments and private organizations that had offered support.

80

Chapter 2

Measures to Deal with COVID-19 in the ISAPart II

Chapter 2 Measures to Deal with

COVID-19 in the ISA

Section 1 Countermeasures at the border
Regarding COVID-19 that has spread globally since December 2019, border measures need to
be enhanced in order to prevent infected persons from entering Japan and the virus from spreading in Japan.
Based on the multiple Cabinet approvals and announcements by the Novel Coronavirus
Response Headquarters since January 31, 2020, the ISA has implemented appropriate bordermeasures such as refusing, landing of foreign nationals who have stayed in the regions where
numerous cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed within 14 days before landing or who haveboarded passenger ships in which cases of COVID-19 may have occurred, pursuant to Article
5, paragraph (1), item (xiv) of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act unless in
exceptional circumstances for the time being.
The ISA has cooperated in quarantine procedures since before the pandemic by encouraging
travelers arriving in Japan to go back to the quarantine procedures if such travelers claim thatthey do not feel well at the immigration examination booth regardless of nationality. In addition
to this cooperation, the ISA has enhanced its cooperative relationship with quarantine stations
to develop a system in which the Quarantine Information Office, Ministry of Health, Labour, andWelfare, and the ISA double-check whether travelers have traveled to regions from which entry
is denied and works in close cooperation with the relevant organizations in order to implement
appropriate border measures.
Moreover, the ISA installs acrylic plates and other equipment to prevent droplet infection in
the examination spaces, etc., and provides disinfectant near devices used to obtain personal identification information (including Bio Carts and Automated Gates) and guides travelers to disinfecttheir hands after using the devices. In addition, staff members are required to wear personal
protective equipment such as face masks, gloves and goggles at all times and taught how to wear
and remove personal protective equipment and instructed to take measures for installing disposal
boxes for used personal protective equipment in an effort to prevent infection.

Countermeasures against COVID-19

81

Part II

Chapter 2

Measures to Deal with COVID-19 in the ISA

Section 2 Procedures for Residence
１

Foreign Nationals staying in JapanFor foreign nationals who had difficulty returning to their home countries due to the
spread of COVID-19 reducing the number of flights to and from Japan, the ISA allowed
their change of status of residence to “Designated Activities” which allowed them to work.
The ISA also took measures such as giving permission to engage in activity other than that
permitted under status of residence to the foreign national who had a status of residence
such as “Temporary Visitor” that normally did not allow to work, but found it difficult toreturn to their home country, and had difficulty maintaining their livelihood in Japan. Also,
since April 20, 2020, in order to maintain employment in Japan of technical intern trainees,
specified skilled workers, etc. who were no longer able to continue technical intern trainings
or dismissed due to COVID-19, the ISA has supported re-employment in specified industrial
fields while granting the status of residence of “Designated Activities” under certain requirements for providing support for foreign nationals to maintain employment in Japan. Since
September 7, 2020, the ISA has extended eligibility for these measures to those technicalintern trainees who have completed their scheduled technical intern training but have difficulty getting a return flight to their home country or returning to their residence in theirhome country due to closure of airports and restrictions on movement caused by COVID-19.
Currently, the COVID-19 pandemic is causing continued suspension of regular flights anddrastic reduction of flights. In light of this situation, since March 26, 2021, it was decided thatwhen a foreign national whose period of stay on the status of residence of “Designated Activities” has reached 1 year applies to extend their period of stay, their continued residence
will be allowed, only when it is deemed difficult for them to return to their home country due
to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In light of the status of COVID-19 infections in Japan and overseas, and the increasing
number of foreigners leaving Japan, the ISA has reviewed these measures as of May 31, 2022
and are encouraging them to return to their home countries.

２

Foreign Nationals Planning to Enter Japan
With the COVID-19 pandemic, in consideration of foreign nationals whose timing to enter
Japan has been delayed due to the decreased number of flights to Japan, we are taking measures to extend the valid period for certificate of eligibility required for entry procedures.
For former permanent resident foreign nationals who could not re-enter Japan within thevalid period of their re-entry permits (including special re-entry permits), with consideration
for the circumstances they are in, their status of residence of “Permanent Resident” will beacknowledged when they re-enter Japan in order to enable prompt immigration procedures.
In the future, former permanent residents who have returned to Japan will be able to stayin Japan as permanent residents from their re-entry.

82

Chapter 2

Measures to Deal with COVID-19 in the ISAPart II

Section 3 Support for foreign residents
１

Providing information through “A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals”
The ISA has created webpages in 14 languages(*) on “A Daily Life Support Portal for
Foreign Nationals” on the ISA website, in order to provide information on daily life support
offered by various ministries and agencies to foreign residents, as well as important warnings to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Information is aggregated and posted on thesewebpages, to better provide information to foreign residents.

２

Extraordinary measures when making a special response toprovide information on COVID-19 at one-stop consulting counters
When making a special response to provide information and offer consultation about
COVID-19 at one-stop consulting counters established and operated by local governments,
extraordinary measures have been taken to allow the maximum amount of subsidies for
preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals to be set twice asmuch as the subsidy limit along with operating costs (see Chapter 8 Section 3 for details on
the one-stop consulting counters and subsidies for preparations for an environment for theacceptance of foreign nationals).

３

Consultation at the FRESC Help DeskIn September 2020, the FRESC Help Desk set up to the Foreign Residents Support Center(FRESC) started a free multi-lingual telephone consultation service for foreign nationals who
are facing difficulties with daily life due to COVID-19, such as losing their jobs.
It offers consultations to foreign nationals by cooperating with organizations at FRESC, as
necessary.

４

Multilingual COVID-19 Vaccination Support
In October 2021, the ISA established the FRESC Vaccination Reservation Help Line at
FRESC, in order to offer multilingual consultation and provide information on documents
necessary for making vaccination reservations and issuing vaccination voucher at cooperating medical institutions (in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka). The ISA also provided multilingualinterpreter support at vaccination centers of cooperating medical institution.

(*) Japanese (including plain Japanese), English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Filipino,Thai, Nepali, Khmer (Cambodia), Burmese (Myanmar language), and Mongolian

83

Part II

Chapter 2

Measures to Deal with COVID-19 in the ISA

Guidance on vaccination atcooperating medical institutions

Section 4 COVID-19 Countermeasures at
Immigration Facilities
１ Immigration Facilities Task Force for COVID-19 Countermeasures
Using the expertise of the MOJ Crisis Management Expert Meeting, the ISA has taken
measures regarding crisis management in the ISA, which faces concerns about outbreaks ofinfectious diseases. On April 17, 2020, the ISA also established the Immigration Facilities for
COVID-19 Countermeasures (hereinafter, “TF”) under the direction of said Committee, inorder to prepare new guidelines for COVID-19 countermeasures accounting for the characteristics of the ISA.
TF consists of four experts and six staff members (associate commissioner level, director
level), and it is chaired by the Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Justice, with four meetings
held between April 24, 2020 and June 24, 2021. Most recently, the 5th meeting of the TF washeld (conduct the approval of the document by turns) on February 10, 2022.

２ Manual for measures against COVID-19 infection at Immigration Facilities
ISA facilities include detention facilities, which are closed spaces, as well as immigration offices and residence application counters, where applicants and staff come into direct contact.
Once there is a case of COVID-19, it can have a serious impact on the health of not only theinfected person, but many other people as well, and even the performance of immigration
services administration work.
In order for staff working at immigration facilities to share these goals...
〇 Prevent infection of staff, as well as infection of all people involved in facilities, including
detainees and applicants.
〇 Minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the unlikely event there is a case.

84

Chapter 2

Measures to Deal with COVID-19 in the ISAPart II...and work together to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the ISA prepared a manual formeasures against COVID-19 infection at immigration facilities (hereinafter referred to as“the Manual”). The first edition of the Manual was published on May 1, 2020, and the second
edition of the manual was published on July 16, 2020.
As mentioned above, the ISA has worked to prevent the transmission of COVID-19
according to the Manual. However, there were cases of COVID-19 at some agency offices,and there were also outbreaks in November 2020 and February 2021. Based on the lessons
learned from these outbreaks, the third edition of the Manual was published on February 24,
2021.
Later, it was widely reported that variant strains are replacing the alpha strain. The ISA
recognized the urgent need to establish more effective countermeasures, and so publishedthe 4th edition of the Manual on July 20, 2021.
In addition, the ISA issued the 5th edition of this manual on February 10, 2022, in order to
respond flexibly to successive revisions to government policy, such as the handling of close
contact with new strains of COVID-19.

85

Part II

Chapter 3 Response to the Case of the Death of a Detainee at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Chapter 3 Response to the Case of

the Death of a Detaineeat the Nagoya Regional
Immigration Services
BureauSection 1 Establishment of project teamIn response to the case of the death of a detainee that occurred at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau in March 2021, the ISA released the “Investigation Report on the Case of
the Death of a Detainee at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau on March 6, 2021”
on August 10, 2021. The report presents 12 improvement measures to prevent such incidents
from recurring, and a project team was established at the ISA on the same day to steadily implement these improvement measures.
Led by this project team, the ISA formulated the “Mission and Principles of ISA Staff”, compiled proposals by an Advisory panel for strengthening the ISA’s medical system, and formulated
new operating guidelines related to judgment of provisional release of sick detainees, as part ofefforts made to reform the awareness and organization of immigration control and residency
management administration based on the above improvement measures.

Section 2 Staff Awareness Reform
１ Formulation of the “Mission and Principles of the Officials at the ISA of Japan”
The “Mission and Principles of ISA Staff” was formulated on January 14, 2022, by compiling theopinions of all Regional Immigration Services Bureaus staff and collecting opinions from external
experts in order to change the awareness of the ISA’s staff and to develop it by themselves. At
opinion exchange meeting held with ISA staff and on-site staff, young staff and senior staff alikeparticipated in frank discussions and the staff's opinions were widely adopted.

２ Outline of the “Mission and Principles of the Officials at the ISA of Japan”
This shows the mission and principles that the ISA staff should fulfill, to ensure that all staff
involved in immigration control and residency management administration do not lose sight ofthe mission entrusted to them by the people of Japan and carry out their duties with confidence
and pride, and to ensure that immigration control and residency management administration are
carried out properly and we respond to the trust and expectations of the people (reference
74).

86

Chapter 3 Response to the Case of the Death of a Detainee at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Reference 74

Part II

Mission and Principles of the Officials at the ISA of Japan

Mission and Principles of the Officials
at the Immigration Services Agency of Japan
The "Mission and Principles of the Officials at the Immigration Services Agency of Japan" outlined here are to be observed by all
officials at the Immigration Services Agency of Japan engaged in immigration control and residency management, so that they may
perform their duties with confidence and pride without losing sight of the mission entrusted to them by the people of Japan, and sothat immigration control and residency management may be conducted properly and meet the trust and expectations of the peopleof Japan.
【 M i s s i o n o f t h e O f f i c i a l s a t t h e I m m i g r a t io n S e r v i c e s A g e n c y o f J a p a n 】
In the current global society, immigration control and residency management, which is the right of sovereign nations, is becoming
increasingly important. In this respect, the basic function of immigration control and residency management is, while respecting thehuman rights of all people, to ensure the just management of the arrival and departure of all persons entering or leaving Japan aswell as the residence of all foreign nationals residing in Japan, and, Japan being a signatory to the Convention Relating to the Status
of Refugees, to protect refugees, and furthermore, to provide general coordination relating to improving the circumstances for theacceptance of foreign nationals. In Japan, the Immigration Services Agency, which is responsible for the aforementioned roles, iscommitted to ensuring smooth, strict, and appropriate immigration and residency management by actively welcoming foreign
nationals who abide by the rules, while preventing foreign nationals who threaten the safety and well-being of Japan from entering
Japan or staying in Japan, and ensuring that such foreign nationals are removed from Japan. Furthermore, in cooperation with othercountries and international organizations, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan aims to provide prompt and reliable protection
to those who truly need asylum. Additionally, it works with related organizations to realize a harmonious society of coexistence
where all Japanese citizens and foreign nationals accepted into Japanese society can live together as good neighbors. To contributeto the realization of an orderly society and to the sound development of Japan's economy and society by realizing these goals is themission of Japan's immigration control and residency management, and so it is the mission of the officials at the Immigration
Services Agency of Japan, aspiring to an honorable position in the international community.
【 Pr i n c i p l e s of t h e O ffi c i a l s a t t h e I m m i g r a t i on S e r vi c e s Ag e n c y o f J a p a n 】
All personnel engaged in immigration control and residency management must always bear in mind that as government officials
they are servants of the people as a whole, must be aware that they have a mission to contribute to the realization of an orderly andharmonious society, and that they have to live up to the trust of the people who have placed such an important mission in theirhands. To this end, they must maintain high professional ethics, strive for continuous self improvement, always ask themselves
whether their own decisions are truly in the best interests of society as a whole, make fair judgments with confidence and pride,and perform their duties with sincerity and integrity, paying particular attention to the following points.

ｚ

1 Taking pride in being a specialist in immigration control and residency management To be aware of oneself as a specialist in
immigration control and residency management, to read laws and regulations intensively, to cultivate related knowledge,
and to comply with required standards.
2 Enhancing the ability to perform duties with a broad perspective To strive to keep abreast of social trends including international
affairs on a regular basis, to foster sophistication and common sense through training and diverse social activities, to cultivate awide-ranging perspective and the ability to think flexibly, and to utilize these skills in the performance of duties.
3 Having a sense of fairness and the need for improvement To always be aware of whether duties are being performed impartiallyand to never hesitate to express opinions on areas that need improvement or to revise matters by oneself.
4 Respecting human rights and dignity and retaining politenessTo respect human rights and dignity and, when interacting with other parties in any kind of setting, to be kind and polite while
giving due consideration to the other party’s position, culture, and customs.
5 Understanding the feelings of others while maintaining composure
To understand the feelings of others while always responding resolutely without losing one's calm and without letting one's
emotions interfere.
6 Cultivating the capability of communication
To listen to a variety of opinions from both domestic and foreign sources, to strive to make judgments that are not bound by
precedent and that reflect the common sense of the public at large, to provide all explanations necessary to gain the understandingof concerned parties and all of society, and to proactively communicate information.
7 Building good rapport with a variety of related parties and organizations
Being aware that proper immigration control and residency management cannot be realized without the understanding andcooperation of related parties and organizations, to work to build good relationships with them, both domestic and foreign as well as
public and private.
8 Creating an open organizational culture
To strive to develop an open organizational culture in which all officials respect each other, freely express their opinions, andpromptly consult with and report to their colleagues and superiors on matters that are difficult for them to judge for themselves andwhere matters are addressed in a unified manner without bureaucratic sectionalism.

87

Part II

Chapter 3 Response to the Case of the Death of a Detainee at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Section 3 Strengthening the ISA’s medical system
１ Outline of the “Advisory Panel on Enhancing the Medical System at ISA Detention Facilities”
Among the improvement measures pointed out in the Investigation Report, for “deliberate andsteady strengthening of the medical system based on the nature of detention facilities”, in October 2021, the ISA held the “Advisory Panel on Enhancing the Medical System at ISA Detention
Facilities”, consisting of medical professionals, academic experts, and legal professionals.
After that, in the Advisory Panel, hearings were conducted with relevant parties and on-site
inspections, and efforts were made to understand the actual situation at the site, such as by conducting questionnaires for medical professionals working at detention facilities, and discussions
were held on measures to strengthen the medical system in detention facilities.
The results of the review were compiled in a report titled “Recommendations for Enhancing
the Medical System at Immigration Detention Facilities,” which was submitted to the Commissioner of the ISA on February 28, 2022 and reported to the Minister of Justice.

２

Contents of “Recommendations for Enhancing the Medical System at Immigration Detention Facilities”

Recommendations include,・Strengthening the internal medical system, such as building a working system with multiple
doctors, mainly full-time doctors
・Construction and strengthening of a cooperation system with external medical institutions,such as holding conferences with regional medical institutions
・Maintenance and renewal of necessary medical equipment
・Holding medical conferences, cooperation between clinics of each agency office, and taking
other measures to improve medical care provision
These are some of the multi-layered measures indicated to strengthen the medical system indetention facilities.
Going forward, the ISA will steadily implement the recommendations of the Advisory Paneland build a follow-up system for that purpose.

Section 4 Efforts for other improvement measures
As part of organizational and operational reforms at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services
Bureau, the ISA increased the number of part-time doctors and built an information sharing system for the health conditions of detainees. Also, in order to more accurately grasp the physicalconditions of detainees, translation equipment was installed in all agency offices with detention
facilities, and instructions were given to interpreters and the use of translation equipment, and an
emergency response manual was formulated for when an emergency response incident occurs.
In addition, operational reforms were made based on the improvement measures indicated in
the above report, such as the formulation of new operating guidelines related to the judgmentof provisional release of sick detainees, as well as the thorough dissemination of measures forappropriate responses to domestic violence cases (reference 75).
The ISA will continue to follow up on all improvement measures.

88Chapter 3

Response to the Case of the Death of a Detainee at the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau

Reference 75

Part II

Implementation Situation of improvement measure,PSOHPHQWDWLRQ6WDWXVRI,PSURYHPHQW0HDVXUHVImprovement measures in the investigation report

Implementation Status

1

Planning the “Mission and Principles of Immigration Control and
Residency Management” (tentative name)

Gathering opinions from all staff and outside experts to plan “Mission andPrinciples of Immigration Services Agency (ISA) Staff”

2

Organizational and operational reforms at the Nagoya Bureau

Increasing the number of part-time doctors, enhancing the guard duty system,
reviewing and enforcing information sharing regarding the health status ofdetainees.

3

Use of interpreters, etc. to more accurately understand the physicalcondition of detainees

Giving instructions to use an interpreter or translation equipment when giving
medical care, as a rule (Translation equipment has been deployed in all ISA
offices (17 offices) with detention facilities)

4

Deliberate and steady enhancement of medical systems based on thenature of detention facilities

Compiling proposals at advisory panels of external experts consisting of doctors,
academic experts, and lawyers

5

Development of emergency response manuals and enhancement oftraining

Collecting opinions of on-site staff and medical staff at each ISA office andcreating an emergency response manual for detainees

6

Inspection, review, and enforcement of the implementation status of
past recurrence prevention measures

After inspecting the implementation status at each ISA office, instructing therenew review and enforcement

7

Planning new operational guidelines for provisional release judgments
for detainees who are in poor health
Mechanisms for the ISA to check whether it is necessary to continue
holding detainees who are in poor healthCreating specific operational guidelines for provisional release judgments basedon the opinions of medical professionals, etc.

9

Cooperation with private organizations related to detainees onprovisional release・Collecting information on private organizations suitable for collaboration
・Holding discussions with multiple private organizations for collaboration

10

Establishment of an information provision window and an inspection
guidance department at the headquarters

Establishing “Immigration and Residency Audit Guidance Office”

11

Appropriate response to domestic violence cases, including thoroughdissemination of internal rules

Renewing instructions to disseminate appropriate responses to DV cases

12

Appropriate response to supporters

Issuing notices to unify the operation of each ISA office, such as unifying contact
points889Part II

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Chapter 4 Smooth and Strict

Implementation of
Immigration Examination at
the Port of Entry

In order to contribute to the realization of a tourism-oriented country, it is important on
the one hand to strive to implement smooth landing examinations for the majority of foreign
nationals, who come to Japan without causing any problems, but in order to realize a society
where Japanese nationals and foreign nationals can live together harmoniously, it is also
necessary to implement strict landing examinations and reliably prevent the entry of foreign
nationals whose objective is terrorism, illegal work or other illegal activities.
The number of foreign visitors to Japan in 2019 reached approximately 31.88 million, which
was a record high number. However, the number of foreign visitors to Japan significantly
decreased due to the impact of COVID-19. Since 2020, the number of foreign nationals visiting Japan as travelers dropped sharply.

Section 1 Efforts to Promote a Tourism-Oriented
Country
１

Introduction of Bio Carts
In order to simplify procedures at landing examination booths and enable foreign visitors to enter Japan more speedily, devices for obtaining personal identification information(fingerprints and a facial photograph) beforehand by utilizing the landing examination waiting time, commonly known as “Bio Carts”, were introduced at Kansai Airport, Takamatsu
Airport, and Naha Airport, places where these devices were expected to lead to significant
reduction in examination waiting time, in October 2016. Subsequently, the devices wereintroduced at 14 airports, including Narita Airport, from April 2017 to May 2018, at Haneda
Airport in December 2019 and at Hakata Port and Hitakatsu Port in January 2020, forfurther promoting smooth examinations.
In the “Tourism Vision Realization Program 2020” (Action Program for Realization of
Tourism Vision 2020) (adopted by the Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Japan as a
Tourism-Oriented Country of July 2020), Bio Carts are being utilized to reduce examination
waiting time, with the aim of reaching waiting time 20 minutes or less, as a measure to keep
working toward promotion of inbound travel in adaptation to the circumstances of COVID-19.

90

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Part II

Use of Bio Carts

２

Automated Gates(1) Promotion of Use of the Automated Gates
Japanese nationals and foreign nationals satisfying certain requirements (in possession ofre-entry permission, etc.), who have registered in advance as users of the Automated Gates,
are able to undergo the immigration procedures using the Automated Gates and do not haveto undergo the usual examination by an immigration inspector at an immigration examination booth, and in this way, smooth and strict examinations are being further promoted.
Following the installation of the Automated Gates at Narita Airport in November 2007,
Automated Gates were installed at Chubu Airport and Kansai Airport in September 2009
and were additionally installed at Haneda Airport in October 2010.
User registration of Automated Gates was started at the Tokyo Regional Immigration
Services Bureau and the Narita Airport District Immigration Services Office in November
2007, followed by the Nagoya Regional Immigration Services Bureau, the Chubu Airport
District Immigration Services Office, the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau andthe Kansai Airport District Immigration Services Office in September 2009 and the Haneda
Airport District Immigration Services Office in October 2010.
Moreover, in order to promote user registration of the Automated Gates in 2013, as wellas increasing the number of devices for user registration and posting information in airport
facilities and in-flight magazines through the cooperation of the airport operating companies
and airline companies, the ISA has been working to improve its administrative services withregard to those wishing to register for use of the Automated Gates through such means as
sending immigration officers to the prefectural passport offices in order to enable mobile onthe-spot user registration.

91

Part II

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Automated Gates(2) Trusted Traveler Program
The Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) is the system to issue “Registered User Card” thatenable the use of the Automated Gates to those people who intend to carry out activities inthe status of residence of “Temporary Visitor”, who meet certain requirements as “trusted
travelers” such as businessmen. Operation of this program began on November 1, 2016.
On March 16, 2020, the registration requirements for TTP were relaxed, and the scope of
applicants for registrations of this program was extended to tourists who possess sufficient
funds and credit and family members of TTP registrants (spouse and unmarried minors).
In addition, based on the Japan-U.S. Bilateral Cooperation on Travel Facilitation, assuming
registration with the Global Entry Program (GEP) of the United States, some of the requirements will be waived for US citizens applying for TTP registration.

Front of Registered User Card

Back of Registered User Card92

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Part II(3) Introduction of Facial Recognition Automated Gates in the Departure andReturn Procedures for Japanese Nationals
Due to the demand for further acceleration of immigration examinations in order topromote tourism in Japan, the ISA intends to further expedite the examination procedures,
while maintaining strictness of the examination, by streamlining the departure and return
for Japanese nationals through the use of facial recognition technology and assigning more
immigration inspectors to the examination of foreign nationals.
The ISA conducted a trial test of examinations utilizing facial recognition technology in2014, and the evaluation of the “Committee for Evaluation of Facial Recognition Technology
in the Immigration Examinations” composed of outside experts was that from the perspective of technology “there is sufficient possibility of utilizing facial recognition technology inthe departure and return examinations of Japanese nationals”. After necessary reviews facialrecognition Automated Gates were developed in the two years of FY 2016 and FY 2017,and advance operations of the facial recognition Automated Gates in the return confirmation
procedures for Japanese nationals commenced at Haneda Airport on October 18, 2017. In addition, from FY 2018 to FY 2020, the facial recognition Automated Gates were introduced in
the landing and departure examination areas of New Chitose Airport, Narita Airport, Chubu
Airport, Kansai Airport, Fukuoka Airport and Naha Airport, and are being operated in thedeparture and return procedures for Japanese nationals.

Using the facial recognition automatedgates(4) Expanded Use of the Automated Gates in the Departure Procedures for
Foreign Nationals
The “Tourism Vision Realization Program, 2016” (Action Program for Realization of
Tourism Vision 2016) (decision of the Ministerial Council on the Promotion of Japan as a
Tourism-Oriented Country of May 2016) outlined a plan to expand the use of the AutomatedGates in the departure procedures for foreign nationals in order to reduce the time required
for the departure procedures at airports in Japan. Based on this, surveys were conducted
related to expanding use of the Automated Gates in the departure procedures for foreign
nationals in FY 2016, and a study was also conducted on the scope of foreign nationals whoshould be eligible to use the Automated Gates in the departure procedures, necessary matters for system renovation, and methods of arranging the Automated Gates in the departure93

Part II

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

examination areas. Based on the results of the surveys and study, a decision was made thatthe facial recognition Automated Gates that have been used in the departure and returnprocedures for Japanese nationals would be used in the departure procedures for foreign
nationals who had entered Japan for such purposes as sightseeing, and on July 24, 2019, its
operation commenced in Haneda Airport, followed by the other seven airports listed in (3).

３Response to Cruise Ship Passengers
In recent years, there have been a remarkable increase in the number and size of cruise
ships calling at ports in Japan, and since requests have been received from the local governments inviting cruise ships for accelerated procedures after the arrival so that passengers
can fully enjoy sightseeing within the limited time they have at the port of call, the ISA has
been striving to implement smooth examinations through such means as implementing an
examination method using permission for landing at a port of call, the use of examinationequipment with the upgraded system, and support from other examination staffs from allover the country.
Also, from January 1, 2015, operation of the system of landing permission for cruise ship
tourists that allows foreign passengers on cruise ships designated by the Commissioner of
the ISA to undergo simplified procedures commenced and guidance for cruise ship companies has been strengthened, and in addition, strict yet smooth examinations are being conducted through implementing on-board examinations on cruise ships on the open seas withthe consent of the country of registration. In 2017, the number of applications for landing
permission for cruise ship tourists was approximately 2.45 million. The number has trended
downward at approximately 2.34 million in 2018 and approximately 2.03 million in 2019.
Furthermore, in 2020, due to the decrease in the number of cruise ships calling in Japandue to the spread of COVID-19, the number of landing permission for cruise ship tourists inthe same year was only about 120,000. Since March of the same year, international cruise
ships operations have been suspended, so no one has received a landing permission for cruise
ship tourists in 2021.

４

Other Measures to Reduce the Waiting Time for Examinations
As another initiative to shorten the waiting time for immigration examination, measures
are being implemented such as simplifying (including omitting some of the items to beentered, enforced on April 1, 2016) and digitizing (implemented from December 20, 2021) a
disembarkation card for foreign nationals which is submitted to the immigration inspector
at the time of immigration examination, and adding more booths by introducing verticalexamination booths.

94

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Part II

Vertical examination booth５

Revision of the method of measuring the time spent waiting in line for an
examination, and announcement of the waiting times for the examination
Considering the fact that the amount of time spent waiting in line for an immigration
examination is a matter of great concern for foreign travelers visiting Japan as it affects thetime they spend in Japan, a decision was made to revise the method of measurement fromJanuary 2017 so as to utilize the electronic data held by the ISA. As a result, it became possible to measure the “rate of achievement of the goal of an immigration examination waitingtime of 20 minutes” and the “longest immigration examination waiting time / time of occurrence” for each airport (terminal and examination areas), and this data is now compiled on amonthly basis and published once a month on the ISA website.
（http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/nyuukokukanri07_00117.html）(*) Due to COVID-19, the number of people monitored to measure immigration inspection waiting time has decreased
so measurement of immigration inspection waiting time has been on hold since April 2020.
We will consider when to restart measurement and publication based on the recovery situation of the number offoreign nationals entering Japan.

95

Part II

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Section 2 Strengthened Countermeasures at thePort of Entry
１

Immigration Examinations Utilizing Information(1) Implementation of Immigration Examinations Utilizing Biometric Information
Since November 2007, foreign nationals who intend to enter Japan have been required tosubmit their Biometric information (fingerprints and a facial photograph). This enables the
ISA to accurately and promptly confirm that the applicant for the verification for landing is
the same as the passport holder, and to check the applicant against the blacklist maintainedby the ISA. In addition, it has become possible to stringently detect those who have previously been deported and again try to enter Japan illegally using a forged passport or anotherperson’s passport by checking their information against the data on fingerprints and facial
photographs of those who were deported in the past retained by the ISA. In addition, since
October 2016, in order to rigorously detect terrorists, etc. at the time of the landing examination, the ISA has been cross-checking the facial photographs provided by foreign nationals at
the time of the landing examination against the facial images of terrorists and other suspectpersons. The total number of foreign nationals ordered to depart through a departure orderand deported through a deportation order based on the utilization of Biometric information
was 11,465 from the start of utilization of this information in the immigration examinations
by the end of December, 2020.
On the other hand, there have been an increasing number of cases where in order toavoid their past history of deportation being discovered, foreign nationals have attempted to
disguise their fingerprints by scarring their fingers or undergoing surgery and have illegallyentered Japan using a forged or altered passport obtained through such means. In order to
respond more appropriately to cases of disguised fingerprints, the ISA has been striving to
uncover these disguised fingerprints by modifying the fingerprint acquisition devices, and in
addition to executing the deportation procedures, the ISA has been strictly enforcing criminal dispositions through accusations and notifications to the police and other law enforcement
agencies.
In addition, since March 26, 2021, facial images of people who receive departure confirmation when departing Japan have been collated with facial images of people who are subject
to departure confirmation deferment, which are held by the ISA.

96

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Part II

Immigration examination through the use of Biometric
information(2) Utilizing of ICPO’s Database of Stolen and Lost Travel Documents
The introduction and operation of a system to enable the utilization of ICPOʼs databaseof stolen and lost travel documents at the time of the landing examinations as a measure toprevent terrorism was decided in the “Action Plan for the Prevention of Terrorism” (decision of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Measures against Transnational Organized
Crime and Other Relative Issues and International Terrorism on December 10, 2004), andexaminations have been conducted since August 2009 utilizing ICPO’s stolen and lost travel
documents database search system.
The ISA strives to detect and prevent cases of illegal entry by terrorists and individuals
who plan to commit illegal acts in Japan using lost or stolen passports by utilizing the database, and moreover, through passport forensics using high-performance forged and altereddocument forensics equipment deployed at the major airports and seaports throughout thecountry.
(3) Immigration Examinations Utilizing API and PNR
From February 2007, the ISA has made it mandatory for the captain of all vessels andaircraft entering Japan to submit advance passenger information (API), and from February
2010, the advance passenger inspection system (APIS) is being operated making it possible
for the API of aircraft arriving at the airports to be received electronically via the Nippon
Automated Cargo and Port Consolidated System (NACCS) operated by Nippon AutomatedCargo and Port Consolidated System, Inc. As a result, it has become possible to grasp in advance information related to the arrival of people requiring special attention for immigration
control, and to implement more effective and efficient countermeasures at the port of entry.
From June 2017, the reporting time of the information, which, in principle, used to be set at “90minutes before arrival” was revised to, in principle, “30 minutes from the time of departing
the area outside of Japan”, making it possible to detect the arrival of suspect persons much

97

Part II

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

sooner. Furthermore, the APIS started operation in July 2020 for the API of vessels entering
the ports, leading to the realization of stricter immigration examinations.
In addition, as the number of foreign nationals entering Japan has increased significantly, inorder to stringently prevent the entry of suspect persons through immigration control at theborder, the airline companies have been requested since January 2015 to provide passenger
name records (PNR), and from January 2016, the ISA has commenced electronic receipt of
PNRs via NACCS and have been using them in the immigration examinations.
With regard to API and PNR reports, it has been made obligatory to submit electronic
reports via NACCS since June 2021, in order to promote efficient analysis and utilization of
information by promoting digitization.

２

Reinforcement of Information Collection and Analysis
In recent years, terrorist attacks have occurred all over the world, and the ISA must takeeven stricter countermeasures at the port of entry in order to reliably prevent terrorists
from entering Japan.
Meanwhile, it is necessary to achieve the intricate balance of strict immigration control,
including measures to prevent terrorism, and also smooth entry examinations to realize
Japan as a tourism-oriented country.
Therefore, in October 2015, as the core organization for information gathering and analysis
in immigration control, the Center of Collection and Analysis of Intelligence was establishedin the ISA, and this Center promotes information sharing with domestic and overseas relatedorganizations. Specifically, the ISA collects various types of information, such as information
on international terrorists, and do advanced analysis using artificial intelligence (AI) andinformation held by the ISA, including APIs and PNRs. The results are then used by the
Regional Immigration Services Bureaus at airports in order to implement smooth and strict
countermeasures at the port of entry.

３

Patrol Activities at Airports and Seaports
In fact, there have been some cases of illegal entry into a third country misusing the transit areas (special areas made available in international airports, consisting of areas throughwhich those who enter the country by airplane move until they reach the landing examination site, and places where those who are making airplane connections can stay before they
go onboard) in Japanese major airports.
Accordingly, the immigration control officers monitor and detect suspicious individuals
by reinforced organizational patrols, in the transit areas of Narita Airport and other major
airports.
In addition, there is a concern that illegal entry cases using vessels to smuggle those whohave been deported from Japan in order to avoid landing examination utilizing Biometric
information, would increase.
Owing to the possibility that terrorists or other related persons, etc. may be hidden among
the foreign nationals who have illegally entered Japan, in order to deal appropriately withthese cases, mobile teams composed of immigration control officers (mobile teams for KitaNihon (northern Japan), Tokyo Bay Chiba, Tokyo Bay Yokohama, Naka-Nihon (central
Japan), Kobe and Nishi-Nihon (West Japan)) have been assigned to the regional immigration98

Chapter 4

Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry

Part II

services bureaus in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka, and the border measures have beenstrengthened. These mobile teams gather, analyze and share information on illegal foreign
nationals entering and departing from Japan and conduct various joint drills, while reinforcing their cooperation with the related ministries and agencies. These mobile teams conduct
patrols at the seaports and coastal areas under their jurisdictions and search onboard ships
in port, as well as conducting investigations and detection of suspects, related suspects andbrokers in connection with illegal immigration issues.

Patrol Activity

99

Part II

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

Chapter 5 Acceptance ofForeign Nationals andImmigration Control and
Residency Management
Administration

Section 1 Promotion of the Acceptance of HighlySkilled Foreign Professionals
１

Outline of Points-Based Preferential Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals
Japan introduced preferential immigration control and residency management treatment
based on the points-based system for highly-skilled foreign professionals (hereinafter referred
to as “points-based system for highly-skilled professionals”) in May 2012, and has since beenpromoting the acceptance of highly-skilled foreign professionals. The points-based system
for highly-skilled professionals aims at foreign nationals who have advanced capabilities
and qualities and are expected to contribute to Japan’s economic growth and divides thecontents of the activities of the highly-skilled foreign professionals into the three categories
of “advanced academic research activities”, “advanced specialized/technical activities” and“advanced business management activities”. According to the characteristic features of eachcategory, points are awarded for each item such as “academic background”, “professional
career” and “annual salary”, and if the total number reaches 70 points, such a foreign national
is recognized as a “highly-skilled foreign professional” and becomes eligible for preferential
immigration control and residency management treatment.
Following the introduction of the system, a recommendation was made by the 6th Immigration Policy Discussions Panel to the Minister of Justice to revise the points-based system
for highly-skilled professionals in May 2013. In the “Japan Revitalization Strategy” approvedby the Cabinet on June 14 of the same year, a goal was set out to revise the system and to
start the new system within the same year. Based on these, the Immigration Bureau (atthat time) amended the MOJ public notice on December 17 of the same year with the aimof revising the criteria for recognition pertaining to highly-skilled foreign professionals andrevising the preferential treatment.
In order to further promote the acceptance of foreign human resources who possess a highdegree of professional competence, the statuses of residence of “Highly-Skilled Professional(i)” and “Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)” were newly established by an amendment of the
Immigration Control Act in 2014 for highly-skilled foreign professionals who had previously
been granted the status of residence of “Designated Activities”.

2. “Highly-Skilled Professional (i)” and “Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)”
The new statuses of residence of “Highly-Skilled Professional (i)” and “Highly-Skilled

100Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

Part II

Professional (ii)” established by the 2014 Amendment Act are both limited to foreign
nationals who meet the criteria prescribed in the Ordinance of the MOJ and in response,
the Ordinance to Provide for the Criteria in the Right-Hand Column Corresponding to“Highly-Skilled Professionals as Specified in the Appended Table I (2) of the Immigration
Control and Refugee Recognition Act” (Ministerial Ordinance No. 37 of 2014) was enacted
and the criteria were set. With regard to “Highly-Skilled Professional (i)”, the criteria forthe points-based system for highly-skilled professionals followed those previously the statusof residence of “Designated Activities”. And the total number of points set for each of thecategories of “academic background”, “professional career” and “annual salary” etc. needs
to reach 70 points or more. In addition, with regard to “Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)”, thetotal number of points needs to be 70 points or more as with “Highly-Skilled Professional (i)”,and moreover, foreign nationals are required to reside in Japan for three years or more withthe status of residence of “Highly-Skilled Professional (i)”, to engage in the activities for the
status, to demonstrate good behavior and to be deemed to suit Japan’s interests.
(1) Preferential Treatment for “Highly-Skilled Professional (i)”A. Grant of period of stay for five years
B. Permission to engage in activities covering multiple statuses of residence
C. Permission for the spouse of the highly-skilled foreign professional to work (*1)
D. Permission for the parent(s) to accompany the highly-skilled foreign professional to Japan
under certain conditions (*2)
E. Relaxation of requirements for permanent residence
F. P ermission for a domestic worker to accompany the highly-skilled foreign professional to
Japan under certain conditions (*3)
G. Preferential processing of entry and residence procedures(2) Preferential Treatment for “Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)”
A. Engaging in almost all of the statuses of residence based on employment, in conjunction
with the activities is permitted.
B. An indefinite period of stay is granted.
C. The preferential treatment of the abovementioned from C to F of (1) is provided.
Although the status of residence of “Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)” has no restrictions
on the period of stay and cannot be granted at the time of landing similar to the status ofresidence of “Permanent Resident”, it differs from the status of residence of “Permanent Resident”, which has no restrictions on activities, because the status of residence of “Highly-Skilled
Professional (ii)” requires engaging in activities as a highly-skilled foreign professional. As
a result, if a foreign national with the status of residence of “Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)”does not engage in the activities as a highly-skilled foreign professional for an ongoing period(*1) In cases of activities coming under the statuses of residence of “Instructor”, “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/
International Services”, etc. it is possible to work with the status of residence of a spouse of a highly-skilled foreign
professional even without meeting certain criteria relating to academic background or professional career.
(*2) In cases where there is a child under seven years old or where the highly-skilled foreign professionals or his spouseis pregnant.
(*3) In cases where there is a child under 13 years old or where spouse is unable to engage in the day-to-day householdchores owing to an illness or other reasons.However, for highly-skilled foreign professionals (financial professionals)
engaged in Type 2 Financial Instruments Business, Investment Advisory and Agency business, or Investment
Management Business stipulated in the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act (Law No. 25 of 1948), there are no
requirements such as having a child under 13 years old, it is possible to employ up to two domestic workers as long as
their annual household income is 30 million yen or higher.

101

Part II

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administrationof six months or more, this may become grounds for revocation of the status of residence,and there are certain requirements which are not imposed on the status of residence of“Permanent Resident” such as the requirement to notice the organization of affiliation (workplace, etc.) to the Minister of Justice. On the other hand, foreign nationals with the status ofresidence of “Highly-Skilled Professional (ii)” are given preferential immigration control andresidency management treatment which is not accorded to “Permanent Resident” such asallowing parents or a domestic worker to accompany the highly-skilled foreign professional.

３

Situation of Acceptance
After the start of the system in May 2012, the cumulative number of cases of recognition
up until the end of 2013 was a low number of 845, but the number of new cases of recognition has significantly increased following the policy reform made in December of the same
year, from the inception of the system to June 30, 2022, 34,726 foreign nationals have beenrecognized as high-skilled professionals.

Reference 76

Changes in the number of cases of recognition (cumulative) throughReference 76 Changes in the number of cases of recognition (cumulative)
the points-based
system for high-skilled professionals
through the points-based system for high-skilled professionals（Cases）

34,00032,00030,00034,726■Ａ：Advanced
Academic Research Ac�vi�es■高度学術研究活動■Ｂ：Advanced
Specialized/Technical Ac�vi�es■高度専門・技術活動■Ｃ：Advanced
Business Management Ac�vi�es■高度経営・管理活動

31,451
29,08428,00026,40626,00023,87624,00021,34722,00020,00018,28618,00015,386

16,00012,94514,00012,000

10,572

10,000

8,515

8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0

Ａ
Ｂ
Ｃ
Total

４

845

12

36

313

579

May

2012
Jun

Dec

2013
Jun Dec

2
8
2
12

5
27
4
36

48
248
17
313

82
468
29
579

1,556

2,453

2014
Jun Dec

3,531

4,347

2015
Jun Dec

5,487

6,669

2016
Jun Dec2017
Jun Dec

2018
Jun Dec

2019
Jun Dec

2020
Jun Dec

2021
Jun Dec

2022
Jun

134 291 466 659 841 1,074 1,276 1,567 1,863 2,241 2,529 2,910 3,221 3,515 3,801 4,161 4,451 4,851
663 1,202 1,905 2,756 3,362 4,228 5,168 6,663 8,360 10,286 12,332 14,746 17,341 19,477 21,557 23,713 25,622 28,293
48
63
82 116 144 185 225 285 349 418 525 630 785 884 1,048 1,210 1,378 1,582
845 1,556 2,453 3,531 4,347 5,487 6,669 8,515 10,572 12,945 15,386 18,286 21,347 23,876 26,406 29,084 31,451 34,726

Situation of operations following review of the period ofstay required for the applications for permanent residence
The “Japan Revitalization Strategy 2016” (approved by the Cabinet decision of June 2,2016) proposed the establishment of the world’s fastest “Japanese Green Card for HighlySkilled Foreign Professionals” greatly reducing the current five-year period of stay required
for the application for permanent residence for highly-skilled foreign professionals as oneof the “considering immigration and residence control systems that further attract highly
skilled foreign professionals”, and the requirements were also reviewed and further promo-

102

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

Part IItion of publicity for the system conducted from the perspective of making the points-based
system for highly-skilled foreign professionals more accessible.
Based on this, the residence period required in the applications for permanent residenceof highly-skilled foreign professionals was reduced from the previous five years to three
years (to one year for professionals with particularly high skills (where the total number ofpoints is 80 points or more)), additional points categories were added, and the operations forthese commenced in April 2017.The number of cases of permission for permanent residence
through the operations granted up until end of March 2022 was 12,605.

Section 2 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals in the
National Strategic Special Zones
１

Entrepreneurs
The “Project for Facilitation of Acceptance of Foreign Entrepreneurs in National StrategicSpecial Zones” was stipulated in the “Act for Partial Amendment of the Act on National
Strategic Special Zones and the Act on Special Zones for Structural Reform” (Act No. 56
of 2015) as a special measure in order to strengthen the international competitiveness ofindustries and to form an international economic activities hub in such zones by promoting
the acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs in national strategic special zones.
In this project, the Council on National Strategic Special Zones specifies the project in thespecial zone plan, and once the plan has been approved by the Prime Minister, the local government pertaining to national strategic special zone examines the feasibility of the businessstart-up plan for foreign nationals who intend to enter Japan with the status of residence of“Business Manager”, and if it confirms that the requirements pertaining to the stability andsustainability of the business have been fulfilled, the entry is permitted on condition that therequirements pertaining to the status of residence of “Business Manager” which are normallyrequired at the time of landing examination are to be met within six months of landing, andthe activities to start up a business in national strategic special zone are specially permitted.
In March 2020, guidelines for a change of the status of residence and an extension of theperiod of stay pertaining to the Project for Facilitation of Acceptance of Foreign Entrepreneurs in National Strategic Special Zones were created, and it was decided that foreign
nationals residing in Japan with the status of residence of “Student” will be allowed tochange their status of residence to “Business Manager” in cases where the foreign national
plans to engage in the activities to start up a business utilizing the project and where certain
requirements are met. Under these guidelines, foreign nationals engaging in the activities tostart up a business utilizing the project who apply for the extension of their period of stay tocontinue the activities will be granted the extension of up to one year even if they use a coworking space, shared office, or a similar facility as their business office, since the facility will
be considered their business office if certain requirements are met.
As of July 2022, operations for the project have commenced in the Tokyo Area National
Strategic Special Zone (project implementation area: all of Tokyo metropolitan area and allof Kanagawa prefecture), the Fukuoka-Kitakyushu National Strategic Special Zone (all of
Fukuoka city and all of Kitakyushu city), the Niigata National Strategic Special Zone (allof Niigata city), the Hiroshima Prefecture-Imabari City National Strategic Special Zone (all103Part II

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administrationof Hiroshima prefecture and all of Imabari city), the Sendai City National Strategic Special
Zone (all of Sendai city), the Aichi Prefecture National Strategic Special Zone (all of Aichi
prefecture) and the Kansai Area National Strategic Special Zone (all of Kyoto prefecture).

２

Foreign nationals Conducting Housekeeping Services
The “Project to Accept Foreigners Conducting Housekeeping Services in National
Strategic Special Zones” that the activities of domestic workers in national strategic special
zones are deemed to come under the public notice on the status of residence of “DesignatedActivities” was stipulated as a special measure in the “Act for Partial Amendment of the Act
on National Strategic Special Zones and the Act on Special Zones for Structural Reform” (ActNo. 56 of 2015).
This project is a special measure where the Council on National Strategic Special Zones
establishes the project as a special zone plan, and the special zone plan is approved by thePrime Minister, domestic workers (foreign nationals conducting housekeeping services)
who have entered into an employment contract with a specified organization are able toengage in the activities of conducting housekeeping services (cooking, washing, cleaning andshopping) in the household using the domestic services, under a framework where a third
party management council composed of the local government of the zone implementing the
project and the relevant ministries (Cabinet Office, MOJ, Ministry of Health, Labour andWelfare, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) is involved in ensuring appropriate
acceptance (confirmation that the specified organizations are complying with the criteria,
implementation of audits, etc.).
The period in which foreign nationals were permitted to conduct housekeeping services
under the project used to be three years in total. However, in March 2020, the period was
extended to five years in total, following a change in the guidelines based on the Act on
National Strategic Special Zones (Act No. 107 of 2013).
As of July 2022, operations for the project have commenced in the Tokyo Area National
Strategic Special Zone (project implementation area: all of Tokyo metropolitan area and all ofKanagawa prefecture and all of Chiba city), the Kansai Area National Strategic Special Zone
(all of Osaka city, all of Toyonaka city, all of Ikeda city, all of Minoh city, all of Moriguchi
city, all of Hirakata city, all of Neyagawa city, all of Kadoma city and all of Hyogo prefecture)and the Aichi Prefecture National Stratedwagic Special Zone (all of Aichi prefecture).

３

Foreign nationals Conducting Agricultural Works
In order to realize “strong agriculture” through promoting the production of various kindsof crops in the production areas and expanding the scale of the business by utilizing foreign
workers in the field of agriculture, the “Project to Accept Foreigners Conducting Agricultural Works in National Strategic Special Zones” that the activities of agricultural support
workers in national strategic special zones are deemed to come under the public notice on
the status of residence of “Designated Activities” was stipulated as a special measure in the“Act for Partial Amendment of the Act on National Strategic Special Zones and the Act on
Special Zones for Structural Reform” (Act No. 71 of 2017) (effective from September 22,2017).
This project is a special measure where the Council on National Strategic Special Zones

104

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

Part II

establishes the project as a special zone plan, and the special zone plan is approved by thePrime Minister, foreign agricultural support workers who have entered into an employment
contract with a specified organization are able to engage in agricultural support works (production, manufacturing, processing, etc.) in the agricultural management body, etc., which isthe agency that has entered into a worker dispatch contract with a specified organization,
under a framework where an appropriate acceptance management council composed of thelocal government of the zone implementing the project and the relevant ministries (Cabinet
Office, MOJ, Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, and Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries) is involved in ensuring appropriate acceptance (confirmation that the specified organizations are complying with the criteria, implementation of audits/patrol guidance,etc.).
As of July 2022, operations for the project have commenced in the Kansai Area National
Strategic Special Zone (project implementation area: all of Kyoto prefecture), the Niigata
National Strategic Special Zone (all of Niigata city), the Aichi Prefecture National StrategicSpecial Zone (all of Aichi prefecture), and the Okinawa National Strategic Special Zone (allof Okinawa prefecture).
In addition, a decision was made at the Advisory Council on National Strategic Special
Zones on June 11, 2019 that the project would be transferred to the system of specified
skilled workers in stages in light of the fact that agriculture was positioned as a designatedindustrial field, and in cases of new acceptance of foreign nationals supporting agriculture,
efforts would be made to have such foreign workers enter Japan by March 31, 2020.

４

Foreign nationals Supporting Overseas Demand Development
In order to flexibly respond to the needs for acceptance of foreign nationals who haveexpertise related to “cool Japan and inbound responses” and to maximize use of the specialized knowledge and skills acquired by foreign nationals in companies and other enterprises,
the “Project to Promote Activities Supporting Foreigners Overseas Demand Development in
National Strategic Special Zones” was stipulated as a special measure in the “Act for Partial
Amendment of the Act on National Strategic Special Zones and the Act on Special Zones for
Structural Reform” (Act No. 71 of 2017) (effective from September 22, 2017).
The project enables a foreign national to enter Japan with the status of residence of“Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” or “Skilled Worker” in cases
where: the intended activities supporting foreign nationals overseas demand development
is applicable to the status of residence of “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International
Services” or “Skilled Worker”; it is recognized that a level of knowledge and skills equivalent
to the academic history and practical experience required under the current landing permission criteria can be substituted by domestic or foreign qualifications or examinations, awards
received, or the like; the Council on National Strategic Special Zones specifies the project inthe special zone plan, and the plan has been approved by the Prime Minister; and the foreign
national meets the landing examination criteria for foreign nationals pertaining to activities
supporting foreign nationals overseas demand development, the criteria being provided asa special government ordinance of the Landing Criteria Ministerial Ordinance and being
considered criteria provided pursuant to the Landing Criteria Ministerial Ordinance.

105Part II

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

５ Special Additions Pertaining to the Points-based System for Highly-skilled Professionals
In order to promote the acceptance of highly-skilled foreign nationals and thereby enhanceindustrial international competitiveness and develop a hub for international economic activity, the “Project to Promote the Acceptance of Highly-skilled Foreign Nationals in National
Strategic Special Zones” was adopted as a special measure (taking effect on March 15, 2019),
in response to the Order to Partially Revise the Order on Measures Related to the Special
Provisions of MOJ Related Ministerial Ordinances Pertaining to Projects Regulated byGovernment Ordinances, etc. Specified in Article 26 of the Act on National Strategic Special
Zones (Cabinet Office, Ministerial Ordinance No. 1, 2019).
This project adds ten points when applying for the status of residence “Highly-Skilled
Professional” for foreign nationals working in public and private organizations in Japansupported by subsidies from local governments to which the project implementation area
belongs.
As of July 2022, operations for the project have commenced in the Tokyo Area National
Strategic Special Zone (project implementation area: all of Tokyo metropolitan area), theHiroshima Prefecture - Imabari City National Strategic Special Zone (all of Hiroshima
prefecture), the Kansai Area National Strategic Special Zone (all of Kyoto prefecture), theFukuoka City - Kitakyushu City National Strategic Special Zone (all of Fukuoka city and allof Kitakyushu city), the Sendai City National Strategic Special Zone (all of Sendai city), and
the Aichi Prefecture National Strategic Special Zone (all of Aichi prefecture).

６

Foreign Beauticians
The Japanese government is seeking to promote Cool Japan, including strengthening
industrial competitiveness and brand improvement by exporting Japanese beauty products,
as well as to respond to inbound demand by promoting the overseas activities of humanresources who have practical experience in beauty in Japan. To that end, The National Strategic Special Zone Foreign Beautician Training Project was established as a special measure
to train foreign workers with Japanese beautician licenses, according to the National Strategic Special Zone Foreign Beautician Training Project Implementation Guidelines (decided on
July 30, 2021).
This project is a special measure where the Council on National Strategic Special Zones
establishes the project as a special zone plan, and the special zone plan is approved by thePrime Minister. Based on training plans certified by local governments of project implementation areas, foreign beauticians who have graduated from a Japanese beautician training
facility and have obtained a beautician license and meet certain requirements are able toengage in specified beautician activities that require practical knowledge and skills related
to beauty under the direction and supervision of a training institution with which an employment contract has been concluded. As of July 2022, the operation is scheduled to start in
the Tokyo Area National Strategic Special Zone (project implementation area: all of Tokyo
metropolitan area) by the end of 2022.

106Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

Part II

Section 3 Other Measures
１

Promotion of the acceptance of foreign nationals related to Cool Japan(1) Work from a fashion design educational institution
In order to promote the acceptance of foreign nationals related to Cool Japan, it was decided that from March 2018, foreign students, who have graduated from a specialized courseof a fashion design educational institution which is permitted to accept foreign students
where it is deemed possible for the foreign student to acquire specialized knowledge andskills would be eligible for permission to change the status of residence for the purpose offinding employment with a Japanese company or other enterprise.
(2) Acceptance of Foreign Licensed Cooks・Confectionery Hygiene Masters
Since February 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in cooperation with the ISA, has implemented the “Program to Train Foreign Nationals in JapaneseCuisine”. Under the program, foreign students who have graduated from a licensed cooktraining facility and obtained a cook license are allowed to engage in activities relating tocooking Japanese cuisine for up to five years with the status of residence of “DesignatedActivities”. In November 2019, the name of the project was changed to the “Program forTraining Foreign Nationals in Japanese Food Culture”, foreign students who have majoredin confectionary production and completed a specialized program at a special training school
were made eligible to the project, and restaurants including those serving non-Japanesecuisine, confectionary stores including bakeries, and hotels and Japanese inns, among otherfacilities, were added to the list of accepting organizations, which led to the extension of the
project to non-Japanese cuisine cooking and confectionary production and the further promotion of acceptance of foreign nationals related to Cool Japan.

２ Further acceptance of fourth-generation foreign nationals of Japanese descentWith regard to the fourth-generation foreign nationals of Japanese descent, only unmarriedminors who are natural children supported by a third-generation foreign national of Japanesedescent residing in Japan with the status of residence of “Long-Term Resident” were used
to be permitted to enter Japan, but a system was established and became effective from
July 2018 for the purpose of promoting understanding of and interest in Japan through theacceptance of young fourth-generation foreign nationals of Japanese descent and activities tohave them learn about Japanese culture, and thereby, to develop human resources acting asa bridge to strengthen the connections between Japan and Japanese societies abroad.
Under this system, basically the same entry requirements as for the working holiday
system are required, but as a unique requirement of this system, a certain level of Japanese
language proficiency is required at the time of entry into Japan or at the time of renewing
the period of stay, as well as the guarantee of a “supporter to accept the fourth-generation
foreign national of Japanese descent” to provide support pertaining to the entry and residence of the fourth-generation foreign national of Japanese descent being required. Fourthgeneration foreign nationals of Japanese descent who are accepted under this system areable to engage in activities to understand Japanese culture, including the Japanese language,107

Part II

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

for a total of a maximum of five years, and to engage in activities to receive remuneration
within the necessary limit to supplement necessary funds in order to engage in the activities(except for activities to engage in amusement-business work).
With regard to this system, in order to further promote acceptance of fourth-generation
foreign nationals of Japanese descent, some Japanese language requirements imposed at thetime of entry to Japan and during residence were relaxed in March 2021.

３

Online residence procedures
The “Future Investment Strategy 2018” decided by the Cabinet in June 2018 set out thatin order to facilitate and expedite the status of residence procedures, online applications forthe status of residence would commence from FY 2018, which would allow organizations ofaffiliation that properly employ foreign nationals and submit notifications on the situation of
employment of foreign nationals to carry out the procedures on behalf of the foreign national.
In response to this, starting in July 2019, staff of organizations of affiliation that meetcertain requirements, as well as attorneys and administrative scriveners hired by affiliatedinstitutions, can make applications to extend period of stay, and simultaneously make applications for re-entry permits and applications for permission to engage in activity other thanthat permitted under the status of residence previously granted, based on requests fromapplicants. In March 2020, measures were taken such as expanding procedures and statusesof residence that are eligible for online applications, in order to further improve convenience.
In April 2020, we made it possible for foreign nationals affiliated with small and medium
sized enterprises (Category 3 organizations) for some work statuses of residence, and in July
2020, we made it possible for foreign students enrolled in vocational schools and Japanese
language schools to apply online as well.
Furthermore, in March 2022, revisions were made to enable online applications by foreign
nationals themselves and others using the electronic certificate and personal authentication
function of the Individual Number Card, and to add the status of residence in the Appended
Table II of the Immigration Control Act, such as “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”, tothe scope of online application.

４

Promotion of the acceptance of foreign entrepreneurs
The “Growth Strategy 2018” decided by the Cabinet in June 2018 outlined a program tosupport entrepreneurial activities to commence within fiscal year 2018 such as measures tofurther expand the acceptance of entrepreneurs, and implementation of management andsupport measures by checking the situation of implementation of entrepreneurial activities
and building a consultation system.
In response to this, as a system permitting entry and residence for the purpose of entrepreneurial activities for up to one year under the proper management and support of the national and local governments, the “Public Notice Relating to the Project to Promote Foreign
National Entrepreneurial Activities”, which is a public notice of the Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry, stipulated the procedures for local governments to promote foreign
national entrepreneurship activities and specific contents such as the scope of the foreign
national entrepreneurs who are eligible for acceptance, and based on this, amendments weremade to the public notice of the MOJ, which were promulgated and enforced on December

108Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

Part II28, 2018.
In accordance with the revised public notice of the MOJ, foreign residents who receive
support for entrepreneurship from local governments in accordance with the public noticeof the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will be allowed to enter and reside in Japan
with the status of residence of “Designated Activities” for a period not exceeding one year interms of the immigration and residence management procedures.
The “Follow-up on Growth Strategy” and “City, People, Work Creation Basic Policy 2020”
decided by the Cabinet in July 2020 set forth measures for entrepreneurial activities inJapan by the end of fiscal year 2020, for foreign nationals who have graduated from Japanese
universities and meet certain requirements.
In response to this, it was decided to allow a maximum of two years of residence withthe status of “Designated Activities” for foreign students who have been engaged inentrepreneurial activities since they were enrolled in Japanese universities considered to beenthusiastic about accepting outstanding foreign students, and who wish to continue theirentrepreneurial activities even after graduation.
It was also decided to allow the transition to new measures after using this project, andto allow residence for up to two years following residence based on this project, for foreign
nationals who have stayed in Japan after graduating from a Japanese university and used the
Project to Promote Foreign National Entrepreneurial Activities or the Project for Facilitationof Acceptance of Foreign Entrepreneurs in National Strategic Special Zones, but did notstart a business within the allotted period.

５ Promotion of the appropriate acceptance of Foreign Students(1) Employment Support for Foreign Students
According to the “Japan Revitalization Strategy 2016” approved by the Cabinet in June
2016, the aim is to increase the share of foreign students who find employment within Japan
from the current 30% to 50%, and in addition, to expand the range of fields in which foreign
students are able to find employment has been decided in the “Comprehensive Measures”
decided at the relevant ministerial meeting in December 2018.
Therefore, in order to promote the settlement of excellent foreign human resources andexpand opportunities for employment in Japan for the foreign students who are expected
to contribute to revitalize the Japanese economy and society, the public notice on the statusof residence of “Designated Activities” was amended, promulgated and enforced on May 30,
2019.
Accordingly, foreign students who have graduated from a Japanese university or graduate
school are permitted to work in a wide range when they engage in the work that anticipatedto make use of the knowledge and applied skills that they acquired at a Japanese university
or graduate school, and Japanese language skills under certain conditions such as requiringa high level of Japanese language skill such as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test N1
level, being a full-time employee, and receiving remuneration equivalent to or more thanthat a Japanese national would receive for the same work. At the end of December 2021, thenumber of the foreign nationals granted their status of residence by this system was 576.
In order to promote further utilization, we are announcing this system on the ISA website
and consultation counters.

109

Part II

Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration(2) Optimization of the Japanese Language Institutions
Since Japanese language institutions that accept foreign students need to be optimized
as educational institutions which steadily provide an appropriate learning settings. Related
to this point, the guideline on the public notice for the Japanese language institutions werepartially amended in 2019, introducing stricter criteria such as for the attendance rate of
all residents of Student status or for the proportion of them staying illegally beyond theirauthorized period of stay pursuant to the deletion procedures from the public notice, as wellas making it obligatory to report the results of periodic self-inspections on the guideline andpertaining to Japanese language proficiency such as the results of the valid proficiency tests.
We are properly following the guidelines, and are continuing to optimize Japanese language
institutions, improve the quality of them, and carefully manage the residence of foreign
students.

６

Online notifications regarding Specified Skilled Workers
Notifications regarding the status of residence “Specified Skilled Worker”, which was
newly established in April 2019, are submitted by the Specified Skilled Worker’s affiliateorganization and registered support organization (hereinafter, “Specified Skilled Worker
affiliate organization, etc.”) to the Commission of the ISA. They include quarterly notifications about the implementation status for Specified Skilled Worker and activities of Specified
Skilled Worker Revision of the (regular notifications), as well as notifications made eachtime there is a change related to the employment contracts or support plans of Specified
Skilled Workers (irregular notifications). In the Digital Government Execution Plan (Cabinet
decision made on December 25, 2020), it was decided that online notifications would be madepossible by the end of March 2021.
In response to this, the ISA has made it possible for the staff of Specified Skilled Workers
affiliated organizations, etc. that have registered in advance as users of the ISA’s Electronic
Notification System to submit all notifications related to the specified skilled work system
online, and the system began accepting notifications in April 2021.

110Chapter 5 Acceptance of Foreign Nationals and Immigration Control and Residency Management Administration

Part II

Article: At the Front Line of Immigration Control Administration(Voice of the immigration inspector in charge of online inspections)(Student and Trainee Inspection Department, the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau: Miwa Hiroto)

I work at Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Student and Trainee Inspection Department, and I am mainly in charge of examining online applications for statusof residence “Technical Intern Training”. Online applications were started in July 2019with the purpose of “reducing the burden of appearing at the counter of the regional
immigration office, greatly facilitating and speeding up the residence examination procedure, and enhancing the convenience of the status of residency procedure.”
Prior to the start of online applications, foreign nationals, in principle, had to appear
in person at Regional Immigration Services Bureaus in order to apply for status ofresidence. Also, in the case of the Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, there
are a lot of people who come in to our office, so they may have to wait for a long time
when applying or receiving a residence card. However, if they use the online application, they do not need to go to the counter, and they can apply for status of residence
from their home or office. Also, when applying online, they can choose to receive theirresidence card at the counter or by mail. If they choose mail, it is more convenient andless burdensome for users than if they go directly to the counter.
At the beginning of the online application, online application was possible only in limited cases, with only the staff of organizations of affiliation who met certain requirements
and the attorney or administrative scrivener requested by the organizations of affiliation
being able to apply for extension of period of stay. However, since then, the proceduresin which online application was possible have been expanded repeatedly, and it has
become possible to apply online for permission for change of status of residence and for
certificate of eligibility. From March 2022, the ISA
has added statuses of residence such as “LongTerm Resident” and “Spouse or Child of Japanese
National”.
Online applications are also helping to prevent
transmission of COVID-19 during the pandemic. I
hope that more people will understand the meritsof online applications, and that the number of people using online applications will increase, because
it will improve the convenience of procedures The immigration inspector in
charge of online inspections
related to examination of status of residence.

111Part II

Chapter 6

The System of Specified Skilled Worker

Chapter 6 The System of Specified

Skilled Worker

The statuses of residence of “Specified Skilled Worker (i)” and “Specified Skilled Worker (ii)”were established following the promulgation of Act for Partial Amendment of the Immigration
Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the Act for Establishment of the MOJ on December 8,
2018, in the 197th Diet, and operation started on April 1, 2019.
Below is an overview of the Specified Skilled Worker system.

Section 1 Outline of The System
The system of Specified Skilled Workers is a system that was established for the acceptance of work-ready foreign nationals who have a certain degree of expertise and skills in
the industrial fields where it is still difficult to secure human resources even if efforts havebeen made to improve productivity and secure domestic human resources in order to copewith the worsening labor shortages being experienced by small to medium-size businessenterprises.

Section 2 Operation Policy of the Specified Skilled
Worker System
１

The Governmentʼs Basic Policy
Based on the “Basic Policy for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2018” (Cabinet
decision of June 15, 2018), Basic Policy for the Operation of the System of Specified Skilled
Worker Status of Residence (hereinafter referred to as “the government’s basic policy”) wasestablished pursuant to Article 2-3, paragraph (1) of the Amended Immigration Control Act,
which entered into force on April 1, 2019 in order to ensure proper operation of the systempertaining to the status of residence of “Specified Skilled Worker”.
As well as matters relating to the significance of the system pertaining to the status ofresidence of “Specified Skilled Worker”, the governmentʼs basic policy stipulates the basic
matters relating to the industrial fields where labor shortages need to be supplemented
by foreign nationals since it is difficult to secure human resources (hereinafter referred toas “specified industrial field”), the basic matters relating to human resources required in a
specified industrial field, the basic matters relating to coordination of the clerical affairs of therelevant administrative agencies concerning operation of the system pertaining to the statusof residence of Specified Skilled Worker, and other important matters related to operation of
the system related to the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker (Reference 77).

112

Upper limit of a total of 5 years

Period of stay
Accompanying
family members

In principle, not permitted

The workers should be basically able todeal with daily conversation to a certain
extent, which is enough to survive daily
life, as well as to have Japanese language
proficiency required for their work *Japanese
proficiency
level

１

Skills that require considerable
knowledge or experience *Skill level

Specified Skilled Worker (i)Permitted

Extension of the period of stay ispossible－

Proficient skills *Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

* Confirmed through the exams or othermethods specified by the ministries incharge of each field➢ Supports for “Specified Skilled Worker (i)”Orientation of daily life, support to learn daily Japanese language, consultations and complaints handling for foreign workers, promotion of exchanges between foreign workers and Japanese are included in the
supports.
When foreign workers use Hello Work(public employment agency) to change their jobs,it will make efforts to understand the work conditions foreign workers desire, their skill level, and Japanese language
proficiency level, and provide proper services for employment counseling and job placement.
➢ Employment type : Full-time and, in principle, direct hire. Under special circumstances, specified skilled workers may, as an exception, be dispatched by staffing services agencies, but this will be clearly statedin the operation policy of each field.
➢ Review of the Basic Policy: The system will be reviewed 2 years after enforcement of the amended Act, and modified if necessary.

5. Important matters concerning operation of the system➢ Measures taken in Japan: Malicious intermediary organizations (brokers), etc. will be eliminated completely throughenhancing collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and other related organizations.
➢ Measures taken outside Japan: In order to prevent the intervention by malicious intermediary organizations such as those that collect deposits, intergovernmental documents such as bilateral arrangements will
be made as well as necessary measures will be taken.
➢ Responses to changes in the situation of labor shortages
The head of the administrative organizations which are in charge of the specified industrial fields will continuously monitor the situation of labor shortage in the fields. When a change was observed in thesituation, the relevant administrative organizations of the system and those which are in charge of the specified industrial fields will discuss future policies of acceptance. If necessary, revision of operation policyof each specified industrial field, suspension of the issuance of certificate of eligibility or deletion of fields from the ministerial ordinance stipulating the specified industrial fields will be discussed at the relevant
ministerial meetings.
The expected number of foreign workers to be accepted over the next five years will be considered as the upper limit of acceptance under this system, unless there is a major change in the economic situation.
➢ Responses in the event of public security problems
The relevant administrative organizations of the system and those which are in charge of the specified industrial fields will make efforts to cooperate by sharing and monitoring the related information, and to
take necessary measures so as to ensure such problems as foreign workers got missing and other public security problems will not occur through the acceptance of specified skilled workers.

4. Basic matters concerning adjustment of the administrative affairs of the relevant administrative organizations➢ Fields where specified skilled workers will be acceptedIndustrial fields where foreign workers are needed to supplement the labor shortage, which is still difficult to secure
human resources even after efforts have been made to improve productivity and secure domestic human resources(hereinafter referred to as “specified industrial fields”).
➢ Consideration to regions facing labor shortage
Efforts to take necessary measures will be made so as not to have an excessive concentration of specified skilled workers
in metropolitan areas or other particular areas➢ Expected number of acceptance
The number of specified skilled workers to be accepted over the next five years will be stated in the operation policy ofeach field

3. Matters concerning necessary
human resources

To build a framework for the acceptance of work-ready foreign nationals, who possess certain expertise and skills in industrial fields where it is difficult to secure
workforces even after efforts to improve productivity and secure domestic human resources have been made so as to respond to the serious shortage in labor of small
and medium-sized enterprises and other businesses.

2. Matters concerning the industrial fields where labor shortage needs to be supplemented by foreign workers

1. Matters concerning the significanceof the system

Basic Policy on Operation of the System of the Status of Residence of “Specified Skilled Worker” Established to Ensure Proper Operation of the System of the
Status of Residence of “Specified Skilled Worker” (Article 2-3 of the newly amended Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act)

Reference
Outlineof theBasic Policy
Policy onof theRelatedoftoSpecifi
the Status
Residenceof “Specified
Worker”
Reference
77 77
Outlineof theBasic
onOperation
Operationof System
the System
ed ofSkilledWorker(StatusSkilledof Residence)

Chapter 6
The System of Specified Skilled Worker
Part II

113

Part II

Chapter 6

２

The System of Specified Skilled Worker

Field-Specific Operation Policy
The field-specific operational policy is a policy on the operation of the system related to thestatus of residence of Specified Skilled Worker in a specified industrial field. In accordancewith the governmentʼs basic policy, it is specified by the Minister of Justice together with thehead of the administrative agency with jurisdiction over the field, the National Public Safety
Commission, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare
in order to ensure proper operation of the system pertaining to the status of residence ofSpecified Skilled Worker in the specified industrial fields.
In response to the enactment and promulgation of the Amended Act, the governmentʼsbasic policy and the field-specific operational policies for each of the 14 specified industrial
fields(*) were approved on December 25, 2018 by the Ministerial Conference on Acceptanceand Coexistence of Foreign Human Resources.
The field-specific operational policies stipulated the matters related to the situation of theshortage of human resources in the specified industrial fields as well as matters relating
to the criteria for the human resources required in the specified industrial fields and otherimportant matters related to operation of the system pertaining to the status of residence ofSpecified Skilled Worker (Reference 78).

(*) In the partial revision of the government's basic policy (Cabinet decision of April 26, 2022), the fields of Machineparts and tooling industry, Industrial machinery industry, and Electric, electronics and information industry were
integrated to form “Machine parts and tooling / Industrial machinery / Electric, electronics and information industries ”.
From May 25, 2022, there will be 12 fields.

114

Chapter 6

The System of Specified Skilled Worker

Part II

Reference 78 Field-Specific Operation Policy (12 fields)

Reference 78

Field-Specific Operation Policy (12 fields)

Labor shortage
Field

Prospecitve no. of
foreign nationals tobe accepted(maximun no. over 5
years)

Nursing care

60,000

Building cleaning
management

37,000

M
H
L
W

Machine parts &tooling / Industrial
M
Machinery /E
Electric,
Telectronics andI
informationindustries

M
L
I
T

Skills test

Other important matters

Japaneselanguage exam

Employment
formType of work

Japan Foundation Test for Basic As well as physical care (such as bathing, meals, assistance for excretion, etc.,
Japanese or Japanese Language
adjusted to the mental and physical state of the user), supplemental support
Nursing care skills evaluation Proficiency Test N4 or higher (Inservices (recreation, assistance with functional exercise, etc.)
addition to the above) Nursing
test(Note) Home visit services are excluded
care Japanese language〔1 test category〕
evaluation test

Building cleaning field
specifiedskills (i) evaluation test

Japan Foundation Test for
Basic Japanese or JapaneseInterior builidng cleaning
Language Proficiency Test N4
or higher

Japan Foundation Test for
Manufacturing field specified
Basic Japanese or Japaneseskills (i) evaluation test
Language Proficiency Test N4
or higher- Casting- Forging- Die casting- Machining- Metal press- Iron work
- Factory sheet
metal work
- Electroplanting〔1 test category〕- Aluminium anodizing- Finishing- Machine inspection- Machine maintenance- Electric equipment
assembling- Electronics equipment
assembling- Print wiring board
manufacturing

DirectDirect- Plastic molding- Painting- Welding- Industrial packaging

Direct〔19 test categories〕

Construciton
industry

40,000Construction field specified
skills (i) evaluation test, etc.

Japan Foundation Test for
Basic Japanese or Japanese
Language Proficiency Test N4
or higher- Framework- Telecommunications - Plumbing- Building sheet metal- Reinforcement
construction- Heat-retention andconstruction- Plasteringcool-retention- Reinforcing bar- Concrete pumping- Spray urethane- Tunnel and propusion joints
thermal insulation
Interior
finishing- Construcion machinery- Marine civil- Wall coveringand constructionengeneering
Scaffolding- Earthwork〔19 test categories〕- Carpentry- Roofing

Shipbuilding &ship machineryindustry

13,000

Shipbuilding/ship machinery
field specified skills (i)evaluation test , etc.

Japanese-Language
Proficiency Test (provisional)etc.

- Welding- Painting- Iron Work

Automobile
repair &maintenance

7,000

Automobile repair andmaintenance field specified
skills evaluation test, etc.

Japan Foundation Test for
Basic Japanese or Japanese
Automobile daily checks and maintenance, periodical checks and maintenance,
Language Proficiency Test N4 disassembly repair
or higher〔1 test category〕

DirectAviation industry

2,200

Aviation field specified skills
evaluation test (airport ground Japan Foundation Test for· Airport ground handling (handling of an aircradt on the ground, handling ofBasic Japanese or Japanese
handling or aircraft
baggage / cargo, etc.)
Language Proficiency Test N4
maintenance)· Aircraft maintenance (maintenance work, etc. for an aircraft, equipment, etc.)
or higher〔2 test categories〕

DirectAccommodationindustry

22,000Agriculture

M
A
F
F

31,450

Human resorce criteria

36,500Fishery &aquaculture

9,000

Manufacture offood andbeverages

34,000Food service
industry

53,000Accommodation industry
skillsproficiency test

- Finishing- Machining- Electrical equipment

DirectDirect〔6 test categories〕

Japan Foundation Test for
Basic Japanese or Japanese
Providing accommodation services such as working at the front desk, planning /Language Proficiency Test N4 public relations, hospitality and restaurant services
or higher〔1 test category〕

DirectJapan Foundation Test for· Cultivation agriculture (cultivation management, harvesting and shipping /Basic Japanese or Japanesesorting of agricultural products, etc.)
Language Proficiency Test N4 · Livestock agriculture (management of rising, harvesting and shipping / sortingor higherof livestock products, etc.)〔2 test categories〕

DirectDispatch· Fishery (Production and repair of fishing gear, aquatic animals and plant
exploration, operation of fishing gear and fishing machinery, aquatic animal andJapan Foundation Test forplant harvesting, treatment and storage of Fishery products, securing of safety andBasic Japanese or Japanese
health, etc.)
Language Proficiency Test N4· Aquaculture industry (Production, repair and management of aquaculturalor highermaterials, cultivation and management of aquatic animal and plant farming,
harvesting and processing, securing of safety and health, etc.)〔2 test categories〕

DirectDispatch

Japan Foundation Test for
Food and beverage
General food and beverage manufacturing (manufacture and processing of food
manufacturing industry skills Basic Japanese or Japanese
Language Proficiency Test N4 and beverages (excluding alcoholic beverages), health and safety)
proficiency test
or higher〔1 test category〕

DirectJapan Foundation Test for
Basic Japanese or Japanese
General restaurant work (food preparation, customer service, restaurant
Language Proficiency Test N4 management)or higher〔1 test category〕

DirectAgriculture skills proficiency
test(cultivation agriculture or
livestockagriculture)

Fishing industry skills
proficiency
test （fishery or aquacultureindustry)

Restaurant industry skills
proficiency test

115

Part II

Chapter 6

３

The System of Specified Skilled Worker

Memorandum of Cooperation
In accordance with the government’s basic policy, efforts are being made to enter into
Memorandums of Cooperation such as for construction of an information sharing framework
between the Japanese government and the governments of sending countries for Specified
Skilled Workers, in order to eliminate malicious intermediary organizations (brokers) suchas those collecting a deposit from foreign nationals who wish to work in Japan or theirfamilies.

Section 3 Situation of Operation of The “Specified
Skilled Worker” System
１

Acceptance of foreign Specified Skilled Workers
According to the preliminary figures as of the end of June, 2022, the number of foreign
nationals with the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker was 87,472. As for the
top five fields, the Manufacture of food and beverages accounted for the largest number at
29,617, followed by Machine parts and tooling / Industrial machinery / Electric, electronics
and information industries at 17,865, Agriculture at 11,469, Nursing care at 10,411 and Construction industry at 8,493.
After the start of the system until the end of June 2022, there were 20,404 cases ofissuance of Certificates of Eligibility pertaining to Specified Skilled Worker, 87,265 casesof permission granted for change of status of residence, and 7,129 cases of registration toregistered support organizations.
The number of foreign nationals with the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker
increased by 76.1% from the end of December 2021 (49,666) to the end of June 2022 (87,472),
and is likely to continue increasing in the future.

２ Situation of Implementation of Specified Skilled Worker Exams
The ISA, in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies, has promoted theimplementation of exams in Japan and abroad. As of the end of June 2022, exams in all the 12
fields (Nursing care, Building cleaning management, Machine parts and tooling / Industrial
machinery / Electric, electronics and information industries, Construction industry, Shipbuilding and ship machinery industry, Automobile repair and maintenance, Aviation industry,
Accommodation industry, Agriculture, Fishery and aquaculture, Manufacture of food andbeverages, Food service industry) have been implemented in Japan and 11 foreign countries(the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Nepal, Mongolia, Myanmar, Thailand, Viet Nam, Sri
Lanka, India and Uzbekistan).
The number of foreign nationals who have passed the skill exam has increased favorably,
totaling 98,305 (preliminary figure) as of the end of June, 2022.
In the future, while this depends on the containment of COVID-19, we will promote theexpansion of test sites and number of tests conducted both in Japan and overseas, theimplementation of efforts to improve sending procedures, and matching support based on
the actual situation in various fields, in order to encourage the smooth acceptance of foreign116Chapter 6

The System of Specified Skilled Worker

Part IInationals with the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker.

３

Status of Memorandum of Cooperation
As of the end of June, 2022, Memorandums of Cooperation have been entered into with 14
countries; the Philippines, Cambodia, Nepal, Myanmar, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Viet
Nam, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Thailand, India and Malaysia.
In accordance with these Memorandums of Cooperation, we share information andexchange opinions with the respective governments as necessary, and strive to address any
issues that are considered to require action in order to achieve the appropriate operation of
the Specified Skilled Worker system.

Section 4 Efforts for the Smooth Operation of theSpecified Skilled Worker System
１

Revision of the Government’s Basic Policy
Based on the actual situation of system operation, some changes were made to thegovernment's basic policy (Cabinet decision of April 26, 2022), which integrated the threemanufacturing fields (Machine parts and tooling industry, Industrial machinery industry, andElectric, electronics and information industry) into Machine parts and tooling / Industrial
machinery / Electric, electronics and information industries. The new integrated field started
operation from May 25, 2022, following the revision of relevant ministerial ordinances by the
MOJ and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

２

Revision of the Field-Specific Operation Policy
The Field-Specific Operation Policy was partially revised (Cabinet decision of February 28,2020), including addition of the seven work categories of “Scaffolding”, “Carpentry”, “Plumbing”, “Building Sheet Metal Work”, “Heat-Retention and Cool-Retention”, “Spray Urethane
Heat Insulation”, and “Offshore Civil Engineering” to the Construction industry field.

３

Revision of the Field-Specific Operation Manual
The Field-Specific Operation Manual was revised regarding the nursing care field (May10, 2019). Under the new provisions, EPA certified care worker candidates who have appropriately engaged in work and training for four years are deemed to have attained the skill
level and Japanese language proficiency level required for switching to a Specified Skilled
Worker (i), and are thus exempt from taking exams.
The Field-Specific Operation Manual was revised regarding persons who have completed
technical intern training (ii) with favorable results (November 29, 2019). Under the newprovisions, such persons are, as a rule, considered to not require certification of their Japanese language proficiency level by exams or any other evaluation method, regardless of theoccupation type or work type of the technical intern training they completed.

117

Part II

Chapter 6

４

The System of Specified Skilled Worker

Revision of the Exam Policy
The “Policy regarding Exams for Specified Skilled Workers” (February 2019, ISA of Japan,
MOJ) (hereinafter referred to as the “Exam Policy”) was adopted for exams pertaining to
the status of residence of Specified Skilled Worker. In accordance to this policy, exams areheld by the ministry, agency, or organization responsible for each field.
The Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals wasrevised on December 20, 2019. The scope of persons eligible to take the exams was revised,in response to the decision in the Comprehensive Measures to extend the scope in order topromote the seamless and appropriate acceptance of foreign nationals as Specified Skilled
Workers.
Previously, those eligible to take the exams in Japan were limited to “mid to long-term
residents and persons who have lived in Japan as a mid to long-term resident in the past”,
for example. Eligibility to take the domestic exams was revised to include “persons with astatus of residence”, thereby granting all persons with a status of residence the eligibility totake the exams. The exam policy was revised on January 30, 2020, taking effect on April 1.

５

Specified Skilled Worker System Promotion Projects
In order to promote the utilization of the Specified Skilled Worker system, from October
2020 to March 2021, we held job matching events for foreign nationals who want to workas specified skilled workers, and companies who want to hire foreign nationals as specified
skilled workers, as well as information seminars about the Specified Skilled Workers system
in general, in all 47 prefectures of Japan.
In FY 2021, in addition to continuing to hold online matching events in Japan, the ISA also
held online system and company seminars for foreign nationals living overseas. In FY 2022,
we plan to hold similar matching events in Japan and company seminars overseas.
Starting in September 2020, we opened the “Support Website for the Specified Skilled
Worker” to transmit information to business operators and foreign nationals, including an
outline of the Specified Skilled Worker system and exam information in each field. In addition
to plain Japanese, this site provides information in 12 foreign languages (English, Chinese,
Vietnamese, Philipino, Thai, Indonesian, Myanmarese, Nepali, Mongolian, Khmer, Sinhala, andUrdu).

118

Chapter 7

The Status of Operation of the Technical Intern Training Program

Part II

Chapter 7 The Status of Operationof the Technical Intern
Training Program

Technical Intern Training Act was established at the 192nd session of the Diet on
November 18, 2016, promulgated on the 28th of the same month, and entered into force on
November 1, 2017.
The status of operation of the technical intern training program pursuant to the enforcement of the Technical Intern Training Act is as follows.

Section 1 Status of Expansion of the Program１

Extension of the technical intern training period for excellent
supervising organizations and implementing organizations
Under the technical intern training program, technical intern trainees are able to proceed
to technical intern training (iii), the third stage of training (two years), following on fromtechnical intern training (i)(one year) and technical intern training (ii)(two years) provided
they engage in technical intern training under an excellent supervising organization andimplementing organization, and ever since the start of this program, the program has beenutilized in such manner as having former technical intern trainees first return to their homecountry after completion of technical intern training (ii) and then newly enter Japan once
again as a technical intern trainee (iii)(see Reference 4).

２

Expansion of the job categories
Under the program, a number of job categories subject to transfer such as the categoryof care worker (Operation : care worker) have been added when needed (85 job categories,
156 operations as of March 17, 2022). In addition, airport ground handling (Operation :aircraft ground support work, etc.) was added to the job categories and operations subject
to transfer as an enterprise-specific job category utilizing internal testing in the individualenterprise-type technical intern training in July, 2017.

Section 2
１

New Initiatives for Proper TechnicalIntern Training and Protection of theTechnical Intern Trainees

Business councils
The minister with jurisdiction over the business may form a business council consistingof the related organizations for each industry for the purpose of connecting to optimizationof the technical intern training in the relevant business field through sharing information

119Part II

Chapter 7

The Status of Operation of the Technical Intern Training Programon problematic cases and reviewing the voluntary standards. Therefore the Ministry ofAgriculture, Forestry and Fisheries established and convened the Fisheries Technical Intern
Training Business Council on December 13, 2017 and the Agricultural Training Intern Training Business Council on June 5, 2018, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport
and Tourism established and convened the Automobile Maintenance Business Council for
the Foreign National Technical Intern Training Program on February 19 of the same year,
the Business Council on Construction Field Technical Intern Training on March 26 of thesame year, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry established and convened the
Textile Industry Technical Intern Training Business Council on March 23 of the same year,
and since then, the councils have been meeting from time to time to share information andcreate voluntary guidelines for optimization of the technical intern training in each businessfield.

２

Regional councils
The issues and concerns of the technical intern training program differ depending on
the region where technical intern trainees are being accepted, and the organizations of
the national government and prefectural governments, and the Organization for TechnicalIntern Training collaborate with each other and hold regional councils divided into eightblocks (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu) in orderto promote information-sharing at a regional level of the measures aimed at securing proper
technical intern training, and during June and July, 2018, the regional council was establishedand the inaugural meeting was held in each block. Since then, councils in each region have
convened every year to share information and discuss their efforts to optimize technicalintern training.

Scene of a regional council

３

Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC)
Memorandum of Cooperation with the government of the sending country have beenentered into with 14 countries (Viet Nam, Cambodia, India, the Philippines, Laos, Mongolia,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Thailand and Indonesia) at
the end of 2021 with the aim of securing proper sending organizations. In addition, the MOJ,

120

Chapter 7

The Status of Operation of the Technical Intern Training Program

Part II

based on the agreements, has been striving to give out thorough information on the purposeof the Technical Intern Training Program and to foster understanding, and has maderequests for the securing of proper sending organizations by holding opinion exchanges withthe government of the sending countries and has also been attending seminars on explanations on the program in the partner country together with the Ministry of Health, Labourand Welfare, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and the Organization for TechnicalIntern Training.

Scene of opinion exchange basedon MOC

４

Protection of the technical intern trainees
In order to protect the technical intern trainees, the MOJ, along with the Ministry of
Health, Labor and Welfare which has joint jurisdiction over the technical intern training
program, give instructions on the protection measures for technical intern trainees to be
implemented by the Organization for Technical Intern Training.
The Organization for Technical Intern Training now has a consultation and reporting desk(telephone, emails and correspondence) in Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Tagalog, English, Thai, Khmer (Cambodian) and Myanmarese, which are the principal mother tonguesof the technical intern trainees, and as well as providing counseling and support for thetechnical intern trainees, on April 21, 2021, a dedicated contact counter was opened to offer
consultations on human rights violations such as assault and intimidation. They also strive toprotect the technical intern trainees by accepting reports from the technical intern trainees
pursuant to Article 49, paragraph (1) of the Technical Intern Training Act.
In addition, in cases where it has become difficult to continue with the technical interntraining at the training site due to the business problems of the accepting enterprise or various circumstances such as acts of violation of human rights, but where the technical intern

121

Part II

Chapter 7

The Status of Operation of the Technical Intern Training Program

trainee wishes to continue with the technical intern training, it is possible for the technicalintern trainee to change the training site, and in relation to this, the Organization for Technical Intern Training provides various kinds of support such as giving advice and counselingin response to consultations from the technical intern trainees, introducing training sites towhich the trainee will be able to transfer through the establishment of a website to provide
support to change the training site for supervising organizations, and also providing temporary housing facilities for those technical intern trainees for whom it has become difficult tostay in the housing facilities secured by the supervising organization, etc.
Immigration inspectors distribute Technical Intern Trainee Handbook, compilations of theabove consultation and support counters and other useful information for living in Japan, totechnical intern trainees newly entering Japan. In July 2021, this Technical Intern Trainee
Handbook was also released as a smartphone app (both physical and digital versions areavailable in 9 languages, including Vietnamese and Chinese).

５ Measures to Reduce Cases of Disappearance of Technical Intern Trainees
Ministerial ordinances were amended in line with the measures for improvement compiledby the “Project Team on Operation of the Technical Intern Training Program”, and measures such as suspending the acceptance of new technical intern trainees for a certain period
when supervising organizations, etc. have been responsible for causing disappearances, andrequiring remuneration payments to be made to technical intern trainees by wire transfer toa bank account, for example, were introduced in April 2020.
In addition to the above, in November 2019, measures to further enhance the measures for
improvement were compiled in order to reduce cases of disappearance of technical interntrainees. Below is an overview of the main measures.
- Suspension of acceptance of new technical intern trainees by sending organizations, supervising organizations, and implementing organizations which have caused disappearances, inconsideration of factors such as the degree of responsibility.
On the basis of disappearance rates and investigation results, measures such as the following will be taken: issuance of orders for suspension of projects involving the acceptance of
new technical intern trainees, revocation of license of supervising organizations, revocationof accreditation of training plans, and withholding of accreditation of plans pertaining to
the acceptance of new technical intern trainees.
- Criminal charging and disclosure of companies that hired technical intern trainees who
disappeared.
Through the uncovering of illegal foreign workers, etc., companies that hired technical intern trainees who disappeared will be subject to criminal charges, and the factual content
of the charges will be disclosed.
- Provision of information to supervising organizations and the like.
On December 24, 2019, a notice regarding the tightening of measures was sent directly tosupervising organizations and supervising-organization-type implementing organizations,along with a request to inform technical intern trainees of the consulting counter. In
addition, information was provided to technical intern trainees regarding the consulting
counter at the Organization for Technical Intern Training.
- Promoting the support system for technical intern trainees
In March 2021, with the purpose of contributing to proper implementation of technical122

Chapter 7

The Status of Operation of the Technical Intern Training Program

Part II

intern training such as preventing trainee disappearances and protecting the safety oftechnical intern trainees, the ISA has created public relations videos giving an outline of
the system and places to seek consultation for technical intern trainees, in ten languages
including Japanese, and published these on the ISA website.

123

Part II

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Chapter 8 Efforts for Acceptance andCoexistence of Foreign
Nationals

Section 1
１

Decision of the Roadmap for a Societyof Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign
Nationals

BackgroundAs described in Section 2-1 below, at the “Ministerial Conference on Acceptance and Coexistence with Foreign Nationals” (hereinafter referred to as “Ministerial Conference”) held on
December 25, 2018, “Comprehensive Measures for the Acceptance and Coexistence with Foreign Nationals” (hereinafter referred to as “Comprehensive Measures”) were decided. Since
then, the Comprehensive Measures have been revised and enhanced every year, and are
established in Japan as a direction for the realization of a society of harmonious coexistencewith foreign nationals, but are limited to dealing with short-term issues. It is necessary to
promote measures to realize a society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals morethan ever, considering the impact of the spread of the new coronavirus infection, so as not
to isolate foreign nationals who are legally residing in Japan, but accept them as members ofsociety.
Therefore, on January 29, 2021, with the purpose of not only responding to the short-term
issue of revising the Comprehensive Measures, but investigating the ideal state of a societyof harmonious coexistence and medium- to long-term challenges that should be addressedin order to realize the society, as well as reporting opinions to the Ministerial Conference,“Advisory Panel of Experts for the Realization of Society of Harmonious Coexistence with
Foreign Nationals” was decided to be convened and the opinion compiled by the Advisory
Panel was submitted to the Minister of Justice, co-chair of the Ministerial Conference, on
November 29 of the same year.
On June 14, 2022, based on the opinion, the Ministerial Conference decided the “Roadmap
for Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals” (hereinafter referred to as“Roadmap”), which show the visions of a society of coexistence to aim for, and the mediumto long-term issues that should be addressed. The government decided to work together
to further promote establishing an environment aimed to realize a society of harmonious
coexistence with foreign nationals.

２

Outline

The Roadmap indicates the four key points and specific measures for the four key points as
medium-to long-term issues to be addressed to realize three visions of a society of harmonious
coexistence with foreign nationals, as well as a work schedule for each measure.
The planning period of this Roadmap is for 5 years until FY 2026, and in order to ensure
the steady implementation of measures, the implementation status of the Roadmap is to be124

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Part II

assessed annually to confirm progress, and to review the measures as needed, while listening
to the opinions of experts.
[Visions on the society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals we aim for and medium- to long-term issues to be addressed][Three Visions]① A society where foreign nationals are included as members of Japanese future society,and where all people can live safely and comfortably② A diverse and vibrant society where all people, including foreign nationals, from various
backgrounds can participate and demonstrate their abilities to the fullest③ A society where all people, including foreign nationals, respect each other's individual
dignity and human rights and can live without discrimination or prejudice[Four Key Points]① Initiatives such as Japanese language education for smooth communication and participation in society② Disseminating information to foreign nationals / strengthening consultation system forforeign nationals③ Support for each life stage and life cycle④ Initiatives to establish the foundation of a society of harmonious coexistence

125Part II

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Reference 79

Outline of the Roadmap for Realizing a Society of Harmonious
Coexistence with Foreign Nationals

2 Ideal Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals (Three visions)

Safe and Comfortable
Society

Diverse and VibrantSocietySociety that
Respects Individual Dignity
and Human Rights

A society where foreign nationals areincluded as members of Japanese societyof the future, and where all people can live
safely and comfortably.

A diverse and vibrant society where
all people, including foreign nationals,
from various backgrounds can participate
and demonstrate their abilities to theirfullest.

A society where all people, including
foreign nationals, respect each other’s
individual dignity and human rights andcan live without discrimination or
prejudice.

3 Medium- to Long-term Issues to be Addressed (Four Key Points)
1 Initiatives such as Japanese language education for smooth communication and participation in society

2 Disseminating information to foreign nationals/Strengthening consultation systems for foreign nationals

3 Support for each life stage and life cycle

4 Initiatives to establish the foundation of a society of harmonious coexistence

4 Major Initiatives Related to the Key Points

1 Initiatives such as Japanese language education for smoothcommunication and participation in society Steadfastly promote initiatives to the creation of a comprehensive system for enhancement ofJapanese language education provided by prefectures and other entities and provide support
for Japanese language educational programs run jointly by municipalities and prefectures[MEXT]《1》 Development of educational models by discipline in accordance with the curriculum andproficiency criteria specified in the Framework of Reference for the Japanese Language
Education [MEXT] 《3》 Establishment of an environment for learning knowledge about Japanese social systems andother knowledge (open to those who are planning to come to Japan in the future) by creating
and utilizing daily life orientation videos (provide basic information necessary for living inJapan, basic Japanese language education), etc. [MOJ] 《6》 Development and provision of ICT lesson materials for Japanese language for different dailyoccasions, etc. [MEXT] 《8》2 Disseminating information to foreign nationals/strengthening
consultation systems for foreign nationals
 Formulation and publication of posting guidelines for the “Guidebook on Living and Working” and “A
Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals” [MOJ]《17》 Dissemination of information using Mynaportal, etc. [MOJ] 《18》
 Promoting the establishment of one-stop consulting counters by reviewing the subsidies for
preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals [MOJ] 《20》 Initiatives for multi-language translation/interpretation technologies focused on developing practicalsimultaneous interpretation technologies and expanding the priority languages to include 15
languages [MIC] 《23》 Joint consultation sessions by relevant organizations providing support to foreign nationals in local
communities [MOJ]《27》 Conducting training programs to promote plain Japanese, etc. [MOJ] [MEXT]《31》《32》 Promote the environment of Japanese language education abroad for foreign nationals to learnsmooth communication in Japanese before coming to Japan [MOFA]《9》 Establishment of certification system for Japanese language institutions and Japanese
language teacher qualification system [MEXT]《11》3 Support for each life stage and life cycle Launch community-based programs that provide opportunities for parents and their children tomeet up and consult about their concerns and problems encountered in parenting [MHLW]《33》
 Promote integrated management and identification of the school enrollment status of foreign
children by collaborating the Basic Resident Registration system and the school-age children
registration system [MEXT]《36》 Promote efforts to set special admission quotas for foreign students for public high school
entrance examinations and make necessary adjustments for foreign examinees [MEXT]《47》 Introduce Japanese language tutoring system to the high school curriculum [MEXT]《49》 Dispatch expert consultants and interpreters to the career service sections for foreign nationals
at the Hello Work to provide consultation services and provide support for international
students at career service centers for foreign nationals, etc. [MHLW] 《57》
 Provide job training for foreign residents based on their Japanese proficiency levels [MHLW]《61》
 Continue and enhance of publicizing and public relations concerning the pension system[MHLW] 《63》 Grasp of actual condition by “Basic Survey on Foreign Residents,” etc. [MOJ] 《66》

5 Promotional Framework126

4 Initiatives to establish the foundation of a society of harmonious coexistence Establishment of “Month for Raising Public Awareness of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals"(tentative name), and implement of various events to raise public awareness, etc. [MOJ]《67》《68》 Further promote and enhance education based on cross-cultural understanding and multicultural coexistence
through school programs [MEXT]《71》 Creation and publication of new statistical tables to analyze the living situations of foreign residents by nationality,
status of residence, industry, etc., by utilizing the statistics on foreign residents in Japan, etc. [MOJ] 《74》 Prepare statistics used to manage labor conditions and other labor aspects for foreign nationals and keep
track of the labor transition to and from Japan, etc. [MHLW] 《75》
 Trial project to support the efforts of private support groups to provide outreach support to foreign residents[MOJ] 《80》 Consideration of efforts towards construction of a centralized information management system required for residency
management at the Immigration Services Agency [MOJ]《82》 Integrate Individual Number Cards(My Number Card) and residence cards to improve convenience [MOJ] 《85》 Consideration of training support staff for foreign nationals and a certification system for highly specialized
support staff, etc. [MOJ] 《86》 The planning period is until FY2026.
 Track the progress through annual assessment while interviewing experts and update the measures as needed Clearly indicate initiatives, in the Comprehensive Measures, which are to be implemented within the applicable fiscal year

Chapter 8

Section 2
１

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Part II

Revision of Comprehensive Measures ofAcceptance and Coexistence of Foreign
Nationals

Background
The “Basic Policy on Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2018” (approved in
the Cabinet on June 15, 2018) stipulated the establishment of a new status of residence inorder to expand the acceptance of foreign human resources with a certain degree of expertise and skills, and at the same time, the MOJ came to serve as the command center withgeneral coordination functions in order to develop the environment for acceptance of foreign
nationals, and strengthen cooperation with the related ministries and agencies and local
governments.
Based on this, it was decided at the Cabinet meeting held on July 24, 2018 that the MOJ
would be authorized to carry out the general coordination functions to develop the environment for acceptance of foreign nationals, and moreover, the “Ministerial Conference on
Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals” (hereinafter referred to as “Ministerial
Conference”) was established in order to conduct a government-wide comprehensive study
with regard to the acceptance of new foreign nationals and preparation of the environment
for acceptance with the close collaboration of the relevant administrative agencies.
At the 3rd Ministerial Conference held on December 25, 2018, the Comprehensive Measures were decided, and since then it has been revised four times.
Most recently, on June 14, 2022, along with the decision of the Roadmap, we revised theComprehensive Measures (FY 2022 revised) based on the Roadmap, with the perspective offurther enhancing the environment for accepting foreign nationals.

２

Outline
The Comprehensive Measures indicate the direction to be aimed for in relation to theacceptance and harmonious coexistence of foreign nationals, in order to achieve the purposeof contributing to the realization of a society where Japanese nationals and foreign nationals
are able to live safely and comfortably together through the proper acceptance of foreign
nationals and to realize a society of harmonious coexistence.
The Comprehensive Measures (FY 2022 revised) includes a total of 218 measures (Reference 80).
In the FY 2022 revision, the Comprehensive Measures indicate the measures that shouldbe implemented in FY 2022 in the Roadmap and the measures that are not included in the
Roadmap itself because they are not necessary measures that should be implemented overthe medium- to long-term, but should be addressed by the government to realize a society ofharmonious coexistence with foreign nationals.
Also, the government will make across-the-board efforts to realize a society of harmonious
coexistence by working together to continue to annually assess the situation of implementation of the Roadmap and periodically following up on the Comprehensive Measures.

127

128
June 14, 2022
Ministerial Conference on Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Outline of Comprehensive Measures for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals(FY 2022 revised)○ Support, etc. for foreign nationals, especially those in infancy and school ages
➢ Launch of community-based programs that provide opportunities for parents and their children to meet up and consult about their concerns andproblems encountered in parenting [MHLW] <Policy 51>➢ Promotion of integrated management and identification of the school enrollment status of foreign children by collaborating between the Basic Resident
Registration system and the school-age children registration system <Policy 54>➢ Provision of information and consulting services regarding health and hygiene in schools for foreign students through professional platform andimplementation of surveys and research concerning the support from local governments .<Policy 56>○ Support, etc. for foreign nationals, especially those in the early stage of adolescence and adulthood➢ Promotion of efforts to set special admission quotas for foreign students for public high school entrance examinations and make necessary adjustments
for foreign examinees, and encouraging introduction of a system that allows Japanese language tutoring to be included in high school curriculums<Policy 59>➢ Implementing career development support measures for foreign children on a trial basis to help them design appropriate career paths and considering
specific measures toward this objective <Policy 61>○ Support, etc. for foreign nationals, especially those in adolescence and adulthood① Support for employment for international students, etc.
➢ Providing employment support to international students through the Employment Service Center for Foreigners, etc.<Policy 66>➢ Promotion of employment and successful work life of international students through the formation of regional consortiums for supporting highly skilled
foreign professionals <Policy 87>② Support at work
➢ Dissemination and promotion of utilization of bi-directional educational video training materials and guidebooks in workplaces for Japanese employees
and foreign national employees <Policy 88>➢ Providing career counseling through expert consultants and interpreters at employment service counters for foreign nationals at Hello Work <Policy 90>➢ Providing vocational training for settled foreign residents with special considerations to their Japanese proficiency levels and promoting assignment ofvocational training coordinators for settled foreign residents <Policy 93>③ Ensuring an appropriate work environment, etc.
➢ Promoting the Collection of Points and Example Sentences That Can Be Used in Labor Management at Workplaces with Foreign Employees and otheruseful materials <Policy 95>○ Support, etc. for foreign nationals, especially those in old age➢ Continued publicizing and public relations concerning the pension system and consideration of enhancement of it <Policy 107>
○ Support common to all life stages➢ Grasp of actual situation by “Basic Survey on Foreign Residents”, etc. <Policy 21 (reposted)>

Support for each life stage and life cycle○ Enhancement of information dissemination from the perspective of foreign nationals➢ Formulation and publication of posting guidelines for the “Guidebook on Living and Working” and “A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals” <Policy 23>➢ Consideration of prompt collection of information and dissemination of tailor-made and push information through Mynaportal, etc. <Policy 24>○ Strengthening the consultation system to help foreign nationals with their problems➢ Consideration of measures that facilitate the establishment of one-stop consulting counters by the local governments, for example enhancing the subsidies for
preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals <Policy 35>➢ Taking effective and efficient supporting measures for creating an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals to Japanese society by FRESC,
implementing joint consultation sessions by relevant organizations providing support to foreign nationals in local communities, and so on <Policy 36>➢ Efforts towards realizing practical-level simultaneous interpretation utilizing multilingual translation technology and expanding the priority languages to 15
languages <Policy 37>➢ Consideration of the development and improvement of counseling services that reflect the needs of foreign nationals identified through consultation offices andimplementation of development and improvement actions based on the results of the consideration <Policy 44>○ Further promotion the use of plain Japanese in information dissemination and consultation services➢ Summarizing points to consider when speaking in plain Japanese, etc. and supporting local governments in their initiatives <Policy 48>

Disseminating information to foreign nationals/Strengthening consultation systems for foreign nationals○ Establishment of an environment that enables foreign nationals to acquire the Japanese language skills necessary for daily life
➢ Creation of a comprehensive system for enhancement of Japanese language education promoted by prefectural governments, etc., Japanese language
education support jointly provided by local governments, and improvement of the level of Japanese language education in local communities utilizing the“Framework of Reference for the Japanese Language Education” <Policy 1>➢ Development of educational models by discipline in accordance with the curriculum and proficiency criteria specified in the “Framework of Reference for theJapanese Language Education” <Policy 3>➢ Development and provision of ICT lesson materials for Japanese language for different daily occasions, etc. <Policy 4>➢ Consideration of establishment of an environment for learning knowledge about Japanese social systems, etc. by creating and utilizing daily life orientation
videos, etc. <Policy 7>➢ Supporting foreign nationals smoothly settle into Japanese society by spreading information about local financial measures for regional life orientation <Policy 8>➢ Consideration of the necessity of further improvement of the Japanese language education environment and related matters <Policy 14>○ Improvement of the quality of Japanese language education, etc.
➢ Establishment of certification system for Japanese language education institutions and Japanese language teacher qualification system <Policy 5 (reposted)>

Smooth and appropriate acceptance of foreign nationals*1: Underlines indicate policies that are not related to the Roadmap for the Realization of Society of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals. *2: Policy Nos. in red indicate new policies.

○ Raising awareness to realize a society of harmonious coexistence➢ Consideration of establishment of “Month for Raising Public Awareness of Harmonious Coexistence with Foreign Nationals" (tentative name), andimplementation of various events to raise public awareness, etc. <Policy 155>
➢ Consideration of publication of a white paper summarizing the status of implementation of governmental measures for harmonious coexistence with foreign
nationals <Policy 156>
➢ Implementation of practical research concerning different instructions in areas with high and low concentration of foreigners <Policy 55 (reposted)>○ Improvement of government statistics to investigate on the actual living conditions of foreign nationals, etc.
➢ Creation and publication of new statistics to analyze the living situations of foreign residents utilizing the statistics on foreign residents in Japan, etc. <Policy
161>➢ Preparation of statistics used to manage labor conditions and other labor aspects for foreign nationals and keep track of the migration of workforce to and fromJapan, etc. [MHLW] <Policy 162>
○ Enhancement of information collections and strengthening of cooperation, etc. among relevant organizations for the development of infrastructure for realizing asociety of harmonious coexistence➢ Promotion of support for foreign nationals and improvement of the environment for acceptance of them through development of highly professional Accepting
Environmental Coordinators <Policy 164>
➢ Enhancement and strengthening of information dissemination, etc. through implementation of trial project to support the efforts of private support groups toprovide outreach support to foreign nationals <Policy 165>
➢ Consideration of enhancement of cooperation between related organizations in the consultation offices and the counseling function of the Immigration
Information Centers <Policy 166>
➢ Consideration of efforts towards construction of a centralized information management system required for residency management at the Immigration Services
Agency <Policy 167>
➢ Consideration of expansion of procedures to be made online and of construction of a system that enables users to use their own information on Mynaportal<Policy 168>➢ Consideration of improvement of the environment for acquisition of Individual Number Cards(My Number Card) and efforts towards the integration of residencecards and Individual Number Cards <Policy 169>
➢ Consideration of provision of support to foreign nationals with life problems, such as development of specialist supporters <Policy 6 (reposted)>➢ Consideration of how data should be provided to contribute to planning and establishing measures for harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals <Policy170>➢ Implementation of publication for promoting appropriate use of Basic Resident Registration information thorough communication of information to local
governments. <Policy 171>
○ Creating a system where foreign nationals also play an active role in a society of harmonious coexistence➢ Provision of support to international students aiming to qualify as certified care workers, including allocation of scholarships <Policy 184>
➢ Promotion of efforts for multicultural coexistence by related organizations in Japan and enhancement of their networking through ODA programs <Policy 185>
➢ Provision of support to leading efforts by local governments through the Subsidy Program for Promotion of Regional Revitalization <Policy 186>
➢ Publicizing of the foreign beautician training project for National Strategic Special Zones and promotion of related preferential measures <Policy 187>
○ Construction of the residency management system as a foundation for a society of harmonious coexistence① Strengthening the foundation of residency management➢ Consideration of revisions concerning the “permanent resident” status, such as revision of the requirements for acquisition of the status and responses tosituation changes after acquisition <Policy 189>
➢ Further optimizing the operations of the refugee recognition system through clarifying normative elements on the eligibility for refugee status, etc.<Policy 190>
➢ Strengthen screening for the acceptance of students, researchers and other people from outside Japan that contributes to preventing leakage of sensitivetechnology through cooperation with related organizations <Policy 195>
② Accurate management of international student enrollment➢ Stricter examinations of residence status, such as not permitting the acceptance of international students, for institutes like universities, that do not appropriately
manage international student enrollment <Policy 200>
③ Further optimization of the Technical Intern Training Program➢ Establishment of a system that integrates the counseling and instruction functions in the Technical Intern Training Program and consideration of online system ofapplication and other procedures <Policy 97 (reposted)>➢ Strengthening of on-site inspections as measures against disappearance of technical intern trainees, terminating acceptance of new technical intern trainees
from sending organizations with a large number of missing technical intern trainees, and promoting joint efforts with related organizations to prevent technicalintern trainees from running away, such as publication of a leaflet on prevention of missing technical intern trainees <Policy 206>
④ Strengthening of measures against illegal foreign residents➢ Improvement of the system towards further promotion of repatriation of deportation evaders and early establishment of a legal framework that enables further
optimization of the deportation procedures <Policy 215>

Initiatives to establish the foundation of a society of harmonious coexistence○ Employment support, etc. for specified skilled workers and other measures➢ Provision of information through field-specific councils, etc. and improvement of the working environment for foreign human resources <Policy 127>
○ Smooth implementation of skill exams and Japanese language tests for Specified Skilled Workers, and dissemination and smooth utilization of theSpecified Skilled Worker System, etc.
➢ Consideration of the addition of fields covered in the Specified Skilled Worker (ii), reorganization of business categories and revision of the expected
numbers of Specified Skilled Workers to be accepted, and discussion of reviewing the Specified Skilled Worker System and Technical Intern Training
Program <Policy 139>
○ Elimination of malicious intermediary organizations, etc.
➢ Consideration of measures for reinforcing partnerships with relevant organizations in developing countries through ODA programs <Policy 153>
○ Expansion of the Japanese language education base abroad➢ Promotion of efforts to reinforce the foundation for Japanese language education through the Japan Foundation and to disseminate attractiveness ofJapanese culture and society,etc. <Policy 13 (reposted)>

Chapter 8

Initiatives such as Japanese language education for smooth communication and participation in society As of the end of 2021, the number of foreign nationals residing in Japan was 2.76 million. The number of foreign workers as of the end of October 2021 was 1.73 million (a record high).
 Formulated from the point of view of further enhancing the environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals and based on the Roadmap for the Realization of a Society of Harmonious Coexistencewith Foreign Nationals (218 policies).
 The government will make across-the-board efforts to realize a society of harmonious coexistence by working together to continue to steadily implement relevant measures and periodically following
up on the Comprehensive Measures.

Reference 80

Part II
Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Part II

Section 3 Major Efforts in which the ISA is involved
１

Support for the establishment and operation of a one-stop consulting counters throughsubsidies for preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals
Financial assistance through the “subsidies for preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals” (referred to below as “subsidies”) is provided for the measuresfor establishment and operation of the one-stop consulting counters through which the local
governments provide information and advices so that when a foreign national has somequestions or concerns about various matters related to life such as the residence procedures,
employment, medical care, welfare, childbirth, child care or child education, he or she will beable to receive appropriate information or will be able to quickly reach a place that offers
advices and consultations. The subsidies were granted to 218 local governments in FY 2021,
and to 228 local governments in FY 2022 as of April 1, 2022. It is expected that the one-stop
consulting counters that have received a subsidy will provide appropriate information to thepersons seeking advices through consultations offered in numerous languages and throughcoordination with the relevant organizations.
Extraordinary measures have been taken to allow the maximum amount of subsidies for
preparations for an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals to be set twice asmuch as the subsidy limit along with operating costs for cases in which special responses
were made for the purpose of providing information related to COVID-19 from March 10,2020 to March 31, 2022.

２ Cooperation with local governments, etc. through Accepting Environmental Coordinators
In April 2019, “Accepting Environmental Coordinators” were assigned to the Regional
Immigration Services Bureaus, and officers of the Regional Immigration Services Bureaus(excluding the Airport District Immigration Services Offices and some branch offices) aresent to some one-stop consulting counters based on a request from the local government,
while information and trainings are provided to the officers of the local governments engaging in consultation services.
It will lead to the promotion of multicultural coexistence policies in each region that collaboration and cooperation with local governments, enhancing and strengthening information
gathering in regional areas and so on by improving the system for Accepting Environmental
Coordinators. In addition, useful information, such as good practices obtained through efforts
by Accepting Environmental Coordinators is given to the local governments.

129

Part II

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Efforts made by Accepting
Environmental Coordinators（view of lecture）

３

Efforts made by Accepting
Environmental Coordinators（view of counselor dispatch）

Support at the Foreign Residents Support Center (FRESC)
Following the decision in “the Basic Policy on Operations for the Development of an
Environment for Acceptance of Foreign Nationals (Cabinet decision of July 24, 2018)” tostrengthen cooperation between the relevant ministries and agencies, cooperate with local
governments, and develop an environment for the acceptance of foreign nationals in an effective and efficient manner, the Foreign Residents Support Center was opened on July 2020.
FRESC has one floor with representatives from four ministries and agencies, as well as eight
other organizations involved in residence support for foreign nationals (Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau; Tokyo Legal Affairs Bureau, Human Rights Department; Japan
Legal Support Center (Houterasu)).
At FRESC, the organizations collaborate to provide consultation on extending and changing status of residence, as well as legal troubles. They also answer inquiries from one-stop
consulting counters established by local governments. They support holding training sessions
and giving information to local government staff. In addition, the Tokyo Employment Service
Center for Foreigners (Hello Work) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) holdinformational seminars for foreign students and small to medium enterprises, in order topromote the employment of highly skilled foreign professionals.
By establishing a hub for supporting foreign residents, the development of an environment
for the acceptance of foreign nationals will be promoted in a much more comprehensive andeffective manner.

130Chapter 8 Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Part II

Scene of consultation at the Foreign
Residents Support Center (FRESC)

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/fresc/fresc01.html

４Support at the Immigration Information Center
The ISA has set up Immigration Information Centers at each Regional Immigration Services Bureau and District Immigration Services Offices (except Airport District Immigration
Services Offices, including consultation counters of Regional Immigration Services Bureau
and District Immigration Services Offices, which are implemented as general consultation
services for foreign residents, hereinafter referred to as “Centers”), as consultation countersthat mainly provide guidance on immigration procedures related to status of residence.
In recent years, with the impact of COVID-19, there is a growing need to deal with the
problems faced by foreign residents in their daily lives. Therefore, in addition to conventional
guidance on immigration procedures, the Centers will also provide consultations on generallife issues, and serve as a gateway to support for staying in Japan.

131Part II

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Scene of the Immigration Information Center

５ Providing information to foreign residents through the “Guidebook on Living and Working”, etc.
The ISA, with cooperation from a wide range of sections of the government, has compiled
a “Guidebook on Living and Working” that covers basic information (residency procedures,
labor-related laws and regulations, social insurance, crime prevention, traffic safety, etc.)
necessary for foreign residents to lead their lives and take up employment in Japan safely
and securely, and has published this guidebook in 16 languages (*) on “A Daily Life Support
Portal for Foreign Nationals” website.

(*) Japanese (Including Plain Japanese), English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Nepali, Thai,
Indonesian, Burmese(Myanmar language), Khmer (Cambodian), Filipino, Mongolian, Turkish and Ukrainian.

132

Chapter 8 Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Part II

Guidebook on Living and Working

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/guidebook_all.html

６Plain Japanese Guidelines for Foreign Residents Support
In order to promote the use of plain Japanese by the national government, local governments, and other entities, an expert committee on the “Plain Japanese Guidelines for Foreign
Residents Support” was convened in February 2020, and the “Plain Japanese Guidelines for
Foreign Residents Support” were created in August 2020.
These guidelines are available on “A Daily Life Support Portal for Foreign Nationals” on
the ISA website. In addition, based on the results of the report by the "Review Meeting for
the Promotion of Information Provision through the Use of Plain Japanese" held in FY 2021,
we are promoting the dissemination and the use of plain Japanese by informing local governments and relevant ministries and agencies and providing training for local government
officials.

133

Part II

Chapter 8

Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Plain Japanese image character“Kotorin”

Plain Japanese Guidelines for
Foreign Residents Support

https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/support/portal/plainjapanese_guideline.html

134Chapter 8 Efforts for Acceptance and Coexistence of Foreign Nationals

Part II

Article: At the Front Line of Immigration Control Administration(Voice of the immigration oﬃcer in charge of residency support)(Residence Support Department, Tokyo Regional Immigration Services
Bureau: Kai Saori)

I belong to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau Foreign Residents
Support Department, which is a new department established in April 2021. I work at
FRESC in Shinjuku City, where we cooperate with related organizations that are also
residents of FRESC, and implement various support measures related to the resident offoreign nationals.
Specifically, the ISA operates the FRESC Help Desk, which handles individual consultations by appointment only and telephone consultations for foreign nationals residing
in Japan who are experiencing financial difficulties due to the impact of COVID-19, andalso support local governments working to support foreign nationals. We are also taking
on the challenge of new initiatives that have never been done before at the Immigration Bureau, such as support for one-stop consulting counters, the popularization ofplain Japanese, and the creation of videos to help foreign junior and senior high school
students understand the system.
I am involved in the consultation work of the “FRESC Help Desk”, and I handle awide range of consultations other than immigration control and residency managementadministration, so I support problem solving in cooperation with problem solving incooperation with Japan Legal Support Center (Houterasu）, the Tokyo Labor Bureau,
who have offices in FRESC. This is difficult work because in order to fulfill this role,
I must have a high degree of expertise, such as understanding of the background of
foreign nationals, specialized knowledge of the Japanese system, and consideration forthe privacy of people seeking consulters.
When providing consultation to refugees in Japan, I found that the evacuees wererelieved that their safety was secured, but as they are living in a foreign country, they
are worried about the “language barrier” and “cultural differences”, and they "worry
what will happen in the future." In those circumstances, I remembered the time when I
started living alone, and when I had problems, I often consulted with my mother. Whensomeone is in trouble, confiding their worries to someone else is the first step that leads
to peace of mind. Therefore, I approach my daily work with the hope that I made thepeople I consulted with feel a little better
afterwards.
Although there is a limit to what administrative agencies can do, I will study various
laws, regulations, systems, etc. related to thecontent of consultations, and discuss the content of responses with other counselors, andcontinue working so that foreign nationals living in Japan can receive appropriate support The immigration officer inand reduce their anxiety as much as possible.
charge of residency support

135

Part II

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Chapter 9 Measures against Illegal

and Imposter Foreign
Residents, etc.

Section 1 Implementation of Measures against
Illegal Foreign Residents
１

Past Efforts to Reduce the Number of Illegal Foreign Residents
Based on the “Five-Year Plan to Halve the Number of Illegal Foreign Residents” launchedin 2004, each Regional Immigration Bureau (at that time) has actively promoted various
measures, including strict implementation of landing/residence examinations, proactive public
relations activities regarding illegal employment, strengthened detection by the Special Detection Officer Units (see subsection 2 (1) below), etc. wider application of custody transfer
in accordance with Article 65 of the Immigration Control Act and the encouragement of theappearances of illegal foreign residents under the departure order system. As a result, thenumber of illegal foreign residents, which was approximately 250,000 at the start of the plan,decreased to approximately 130,000 as of January 2009, and its goal was almost accomplished.
Based on the “Action Plan 2008 for the Realization of a Society Resistant to Crime” aiming
to “create a society that generates no illegal foreign residents under the new residency management system”, as the Immigration Bureau (at that time) has continued efforts to further
reduce the number of foreign nationals illegally staying, consequently the number of foreign
nationals overstaying their authorized period of stay was decreased to approximately 59,000
as of January 1, 2014.
However, after the number of foreign nationals overstaying their authorized period of stayincreased for the first time in 22 years to reach approximately 60,000 as of the time of January 1, 2015, the number as of January 1 of each previous year had increased for six consecutive years, but as of January 1, 2021, this number has decreased slightly from the previous
year to about 83,000 and as of January 1. 2022, it has dropped significantly to about 67,000.

２ Efforts to Further Reduce the Number of Illegal Foreign Residents
As a result of the above efforts, the number of illegal foreign residents has seen a steadydecline, but due to the rapid increase in the number of foreign nationals entering Japanthrough the various measures being taken by the government aimed at making Japan atourism-oriented country, in recent years, there was an increasing trend, and while thenumber of new foreign nationals entering Japan decreased significantly since 2020 due to
COVID-19, the number illegally overstaying may increase, and therefore efforts will be madeto maintain a corresponding structure to crack down on these illegal foreign residents, andmoreover, to strengthen the following measures and further reduce the number of illegal
foreign residents.

136

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Part II(1) Strengthened Detection
The ISA has established the “Special Detection Officer Units” that are to engage full-timein detecting offenders in violation of the Immigration Act and locate the unit in large city
areas where there are many illegal foreign residents, by which the Regional Immigration
Services Bureau has reinforced the ability to detect illegal foreign residents, has strengthened cooperation with the local police authorities and has promoted joint detection.
In addition, since it has come to the ISA’s attention that illegal foreign residents tend to
be concentrated in smaller groups and are scattered throughout the country, these days
the ISA is making efforts to improve collection and analysis of various kinds of information
pertaining to illegal foreign residents and to promote efficient and effective exposure throughassembling immigration control officers who engage in detection tailored to the target of thedetection.
(2) Preparation of an Environment Facilitating Voluntary Appearance
The ISA has introduced the departure order system as a measure to encourage illegal
foreign residents existing in various parts of the country to voluntarily appear at the immigration office, and also took other measures, including a revision of the “Guidelines on Special
Permission to Stay in Japan” (*1) and publication of such cases, as well as public relations
activities to encourage voluntary appearance at an immigration office.
The departure order system is a system where, unlike with the deportation procedures,
foreign nationals staying illegally beyond their authorized period of stay, who meet certain
criteria such as appearing in person to make a declaration in order to depart from Japan,
are able to depart through simple procedures without being detained (see Part 1, Section
5, Subsection 5 below). 4,410 foreign nationals were issued with a departure order based on
this system in 2021.
Meanwhile, the “Guidelines on Special Permission to Stay in Japan”, which was approved
and announced in 2006 was revised in July 2009 in order to increase the transparency of theoperations. The revised guideline shows that if an illegal foreign resident voluntarily appears
at the immigration office, this is considered a positive factor in the judgment on adjustmentof their legal status.
The ISA is also taking measures to further publicize the departure order system and therevised guideline on special permission to stay in Japan by conducting active public relations
activities, improving the environment for voluntary appearances and aiming to encourage
illegal foreign residents to voluntarily appear at the immigration office(*2).

(*1) In order to ensure further improvement of the transparency and equity of the special permission to stay, theISA formulated and published the “Guidelines on Special Permission to Stay in Japan”. The guideline articulates
what elements are considered positive elements and what are considered negative elements in determining whether
special permission to stay should be granted or not and presents what points are considered in determining
whether special permission to stay should be granted or not (https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/
nyuukokukanri01_00008.html).
(*2) Examples of public relations activities:(i)	 We hold the “Month to Promote Appropriate Employment of Foreign Nationals to Realize a Harmonious Society”
and conduct publicity related to preventing illegal employment.
(ii)	 A page for “Procedures for Voluntary Appearance at the Immigration Office” was created on the websites of the
MOJ and the ISA in order to give clear explanations of the benefits of a voluntary appearance at the immigration
office and the procedures after the appearance both to those wishing to return to their home country and to thosewishing to continue staying in Japan.(https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/publications/materials/nyukan_nyukan87.html)

137

Part II

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Section 2 Implementation of Measures against
Imposter Foreign Residents
１

Countermeasures against Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.
“Imposter residents” are foreign nationals residing in Japan having illegally received entry
or landing permission as though they came under one of the statuses of residence having
disguised their identity or activities such as by using forged or altered documents or false
documents under the cover of a fake marriage, fake studies or fake employment, etc., or they
may not necessarily have concealed the purpose of their activities from the onset but are
currently engaged in illegal work which is far removed from their actual status of residence,and therefore, taking measures against imposter residents is also an important task in termsof immigration control and residency management administration along with measuresagainst illegal residents. “Imposter residents” appear on the surface to be legal residents,
which makes it difficult to accurately ascertain their situation, but their increase in number isa cause for concern since they substantively orchestrate illegal entry and residence in Japan.
Since the existence of imposter residents abusing the system of status of residence isrelated to the foundation of immigration control and residency management in Japan, it
cannot be overlooked, and therefore the ISA has been striving to respond strictly to clarify
the realities of these kinds of cases through detailed investigations and has been enforcing
deportation procedures against persons coming under the grounds for deportation andenforcing the procedures for revocation of the status of residence of persons coming under
the grounds for revocation of the status of residence.
In addition, in recent years, there has been a significant number of cases where foreign nationals use forged or altered residence cards or abuse the refugee recognition system. Since
these methods are becoming more malicious and sophisticated, the ISA closely collaborate
with the police and other related organizations, and in malicious cases, the ISA proactively
seeks criminal punishment and deal strictly with such persons, and also strives to work on
measures to uncover the situation of these cases.

２

Crackdown on Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

(1) Reinforcement of the Collection and Analysis of Information
In order to promote measures against imposter foreign residents, it is very important tocarry out further effective crackdowns by uncovering such residents based on the collection
and analysis of information.
For this reason, the ISA accurately grasps the residence status and work status of foreign
nationals by conducting advanced analysis of various kinds of information such as a wide
range of information provided by the public, information provided by the organizations towhich foreign nationals belong, information on the employment status of foreign nationals
provided by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and information shared from therelevant organizations. Regional Immigration Services Bureau utilize the analysis results toeffectively uncover and crack down on imposter foreign residents and deal strictly with such
persons.

138

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Part II(2) Handling Through Reinforced Exposure and Proactive Application ofLaw
In order to work on proactive exposure of imposter residents, when as a result of an investigation, a foreign national who resides in Japan with a status of residence which has restrictions on the contents of the activities is discovered engaging solely in a work activity which
is not permitted with his/her status of residence previously granted, deportation procedures
will be executed against such a foreign national as a violator engaging in an unauthorized
activity.
In addition, even if a foreign national does not fall under the grounds for deportation, the
ISA has been making efforts to reinforce crackdowns through such means as having immigration control officers and immigration inspectors coordinate to uncover the actual situationof the foreign national, and if a foreign national is found to fall under the grounds for revocation of the status of residence, the procedure for revocation of the status of residence will beinstituted.

３ Strict Handling of Brokers Involved in Aiding Illegal Residence and Imposter Residence
Article 24 of the Immigration Control Act provides that anyone coming under any of thefollowing grounds for deportation will be deported: a person who has prepared or otherwise
provided forged or false documents for the purpose of having another foreign national illegally acquire permission; a person who has had another foreign national engage in illegal
work; a person who possesses forged residence cards for the purpose of using them; and aperson who has forged or otherwise provided residence cards. In close cooperation with thepolice and other agencies, the ISA proactively exposes brokers and other offenders involved
in aiding foreign nationals overstaying their authorized period of stay and imposter foreign
residents pursuant to the provisions of this Article, and moreover, takes stringent actions
against those unlawful employers who are involved in the crime of aiding with illegal employment.

４

Countermeasures against the Forging of Residence Cards
Under the new residency management system launched in July 2012, mid to long-term
residents are issued with residence cards, and special permanent residents are issued withspecial permanent resident certificates. Since these serve as certificates, and it is necessary
to protect their social credibility, various forgery prevention measures are provided on thefaces of them. However, forgery techniques have become more elaborate and the cases
have occurred where forged residence cards were created by illegally taking advantage ofinquiries on expiration information in recent year; therefore it is urgent to enhance countermeasures against forgery.
An IC chip data reading application providing a function for reading the content of the IC
chip such as residence cards by smartphone or the like and confirming that the information
has not been forged or altered was introduced and is distributed free of charge on the ISA
website from December 2020.

139

Part II

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Article: At the Front Line of Immigration Control Administration(Voice of the immigration control officer in charge of immigration security in general)(Enforcement Department, Sendai Regional Immigration Services
Bureau: Kato Satoshi)

I am an immigration control officer belonging to the Sendai Regional Immigration
Services Bureau Enforcement Department. Among the violation investigation work,
treatment work, enforcement work, and notification / cancellation investigation work
handled by this department, I am mainly in charge of violation investigation work andtreatment work.
Our department is not subdivided like a large-scale bureau, and the ISA has limited
personnel who do all the work related to deportation procedures. The Enforcement
Department works together as one big team every day, so I feel that the connections
between staff members are strong.
The Sendai Bureau has jurisdiction over six prefectures in the Tohoku region, and one
thing I have to be aware of while working at the Sendai Bureau is that after the 2011
Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, earthquakes thought to be aftershocks still occur
quite frequently.
The deterioration of road traffic functions and the impact on transportation facilities
caused by the earthquake often affect our work, as foreign nationals who were scheduled to appear may not be able to appear as scheduled, and sometimes it is difficult tomove to the airport on the day of departure for foreign nationals who have undergone
procedures in our department and are scheduled to return to their country.
The COVID-19 epidemic has not subsided since 2020, and even in 2022 new infections
continue to occur, making a significant impact on deportation operations. In my department, we are taking infection prevention measures in order to carry out our duties
smoothly. In particular, when detaining foreign nationals who violate the Immigration
Control Act, in addition to the usual health checks, we do body temperature measurement and conduct antigen tests without exception. Also, during the period of detention,
we take sufficient infection prevention measures, such as checking body temperaturesand checking for poor physical condition every morning and evening.
Also, in the event of unforeseen
circumstances or unusual cases, notonly the immigration control officer
belonging to the Enforcement Department, but also immigration inspectors
belonging to the Inspection Department, the staff of the General Affairs
Section, and the staff of the branch
offices under our jurisdiction all cooperate to respond as an entire bureau, and
The immigration control officer in
if necessary, cooperate with related charge of immigration security inorganizations to respond to some cases. general140

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Part II

Recently, in the midst of international disputes such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine,
supporting Ukrainian citizens who have evacuated to Japan is not a role limited to the
Sendai Bureau, but a shared role of everyone in the ISA, as we are all involved in building a society of harmonious coexistence with foreign nationals.
I not only carry out deportation procedures for illegal foreign residents as an immigration control officer, but keep my ears perked to the ever-changing international situation
as a staff member of the ISA. I will always pay attention to sensitive information anddo my daily duties with a sense of urgency, in order to realize a society where Japanesenationals and foreign nationals can coexist with peace of mind.

Section 3 Efforts for Further Appropriate
Treatment
１

Efforts for Further Appropriate Treatment of Detainees
In September 2010, the ISA agreed with the Japan Federation of Bar Associations to holdcontinuous discussions with the Federation in order to realize more desirable measures forvarious problems related to detention. Regarding the detainees of immigration detention
facilities, bar associations are already providing regular telephone consultations and legal
consultations through business trips.
In addition, while considering the actual circumstances at each detention facility, we are
striving to enhance the daily lives of detainees, such as extending the time for treatment
open space and extending the time for outdoor exercise and bathing, within a scope that does
not hinder security. We are also making efforts to treat detainees with greater consideration
for their human rights, such as ensuring access to medical care, conducting health checkups
by doctors, and providing counseling by clinical psychologists.
We are also working to further optimize the treatment of detainees, such as by strengthening the medical system, based on the recommendations made in the “Special Subcommittee on Detention and Deportation” presented in June 2020, improvement measures describedin the “Investigation Report on the Case of the Death of a Detainee at the Nagoya Regional
Immigration Services Bureau” published in August 2021, and recommendations made in the“Advisory Panel on Enhancing the Medical System at ISA Detention Facilities” presented in
February 2022.

２ Activities and Duties of the Immigration Detention Facilities Visiting Committee
The Immigration Detention Facilities Visiting Committee was established for the purposeof securing transparency in security treatment and of improving the management of theimmigration detention facilities. There are two committees; one is in the Tokyo Regional
Immigration Services Bureau, and the other is in the Osaka Regional Immigration Services
Bureau. Each committee takes charge of immigration centers and departure waiting facilitiesin 24 locations (as at the end of March 2022) spread across Japan according to its districts.
Each committee inspects the facilities, meets with and interviews detainees, checks theopinions and proposals posted by detainees in the proposal boxes, and holds meetings. Based141

Part II

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

on the result of these activities, the committee expresses opinions to the Director of the
Immigration Detention Center or the Director of the Regional Immigration Services Bureau(hereinafter referred to collectively as “Directors”).
Over the course of a year from April 2021 to March 2022, a total of 18 inspections and 38
interviews took place in the facilities throughout Japan, and 62 opinions were given to the directors of the facilities. On receiving the opinions from the committee, the directors promptly
review them and endeavor to take measures where possible.
Committee members, who are selected from people who have a reputable character,possess deep insight and are committed to improving the operations of the immigration detention centers, are appointed as part-time government officials by the Minister of Justice. A
maximum of no more than ten members may be appointed for each committee from experts
from diverse fields, such as academic experts, legal experts, medical experts, NGO workers,
the staff of international organizations and local residents.
In addition, a summary of the opinions given by the committees and the measures takenby the Directors based on those opinions are published each year pursuant to the provisionsof the Immigration Control Act.

Section 4 Promotion of the Deportation of
Deportees１

Implementation of Safe and Reliable Deportation of Deportation Evaders
Recently, there has been the problem of an increasing number of foreign nationals who
have been issued with a deportation order but who attempt to evade deportation (deportation
evaders) because of aspiration to work in Japan or other reasons.
The ISA tries to convince these deportation evaders to return to their country of theirown volition, but if they still attempt to evade deportation, they will ultimately be deported
on a regular flight accompanied by escort officers based on the provisions of law, or massdeportation may be implemented using chartered flights for the purpose of safer and moresecure deportation.
In addition, some foreign nationals who attempt to evade deportation are often anxious
about their lives after return, and with regard to foreign nationals who are deemed to require humanitarian considerations, we are striving to promote the use of Assisted Voluntary
Return and Reintegration programs, with the cooperation of the International Organization
for Migration (IOM) in Japan.

２

Implementation of Mass Deportation Using Chartered Flights
Although we endeavor to repeatedly convince deportation evaders to return to theircountry of their own volition, if they still attempt to evade deportation, they will ultimately
be deported on a regular flight accompanied by escort officers based on the provisions of law.
However, deportation using a regular flight can cause a disturbance, for example, deportees might start shouting in the cabin, and there are cases where the deportation cannot be
implemented owing to the decision of the captain to deny boarding, or alternatively, even if
detainees are able to board the aircraft, there remained the fact that this imposes a heavy

142

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Part IIburden on private airlines, as it causes anxiety for other passengers.
For this reason, since 2013, the ISA has been implementing the mass deportation using
chartered flights, which allows for safe and reliable deportation without boarding being
refused by the captain of the aircraft, and by the end of FY 2021, a total of 339 foreign
nationals were deported over a total of eight flights (five destinations).

３ Promotion of the Use of IOM Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programs
On the other hand, there are some foreign nationals, being issued deportation orders,evade deportation despite wanting to return to their home country because of fears aboutlife after return.
Of these persons, with regard to foreign nationals who are deemed to require humanitarian considerations, Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programs havebeen implemented since FY 2013 with the cooperation of the IOM Japan office. This AVRR
program aims to dispel the anxiety deportees feel about returning home and to encourage
the voluntary return of the deportees through the provision of reintegration support after
return such as job placement and medical support.
So far, a number of families and individuals have returned home such as Asia, Africa andSouth America through this program and are receiving living, employment and enrollment
support after returning home from the respective local IOM office.
The ISA intends to continue with implementation of these programs with the cooperationof the IOM and to facilitate the voluntary return of deportees and reintegration in theirhome country.

Section 5 Efforts for Resolving Deportation
Evasion and Long-Term Detention
The problem of deportation evasion and long-term detention that has arisen in the current
system is now an urgent issue to in immigration control and residency management administration that must be resolved as soon as possible. In October 2019, the “Special Subcommittee
on Detention and Deportation”, set up under the 7th Immigration Control Policy Roundtable,a private roundtable established by the Minister of Justice, discussed and considered measures to prevent the increase of deportation evaders and long-term detention. The results ofconsideration were compiled in a report titled “Proposals to Solve the Issues of Deportation
Evasion and Long-Term Detention”, which was submitted to the Minister of Justice on July
14, 2020.
The report pointed out three major factors that the ISA cannot implement a written
deportation order as follows:(1) Some countries refusing to cooperate to accept deportees(2) Immigration Control Act stipulating that finding application for the recognition of
refugee status has suspensive effect against deportation, regardless of the reason andthe number of times of their application(3) S ome people who are refused boarding at the discretion of the captain, due to obstructive behaviour such as shouting in the aircraft during implemeting deportaion· It also pointed out that the deportation evaders cause the long-term detention issue143

Part II

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

because the detention by the written deportation order is available “until the time deportaion
becomes possible”.
Based on this report, with the purposes of making deportation procedures more appropriate and effective, and resolving the issues such as deportaiton evasion and long-term detention, the Bill for the Partial Amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition
Act and Special Act on the Immigration Control of, inter alia, those who have lost Japanese
Nationality pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan was submitted to the 204th Diet on
February 19, 2021. This amendment bill was based on three basic principles:(a) Judging quickly and properly whether or not foreign nationals are allowed to stay inJapan (the optimization of the special permission to stay in Japan, the establishment of
the recognition system of complementary protection, etc.)(b) Deporting promptly from Japan those foreign nationals who are not allowed to stay inJapan (the introduction of an exception to the suspension of deportation and deportation order with penalties, etc.)(c) Avoiding long-term detention in ISA facilities as much as possible, and ensure more
proper treatment in detention facilities (the introduction of supervision measure andimplementation of the improved treatment of detainees, etc.)
While the bill was not enacted, the ISA recognizes that the problem of deportation evasion
and long-term detention remains an urgent issue in immigration control and residency management administration that must be resolved as soon as possible. With this recognition, theISA will diligently proceed with deliberations to resolve these issues and make deportation
procedures, appropriate and effective.
Changes in the Number of Deportation Evaders

1,629

994

1,133

88

98

87

91

137

141

180

185

630

672

418

504

293
141
89
58
34
7

340
161
108
59
38
8

（１）466 out of 994 deportation evaders with criminal record is applying for therecognition of refugee status at the end of 2020.
（２）424 out of 1,133 deportation evaders with criminal record is applying for therecognition of refugee status at the end of 2021.
（３）The number of crime is based on each crime case, not by each individual.
（４）The period of provisional release is based on the most recent provisional
release.

144

Period of Provisional
Release

Crime Type

1,938

less than 1 month
1 month to less than 2months2 months to less than 6months6 months to less than 1 year
1 year to less than 1 year
and 6 months
1 year and 6 months to lessthan 2 years
2 years to less than 2 years
and 6 months
2 years and 6 months to lessthan 3 years
3 years or more
Total
less than 1 year
1 year to less than 2 years
2 years to less than 3 years
3 years to less than 5 years
5 years to less than 7 years
7 years to less than 10 years
10 years or moreTotal
wanted because of escaping
during provisional release
Period of Detention

Criminal Record andPrison Term

deportation evadersdeportation evaders going under the
refugee recognition procedures
deportation evaders withcriminal record (total)
7 year or more imprisonment(prison sentence)
5 year to less than 7 year imprisonment (prison sentence)
3 year to less than 5 year imprisonment (prison sentence)
more than 1 year to less than
3 year imprisonment (prison
sentence)violation of the drug related law
violation of the Immigration
Control Act
theft, fraud
injury, assault, extortion, etc.
breaking into a residence
robbery, robbery causing injury
sex crime (rape, etc.)
murderat the end at the endof 2020of 2021
3,103
3,224

at the end at the endof 2020of 2021
9
15
9

6

26

19

67

11

39

5

24

5

17

7

16

2

41
248
593
224
171
451
274
469
258
2,440

9
79
480
525
176
319
326
403
317
2,546

415

599

Chapter 9

Measures against Illegal and Imposter Foreign Residents, etc.

Part II

Article: At the Front Line of Immigration Control Administration(Voice of the immigration control officer in charge of enforcement)(Detention and Deportation Department, Yokohama District Immigration Services Office, Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau:
Kobuna Ayumi)

As an in charge of enforcement at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau,
Yokohama District Immigration Services Office Treatment and Enforcement Department, I mainly work on the escort and repatriation of deportees.
Currently, COVID-19 is necessitating various procedures that were not necessary until
now (preliminary PCR tests, securing accommodation after they return to their country,etc.) in the process of deporting deportees. In addition, depending on the infection statusof each country, these procedures may change. Therefore, by keeping in close contact
with related organizations such as airlines, embassies and travel agencies on a regularbasis, we are trying to collect information so we can avoid situations in which foreign
nationals who would normally be able to return to their country cannot be deported due
to lack of information.
I am also in charge of coordinating deportation at the expense of the government withan escort officer for deportation evaders. In this work as well COVID-19 has made it
more difficult than ever to coordinate with embassies and airlines, so we cannot realize
deportation unless we follow procedures at the right timing according to the case ofeach deportation evader. The procedures are very complicated, there are many difficult
tasks involved in the escort and deportation work, and there is a great deal of tension
in the time between actually boarding the aircraft and completing the escort to thedeportation destination. Because of this, I feel a great sense of accomplishment after asuccessful deportation, and I find this work to be rewarding.
As stated in the “Mission and Principles
of ISA Staff” made on January 14, 2022,
we professionals of immigration control
and residency management administrationmust not lose sight of the mission entrusted to us by the people of Japan, as we
carry out our duties with confidence andpride, so that we can continue to live up to
the trust and expectations of the people.
I will continue to carry out my duties
while always keeping aware of the 8 itemsin the “Mission and Principles of ISA Staff”. The immigration control officer incharge of enforcement

145

Part II

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

Chapter 10 Promotion of Appropriate

and Prompt Refugee
Protection

Section 1 Further optimization of the refugee
recognition system operation
１

Background
Japan has properly recognized applicants who should be recognized as refugees, and evenwhen they cannot be recognized as refugees, they have been allowed to stay in Japan as longas they need protection based on humanitarian consideration with the situation in their homecountry. However, it has been pointed out that the criteria for judging eligibility for refugee
status are unclear in Japan's refugee recognition system, and there is a need to improve
the transparency of the system. There is also a need to respond to the rapid increase in thenumber of applicants for refugee recognition and the diversification of complaints in recent
years.

２

OutlineThe ISA is working in close cooperation with relevant organizations such as UNHCR (theOffice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) to further optimize operationof the refugee recognition system based on three pillars: (1) clarifying normative elementson the eligibility for refugee status, (2) improving the capacity of refugee inquirers, and (3)enriching the content of country of origin information.
Specifically, with regard to (1), from the perspective of improving the transparency of the
refugee recognition system, we are considering how to clarify important points when judging
eligibility for refugee status, while referring to practical precedents in Japan and other countries and various documents issued by UNHCR when determining eligibility for refugees.
With regard to (2), the ISA has been conducting training for responsible staff in cooperation with UNHCR, and in the future, we will strive to further improve the quality of inspections by creating educational materials for accurate fact-finding. With regard to (3), weplan to further promote the exchange of information with other countries that accept many
refugees.

Section 2 Revision of the Operation of the Refugee
Recognition System, etc.
１

Revision of the Operation of the Refugee Recognition System(1) Outline
With regard to the refugee recognition system, the time required for the examinationof the cases is becoming more prolonged, and problems have been occurring which hinder

146

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

Part II

the provision of prompt protection of refugees owing to the proliferation of applications forrecognition of refugee status in recent years and applications abusing or misusing the system
for the purpose of employment or residence in Japan. Moreover, challenges have also arisen
concerning the clarification of the decisions on whether or not an applicant is a refugee.
Therefore, based on the purport of the recommendations in the reports submitted in
December 2014 by the “6th Immigration Policy Discussions Panel”, which is the private advisory council of the Minister of Justice, and the “Expert Committee on the Refugee Recognition System”, a study was conducted on reviewing the operation of the refugee recognition
system, which was published in the form of the “Summary of the Revision of the Operationof the Refugee Recognition System” on September 15, 2015.
(2) Proper Operation of the System
The contents of the review were (i) clarifying the targets eligible for protection, the decisions on recognition and the procedures, (ii) strengthening the system and infrastructure
pertaining to refugee recognition administration, (iii) appropriate handling of applications
abusing or misusing the refugee recognition system and the measures implemented so far
are as given below.
(i) Clarifying the targets eligible for protection, the decisions on recognition and the procedures
In a press release regarding the number of applicants recognized as refugees, etc. the
ISA also publish cases in which they were recognized as refugees, cases in which they
were not, and cases in which residence permissions were granted due to humanitarianconsiderations since 2016, clearly indicating the points of judgement in each case.
In addition, in March 2017, it has been started to allow having interviews with a doctor,
a counselor, or a lawyer, etc. for minors unaccompanied by their parents, individuals withsevere physical disabilities, individuals with mental disabilities or individuals with serious
illnesses.
(ii) Strengthening the system and infrastructure pertaining to refugee recognition administration
Since 2015, as well as implementing refugee recognition administrative staff training
for management-level officers with the cooperation of the UNHCR, the ISA has beenworking on the development and capacity-building of refugee inquirers through enriching
the content of the regular training relating to information on the countries of origin of theapplicants for refugee recognition and practical training using case studies.
Furthermore, the ISA actively collects country of origin information, which is necessary for determining refugee status, in cooperation with related organization, such as the
MOFA and UNHCR.
(iii) Appropriate handling of applications abusing or misusing the refugee recognition system
Since September 2015, applications abusing or misusing the refugee recognition system,
such as cases claiming a situation that clearly does not come under the 1951 Refugee
Convention have been pre-sorted before they reach the stage of a full-scale investigation.
While ensuring that an opportunity is given to the applicant to make claims sufficiently
such as the setting of a hearing into the circumstances by a refugee inquirer, these cases
are promptly processed. As measures regarding status of residence, the ISA has started
measures to not allow work (hereinafter, “work restrictions”) and measures to not allow
residence (hereinafter, “residence restrictions”) for those re-applicants who repeatedly

147

Part II

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

abuse or misuse the application process.
Moreover, with regard to the sorting of applications, from the perspective of case processing optimization, a verification was conducted by an expert panel for verification of thesituation of revisions for operation of the refugee recognition system (hereinafter referred
to as “expert panel”) composed of outside experts.

２

Revision of the System by Amendment of the Regulation
for Enforcement of the Immigration Control Act
In June 2017, due to the enforcement of a ministerial order to amend part of the Regulation
for Enforcement of the Immigration Control Act, the authority to recognize refugees, which
was previously only permitted to the Minister of Justice, was delegated to the Director of
the Regional Immigration Bureau (at that time). In addition, through the establishment of
a new refugee recognition application form for repeat applications, efforts are being madeto make efficient decisions regarding the sorting of cases and imposing work or residence
restrictions, and to streamline the processing of the cases.

３ Further Revision of the Operations to Optimize the Refugee Recognition System(1) BackgroundAs described above, since September 2015, applications abusing or misusing the system ofrefugee recognition are processed promptly, and work restrictions or residence restrictions
depending on the content of the application, are imposed on those applicants who repeatedly submit refugee recognition applications for such purposes as working in Japan. These
measures are intended for repeat applicants who re-submit applications for recognition of
refugee status, and although these measures have had a certain degree of effect in curbing
the re-submission of applications, the number of first-time applicants abusing or misusing thesystem is still increasing rapidly, and the number of refugee recognition applicants, which
was 5,000 in 2014, reached a record high of 19,629 in 2017, about four times the number, andthis situation is interfering with the provision of prompt protection of refugees.
Therefore, in order to improve such situation, as described in (2), a further revision of theoperations of the refugee recognition system (hereinafter referred to as “further revision of
the operations”) was carried out, and has been in force since January 2018.
(2) Outline
The contents of the further revision of the operations are as follows.
(i) Setting of a pre-sorting period
Measures have been taken to set a time limit for pre-sorting the contents of the cases
following receipt of a first-time application(time limit not exceeding two months), andbased on the results of pre-sorting the contents, to promptly take measures on the statusof residence (permission to stay, residence restrictions, work permission, and work restrictions).
(ii) Further consideration for applicants whose applicability as a refugee is deemed to be
high
Applicants whose applicability as a refugee under the Refugee Convention is deemed tobe high or applicants who are considered highly likely to need humanitarian consideration

148

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

Part IIdue to the situation in their home country, were previously granted the status of residenceof “Designated Activities” (six months) permitting work after the passing of six months
from the time of submission of the application for recognition of refugee status, but theseapplicants become quickly granted the status of residence of “Designated Activities” (sixmonths) permitting work after the sorting of the application, thereby promoting quicker
protection.
(iii) Further strict responses to abuse or misuse of applications
A. First-time applications(A) Residence restrictions are imposed on applicants claiming circumstances thatclearly do not correspond to the requests of the Refugee Convention’s grounds forpersecution.
(B) E ven in cases where residence restrictions are not imposed, applicants who applied
for recognition of refugee status after abandoning to engage in the activities fallingunder the original status of residence, such as technical intern trainees who haveabsconded or international students who have left their educational institution,
or applicants who filed an application for recognition of refugee status during thedeparture preparing period are under work restrictions. In addition, the period ofstay in this case will be reduced from the previous six months to three months.
B. Re-submission of applications
In principle, residence restrictions are imposed.
However, even with repeat applicants, applicants whose applicability as a refugee
under the Refugee Convention is deemed to be high, or applicants who are consideredhighly likely to need humanitarian consideration due to the situation in their homecountry are given the protection in the abovementioned (ii).
C. Fast-track process
Cases of applicants for recognition of refugee status who come under the abovementioned A and B will be promptly examined, and processed as quickly as possible(Reference 81).

149

Part II

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

Reference 81 S
 ummary of further revision of the operations of the refugeesystemReference 81 recognition
Summary of further
revision of the operations of the refugee recognition system
Specific contents of the further
revision of the operations
Prior to the further revision of
the operations
Restrictions
on stay

Restrictions
onemployment

Applicants repeating an application three times or more without
a good reason
Applicants repeating an application twice clearly without theConvention definition

Current
Re-applicant(*)
Applicants clearly without the Convention definition(the first application)
Applicants capable of supporting themselves without working

Applicants capable of supporting themselves without working
Applicants repeating an application twice without a good reson

Fast-track
process

Applicants applying after abandoning their initial activities(the first application)
Applicants applying after getting the designated status to makethe preparations for departure (the first application)
Applications clearly without the Convention definition

Applications clearly without the Convention definition

Re-applications
Applications after abandoning initial activities

Multiple applications without a good reason

Applications after getting the designated status to make thepreparations for departure(*) Excludes applicants whose applicability as a refugee under the Refugee Convention is deemed to be high, or applicants who are(*) Excludes applicants whose applicability as a refugee under the Refugee Convention is deemed to be high, or
considered likely to require humanitarian consideration due to the situation in their home country.
applicants who are considered likely to require humanitarian consideration due to the situation in their home country.

４

Situation after Revision of the Operations of the Refugee Recognition System
As a result of these efforts, the number of applicants for refugee recognition, which hit arecord high of 19,629 in 2017, halved to 10,493 in 2018.
Since 2020, the number of new entrants to Japan decreased drastically due to the global
COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the number of applicants for refugee recognition declined
to 3,936 in 2020 and 2,413 in 2021.
Meanwhile, the number of applicants recognized as refugees has increased (20 in 2017,
42 in 2018, 44 in 2019, 47 in 2020 and 74 in 2021), and there has been a certain degree ofeffect in meeting the objective in that applications abusing or misusing the system have been
curbed and refugees are being offered prompt protection.
However, since there are still a number of applications abusing or misusing the system,a consideration will be conducted from the aspects of both the legal system and operations
with regard to measures to further curb applications abusing or misusing the system while
taking into account the effects of previous efforts towards fundamental resolution of the
problem.

150

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

Part II

Section 3 Acceptance of Refugees ThroughResettlement
１

Resettlement
Resettlement is intended to transfer and resettle refugees, who have been evacuatedfrom their countries of origins and who are temporarily taking shelter in a refugee campin a neighboring country or another place, to another country which agrees to accept such
refugees from the countries where they were originally offered protection. Resettlement
is deemed to be one of the permanent solutions of refugee problems, as well as “voluntary
repatriation” and “resettlement in the first countries of asylum”.
The UNHCR encourages each country to accept refugees through the resettlement program from the standpoint of having the international community properly share its duties inrelation to refugee problems.

２

Acceptance in FY 2019 or before
In the past, Japan took measures to support the settlement of Indochinese refugees andthose recognized as refugees, but in order to deal with the various problems relating to
refugees in the Asian region, in December 2008, the Cabinet approval was given to the introduction of a system of resettlement(*1). The Cabinet approval(*2) prescribed that the relevant
ministries and agencies would accept approximately 30 Myanmarese refugees every year
from refugee camps in Thailand, as a pilot project starting from FY 2010 and would support
their resettlement through interministry and agency cooperation. It was also stated that thepilot project would, in the future, be reviewed from various angles, and that based on thereview, further consideration would be given to a future system of acceptance.
Based on the contents of the report (January 2014) compiled by the Advisory Council on
Resettlement held under the auspices of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues(*3), the future policy was approved by the Cabinet(*4) in January 2014 and in accordancewith the contents of this Cabinet approval(*5), the acceptance of resettlement refugees cameto be fully implemented from 2015 to accept Myanmarese refugees temporarily staying in
Malaysia.
The ISA is mainly in charge of the selection process for resettlement refugees to be
accepted, and conducts local interviews. From FY 2010 to FY 2014, Myanmarese refugees
comprising 18 families composed of 86 family members were accepted from Thailand (in FY
2012 all of the families who had decided to come to Japan declined before coming to Japan).
From FY 2015 to FY 2019, Myanmarese refugees comprising 32 families composed of 108(*1) Cabinet approval on December 16, 2008: “Implementation of a Pilot Project for the Admission of Refugees throughResettlement”.
(*2) Abovementioned Cabinet approval and “Specific Measures for Implementation of a Pilot Project for the Admissionof Refugees through Resettlement” decision of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues on December
19, 2008.
(*3) Established in the Cabinet to ensure the close cooperation of the relevant administrative agencies and to consider
necessary measures for the government regarding various issues concerning refugees. The chair is the Deputy Chief
Cabinet Secretary. The Deputy Commissioner of the ISA is a member.
(*4) Cabinet approval on January 24, 2014: “Implementation of the Admission of Refugee through Resettlement”(*5) Abovementioned Cabinet approval and “Specific Measures for Implementation of the Admission of the Refugee
through Resettlement” decision of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues on January 24, 2014.

151

Part II

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

family members were accepted from Malaysia.

３

Acceptance in FY 2020 and thereafter
Then in October 2018, in order to continue accepting resettlement refugees, a study groupconsisting of the relevant ministries and agencies and experts was established to examine
the necessity of expanding the scope of acceptance and the scope when expanding acceptance(*1), and based on the results of the review by the study group, Cabinet approval(*2) was
given on June 28, 2019 that partially amended the Cabinet approval of January 2014. Due tothis change(*3), it was decided that from FY 2020 onwards the scope of acceptance throughresettlement would be expanded to include refugees (regardless of their country or region oforigin) temporarily staying in Asia, single refugees would be accepted in addition to refugees
in family units, the maximum number of accepted refugees would be increased to about 60
per year (with acceptance being increased from once to twice a year), and refugees accepted through resettlement would be able to bring their relatives with them as family members.
In consideration of the government’s policy, the ISA will continue to appropriately fulfill its
role and strive to accept these refugees in a seamless manner, while working together withthe relevant ministries and agencies.
In FY 2020, refugees through resettlement were not accepted due to the global COVID-19
pandemic. However, in FY 2021, we accepted a total of 6 refugees from Myanmar, including
4 people in 2 families and 2 individuals. Japan has so far accepted 200 refugees from 52
families (including 2 individuals) as resettled refugees from Myanmar.

(*1) “Study Group on Expansion of the Project for the Acceptance of Refugees through Resettlement” decided by the
Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues on October 22, 2018.
(*2) ”Partial amendment to ‘Implementation of the Acceptance of Refugees through Resettlement’” decided by the
Cabinet on June 28, 2019.
(*3) In response to the partial amendment of the abovementioned Cabinet approval, partial amendment of the “SpecificMeasures Relating to the Acceptance of Refugees through Resettlement” decided as abovementioned by the Liaison
and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues on June 28, 2019.

152

Chapter 10

Reference 82

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

Part II

Situation of implementation and cases of acceptance throughresettlement

What isresettlement➢ Resettlement is intended to transfer and resettle refugees, who are temporarily taking shelter in a refugee camp or the like to another country which agrees to
accept such refugees from the countries where they were originally offered protection .

Situation of
implementation➢ The UNHCR encourages each country to accept refugees through the resettlement program from the standpoint of having the international community properly➢ Resettlement is deemed to be one of the permanent solutions of refugee problems, as well as “voluntary repatriation” and “resettlement in the first countries ofasylum” .

share its duties .

➢ The Japanese government engages in the acceptance of refugees through resettlement in cooperation with the UNHCR and the IOM.
《Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues》》・・・13 ministries and agencies：：Cabinet Secretariat, National Police Agency，，Ministry of Internal Affairs andCommunications，，Ministry of Justice（（Immigration Services Agency）），Ministry of Foreign Affaires ，Ministry of Finance，，Ministry of Education，，Agency for Cultural
Affairs ，Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare，，Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries，，Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry，，Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism，，Japan Coast Guard

2008～
FY2010FY20142014

FY2015FY2019～2019

FY2020
FY2021

Cabinet approval and decision of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues (December)➢ About 30 Myanmarese refugees (in family units) will be accepted from refugee camps in Thailand as pilot cases each year andprovided with resettlement support.
2010 (1st group) The 1st group from Thailand (September, October)：27 persons from 5 families
2011 (2nd group) The 2nd group from Thailand (September)：18 persons from 4 families
2012 (3rd group) All members of the 3rd group from Thailand withdrew their application
before coming to Japan (accepted persons: 0)
2013 (4th group) The 4th group from Thailand (September)：18 persons from 4 families
2014 (5th group) The 5th group from Thailand (September)：23 persons from 5 families

FY2010～FY2014
86 persons
from 18 families were
accepted

Cabinet approval and decision of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues (January)➢ The system will be launched in earnest in FY 2015, and about 30 Myanmarese refugees (in family units) will be acceptedfrom Malaysia each year y and provided with resettlement support.
➢ Myanmarese refugees who are accepted from Thailand through resettlement will be allowed to bring their families withthem, and will be provided with resettlement support.
2015 (6 group) The 1st group from Malaysia (September)：19 persons from 6 families
2016 (7th group) The 2nd group from Malaysia (September)：18 persons from 7 families
2017 (8th group) The 3rd group from Malaysia (September)：29 persons from 8 families
2018 (9th group) The 4th group from Malaysia (September)：22 persons from 5 families
2019 (10th group) The 5th group from Malaysia (September)：20 persons from 6 families

FY2015～FY2019

108 persons
from 32 families were
accepted

FY2010～FY2021
200 persons
from 52 families were
accepted(including single persons)Cabinet approval and decision of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues (June)➢ Starting in FY 2020, about 60 refugees from the Asian Region (regardless of their country or region of origin) will be acceptedand provided with resettlement support, with acceptance being held once to twice a year.
➢ Refugees will generally be accepted in family units, but single refugees will also be accepted.
➢ All resettled refugees who are accepted through resettlement will be allowed to bring their families with them, and will be
provided with resettlement support.
The schedule has been postponed due to the spread of the COVID-19
pandemic worldwide.
：4 persons
2020 (11th group) The 6th group from Malaysia (March 2022)：
from 2 families and 2 single persons

FY2020･FY2021

6 personsfrom 2 families were
Accepted(including single persons)Section 4 Promotion of Collaboration with NGOs
With regard to refugee-related administration, it is necessary to identify specific points
which need to be improved through discussions with individuals involved in the promotion of
refugee protection incorporating the standpoint of the private sector and legal experts and towork to achieve better measures in collaboration with and cooperation from citizens’ groups.
Therefore, on February 10, 2012, the Immigration Bureau (at that time) concluded athree-party agreement and exchanged a memorandum on cooperation with the Forum for
Refugees Japan, which is a network of NGOs and groups supporting refugees and the JFBA,
agreeing to hold discussions to identify the refugee-related administrative matters that the
Immigration Bureau is responsible for and that need improving, including procedures forrecognizing refugee status, and to exchange information on the provision of housing, with theassistance of refugee support groups, for refugees awaiting the results of their application forrecognition of refugee status.
In accordance with the three-party discussions based on this memorandum, during
the period of April 2012 and March 2014, the Immigration Bureau implemented a “pilot
project”, which the Immigration Bureau requested the Forum for Refugees Japan to securea residence for foreign nationals claiming asylum at Narita Airport for whom it is difficult
to secure a residence, and Landing Permission for Temporary Refuge or Permission for
Provisional Stay was granted to foreign nationals who were accepted by the Forum.
Subsequently, following discussions by the three parties, the same measures under this153

Part II

Chapter 10

Promotion of Appropriate and Prompt Refugee Protection

project are currently being taken at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Chubu Airport and Kansai Airport. Since March 2017, foreign nationals from these airport branches have been sent
to Higashi-Nihon Immigration Center, Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Nagoya
Regional Immigration Services Bureau, or Osaka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, andwhen one of the immigration Services offices to which the person was sent makes a decisionon permission for provisional stay or permission for provisional release, the measures apply
to such cases as well, and the measures have been applied to 45 foreign nationals (including
those eligible for the pilot project and those to whom similar measures were applied before
the project’s launching) as of 2021.

Section 5 Acceptance Status of Syrian
International Students
The Japanese government has started an initiative to accept a maximum of 150 Syrianinternational students over the course of 5 years, with technical cooperation from JICA. It
is intended to provide educational opportunities to Syrian youth who have been deprivedof the opportunity to attend school due to the Syrian crisis and develop human resources
who will be responsible for the future rebuilding of Syria, as part of comprehensive support
for stabilizing the Middle East Region, a goal stated at the 1st “Meeting of the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) Promotion Headquarters” held on May 20, 2016. A total of 115
Syrian international students were accepted from 2017 to 2021.

Reference 83

Acceptance status of Syrian international students
Year

Number of acceptance

2017

2018
28

2019
29

2020
22

（People）

2021
16

Total
20

115

(*) The number of Syrian international students accepted is the number of (1) Syrian students accepted asinternational students in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in the“Japanese Initiative for the future of Syrian Refugees” (JISR), a human resources development project for Syrian
refugees conducted by JICA, and (2) Students who are accepted as government-sponsored international students
under the government-sponsored international student system implemented by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture,
Sports, Science and Technology). The government-sponsored international student system does not require applicants
to be Syrian refugees.

154

Chapter 11 Responses to International Society and International Situations

Part II

Chapter 11 Responses to International

Society and International
Situations

Section 1 Treaties and International Conventions
１

Support for Bilateral and Multilateral Frameworks
In frameworks such as the EPA (Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement), whichaims to promote liberalization and facilitation of foreign trade between signatory nations,and to cordinate policies, relax regulations, and cooperate in various economic fields, such as
trade in services, the ISA is involved in the field of “movement of natural persons”.
The ISA, in light of the deep relationship to the work under its jurisdiction, actively supports frameworks aimed at exchanging information and opinions and improving cooperative
relationships among multiple countries, including the OECD.
(Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development), APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation), and ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
For the purpose of simplifying port procedures, necessary adjustments have been made inorder to maintain consistency between Japan’s immigration control and residency management system and the “1965 Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic” (FAL
Convention), which includes the adoption of relevant document formats and simplificationof procedures, as well as the “Convention on International Civil Aviation” (Chicago Convention), which aims to simplify immigration, customs, quarantine, and facility management
procedures at airports.

２ Reports and Examinations in Accordance with Human Rights Treaties
Japan is a signatory to various treaties, including the International Covenant on Economic,
Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR), the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women(CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the International Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities（CRPD）and the International Convention
for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance（ICPAPED）. With regard to
government reports on the status of the implementation of those treaties, the ISA is involvedin the drafting of reports, review of the government reports and follow-up thereof from theperspective of immigration control and residency management administration.

155

Part II

Chapter 11

Responses to International Society and International Situations

Section 2 International Conferences/ International
Exchange１

The 1st Tokyo Immigration ForumThe 1st Tokyo Immigration Forum, organized by the MOJ and the ISA of Japan, was heldon March 2 and 3, 2022, with the participation of representatives (senior officials) from immigration authorities of 18 countries and regions (Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Hong
Kong, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, R.O.Korea, Singapore,
Thailand, the U.K., the U.S. and Vietnam).The forum was also attended by observers such as
the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the embassies of participating countries
in Japan, and the related ministries and agencies of Japan (The forum was held in a hybrid
format of online and in-person participation.).
Minister of Justice Furukawa made opening remarks, followed by a keynote report byCommissioner Sasaki.
In the plenary session, with regard to "Crisis management measures for immigration control", presenters explained about measures for immigration control taken in their countries/
regions, including efforts to prevent the influx of COVID-19 infection and reopen the borderat the same time, and the technologies using for border control. With regard to “Issues
associated with the movement of foreign workers and responses”, presenters explained
about systems and its current situation concerning acceptance or sending of foreign humanresources, as well as its issues and their countermeasures under the pandemic.
Between the plenary sessions, there were also two breakout COVID-19 sessions for “Efforts
to streamline the immigration control and residency management procedures and to provide
foreign nationals with greater convenience” and “Issues related to deportation”, respectively.
In the breakout session for the former theme, participants gave presentations and exchanged
opinions on the use of technology to automate and simplify immigration procedures. For thelatter theme, participants explained and discussed the current status of deportation operations and the challenges they faced in the COVID-19 pandemic.
The participants shared the view that the Tokyo Immigration Forum served as a platform
for the sharing of information and exchange of opinions on international immigration control
and residency policies, through the frank and active discussion on issues faced by immigration authorities from various countries and regions, and agreed on that the Forum would
continue to be held on a regular basis, and that the next Forum would be held in Tokyo infiscal year 2022.

156

Chapter 11 Responses to International Society and International Situations

Part II

The 1st Tokyo Immigration Forum２

Responces to International Conferences
The Migration Experts Sub-Group (MESG) Meeting, one of the sub groups of the G7
Rome-Lyon Group, which is a working experts’ group to discuss measures against international terrorism and transnational organized crime, is discussing measures that the G7 members should take cooperatively in the area of illegal immigration and forgery or alteration of
documents.
MESG Meeting was held online in November 2021 and in March 2022, and officials fromthe ISA participated in the meeting to exchange information and opinions with the counterparts of other countries.
In addition to the international meetings mentioned above, the ISA sends delegates to theGovernment Delegation on Anti-Human Trafficking Measures to exchange information on
recent efforts to counter trafficking in persons, as well as to the Consular Consultation etc.
to express Japan’s position actively and build cooperative relationships with other countries.
The ISA also sends officials to participate in multinational meetings, such as the International
Air Transport Association (IATA)/ Control Authorities Working multinational Group(CAWG) for the purpose of information sharing and exchanging opinions.

３International Exchange
The ISA has been striving to strengthen cooperative relations with other countries andregions such as by actively exchanging views with the immigration authorities of othercountries at different levels and accepting visits from related organizations.
In FY 2021, the ISA strengthened cooperative relationships while exploring new ways of
doing international exchange. This included exchanging opinions online with Australian immigration authorities, and participating in an online exchange of opinions held by the JapanTaiwan Exchange Association and the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association.

157

Part II

Chapter 12

Public Relations Activities

Chapter 12 Public Relations Activities
Section 1 Promotion of Public Relations Activities
Recognizing that public relations and enlightenment activities both in Japan and abroadplay a major role in the smooth implementation of immigration control and residency management administration, the ISA has been further promoting more active public relations
activities than ever before. As the main public relations activities, we provide information
including the current circumstances concerning immigration control and residency management administration, new systems and changes of procedures.
In order to explain the current circumstances of immigration control and residency
management administration, statistics such as the number of those entering or departingfrom Japan, the number of foreign residents, the number of foreign nationals overstaying andthe number of applications for refugee recognition are released on the website of the ISA.
In addition, the ISA also disclose information on cases of special permission to stay in Japan,
examination of statuses of residence, the average processing time for refugee recognition
examinations, the immigration examination waiting time at airports and endeavor to widely
spread understanding of the current situation of immigration control and residency management administration.
In addition, we proactively explain the immigration control and residency management
systems and procedural guidelines, and raise awareness by distributing posters and leaflets,
not only by posting information about various systems on the ISA website. Also, the ISA has
created and published various public relations videos.
In order to ensure proper employment of foreign nationals and prevent illegal employment,
we had previously designated the month of June as the “Campaign Month for Measuresagainst Illegal Employment of Foreign Nationals” in conjunction with the government-wide“Awareness Month for Foreign Workers”, and has been conducted public relations activities.
In FY 2022, with the theme of “Month to Promote Proper Employment of Foreign Nationals
for the Realization of an Inclusive Society”, we conducted educational activities for the public,
companies employing foreign nationals, and related organizations, on points to keep in mind
when recruiting foreign nationals and measures to prevent illegal employment.

158

Chapter 12

Public Relations Activities

Part II

The video clip “The Organization and Work of the ISA”

The video clip “Initiatives to Accept Foreign Nationals andfor a Society of Harmonious coexistence”

159Part II

Chapter 12

Public Relations Activities

Section 2 Information Dissemination
１

ISA Website
Since opening the ISA website (https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/index.html) in March 2002, the
ISA has offered Q&A on immigration and residence procedures, as well as addresses, contact information, counter open hours, and other information about the regional immigration
services bureaus. In October 2020, we renewed the website, centralizing content previously
posted on the MOJ website to the ISA website, and striving to enhance content and improveusability and accessibility.
Also, in order to enhance information provision to foreign nationals, we opened a new
multilingual website in February 2021. By expanding the number of languages supported on
the website from the original five all the way to 14, and gradually enhancing the content provided, we are making consideration to ensure that the website will be especially convenient
for foreign nationals.

２

ISA SNS, etc.

(1) ISA Twitter, Facebook
In order to be able to further enhance its public relations activities, the ISA opened Twitter accounts of the ISA and the Regional Immigration Services Bureaus in March 2016, anda Facebook account of the ISA in July 2020.
The ISA uses its Twitter and Facebook accounts to provide information on new systems
and useful information for foreign residents.
In addition to this, the Twitter accounts of the Regional Immigration Services Offices areused to send out real-time information on waiting time so that visitors coming to the residence examination desks will have an idea of the waiting time, and also to give informationout on various events and campaigns to be held at the airports and other places.
(2) ISA Email Distribution Service
In addition to the website and social media accounts mentioned above, the ISA started
an email distribution service in March 2021 in order to further strengthen dissemination of
information. This service distributes information on immigration, residence procedures, andresidence support, etc. in Japanese, plain Japanese, and English.
This email distribution service enables users to select what information they want toreceive, and sends information according to the needs of individual users.

160

Chapter 12

Public Relations Activities

Part II〇 I SA Tw it t e r a c c o u n t s
Immigration Services
AgencySapporo Regional
Immigration Services
BureauNarita Airport District
Immigration Services Office,Tokyo Regional
Immigration Services Bureau

Nagoya Regional
Immigration Services
BureauFukuoka Regional
Immigration Services
BureauHaneda Airport District
Immigration Services Office,Tokyo Regional
Immigration Services Bureau

Chubu Airport District
Immigration Services Office,Nagoya Regional
Immigration Services Bureau

Kobe District
Immigration Services Office,Osaka Regional
Immigration Services Bureau

Sendai Regional
Immigration Services
BureauNaha District
Immigration Services Office,Fukuoka Regional
Immigration Services Bureau

Yokohama District
Immigration Services Office,Tokyo Regional
Immigration Services Bureau

Osaka Regional
Immigration Services
BureauHiroshima Regional
Immigration Services
BureauTokyo Regional
Immigration Services
BureauKansai Airport District
Immigration Services Office,Osaka Regional
Immigration Services Bureau

Takamatsu Regional
Immigration Services
BureauHigashi‐Nihon
Immigration Center

Omura
Immigration Center〇 I SA Fa c e b o o k a c c o u n t
Immigration Services
AgencyNagoya Regional Immigration Services
BureauInspection Coordination
Department,Accepting Environmental
Management Division

Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services
BureauBussiness,Employment,and Permanent
Residence Inspection
Department,Accepting Environment
Management Division

2D barcode of ISA Official SNS161

2022/05/13 13:37

Part II

Chapter 12

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services Agency）（@MOJ_IMMI）さん / Twitter

Public Relations Activities

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services Agency
940 件のツイート

キーワード検索

話題を検索

Twitterを使ってみ設定

今すぐ登録して、タイムライ
ょう。

GoogleAppleのアカ
フォロー

電話番号またはメー
By signing up, you agree toPrivacy Policy, including Coo

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services Agency）@MOJ_IMMI

出⼊国在留管理庁(Immigration Services Agency)の公式Twitterアカウントです。皆様のお役に⽴つ情報を発信します。当アカウントへのリプライ等に対して個別の対応
はいたしません。運⽤⽅針等はこちらです。→moj.go.jp/isa/about/pr/i…
moj.go.jp/isa/index.html
22 フォロー中ツイート

2015年9⽉からTwitterを利⽤しています

1.8万 フォロワー
ツイートと返信

メディア

いいね

固定されたツイート

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Ser…
@MOJ_I… · 2021年1⽉5⽇
⼊管を名乗る不審な電話にご注意ください
詳細はこちら→moj.go.jp/isa/publicatio…
请注意声称⼊管的可疑电话详细信息→moj.go.jp/isa/publicatio…
93

101

98

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services …
@MOJ_I… · 5⽉6⽇
国家公務員採⽤総合職試験第１次試験合格者等対象本府省合同業務説明会を開催します︕
詳細はこちら︕→moj.go.jp/isa/supply/rec…
ISA Official
Twitter
1117

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services …
@MOJ_I… · 4⽉25⽇
The Regional Immigration Services Bureaus except for those at airports will
be closed during the Golden Week holidays (from April 29th to May 1st andfrom May 3rd to 5th).
Please check below for the contact information of each office.
isa.go.jp/en/about/regio…
1

6

6

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services …
@MOJ_I… · 4⽉25⽇
空港（くうこう）以外（いがい）の⼊管（にゅうかん）は、ゴールデンウ
ィークのあいだ（４⽉２９⽇〜５⽉１⽇、５⽉３⽇〜５⽇）、おやすみしますので、きをつけてください。
⼊管（にゅうかん）の連絡先（れんらくさき）は下（した）からみてください。
moj.go.jp/isa/about/regi…
1

6

6

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services …
@MOJ_I… · 4⽉25⽇
地⽅出⼊国在留管理官署（空港以外）は、ゴールデンウィーク期間中（４⽉２９⽇〜５⽉１⽇、５⽉３⽇〜５⽇）は、お休みとなりますのでお気を付けください。
各地⽅出⼊国在留管理官署の連絡先は以下から確認してください。
moj.go.jp/isa/about/regi…
7162

東京出⼊国在留@IMMI_TOKYO
⼤阪出⼊国在留@IMMI_OSAK
環境省@Kankyo_Jpn
さらに表⽰

いまどうしてる︖
ニュース · ライブ「南海トラフ地震」に関情報
⽇本のトレンド

鷲⽻⼭ハイランド
3,877件のツイート
⽇本のトレンド

地⽅いじめ

トレンドトピック: 寄港拒否
国際ニュース · ライブ

ロシア国防省 マリウポの3⽇間停戦を発表 退避は不明
報道ステーシ…
·2
親族に知られたら…“内む⼥性が直⾯している
課題

8

出⼊国在留管理庁（Immigration Services …
@MOJ_I… · 4⽉20⽇「いま」起きていることを⾒つけよう
Please check the URL below if you are suffering from the impact of the
COVID-19. Information about support measures was updated on April 1st.
Twitterなら、「いま」起きていることをいち早くチェックできます。

https://twitter.com/MOJ_IMMI

おすすめツイート

さらに表⽰
ログインプライバシーポ
アカウ
利⽤規約
Cookieのポリシー アクセ

1/7