Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
酸二水素カリウム溶液への浸漬によっても、コントロール(-P)に比べ増加した。地上部と地下部のリン吸収量も、これら溶液への浸漬によって増加した。

図 V-3. 移植前に肥料溶液に浸漬したイネ苗の移植後の生長、地上部乾重(I)、地下部乾重(II)ならびに地下部／地上部比(III)

イネ苗を5%のリン酸二水素カリウム溶液に30分浸漬すると、低pHかつ低リン土壤でリン肥料を与えなかった場合に、初期成長期から移植後75日までの地上部並びに地下部乾重が大幅に増加した。対照的に5%のNPK溶液への浸漬では、苗に深刻な障害が生じ死に至った。また1%のNPK溶液の場合は、コントロール(-P)に対し何の効果もなかった。

リン肥料の溶液に浸漬しないでリン施用のない土壌に移植した植物、すなわちコントロール(-P)はより高い地下部/地上部比を示した。すべての処理で、時間が長くなるほど地下部/地上部比が増加したことは、生長するイネ植物は常にリン栄養について
欠乏しており、より多くのリンを獲得するために地下部が増加することがうかがえる。コントロール(-P)と比較して、ほとんどの処理によってイネの地下部/地上部比は減少した。このことは、肥料溶液への浸漬処理をしたイネ植物のリン欠乏は、1%のNPK溶液に60分間浸漬した処理を除けば、無処理の植物に比べ厳しくなかった。リンを施肥した土壌に移植した無処理の植物、すなわちコントロール(+P)は、処理した場合と同様に地下部/地上部比はより低かった(図V-3)。

肥料を処理した植物の地上部と地下部のリン濃度は、コントロール(-P)に比べ高く、これらの濃度は移植後75日の地上部と、同じく20日後の地下部の成長と高い相関関係にあった(図V-4)。このことは、リン肥料溶液への浸漬が、リン欠でリンを付加していない土壌において、地上部バイオマス生産の効率を増加させ、初期の地下部の発達を促すことが示唆された。

P concentration (mg kg $ ^{-1} $ DM)

図 V-4. 肥料溶液を浸漬したイネ苗の移植後の地上部乾重あるいは地下部乾重とリン蓄積濃度との関係
## まとめ

## 乾田播種システム

水溶性のリン酸二水素カリウム(KH₂PO₄)の粉末を、必要量のオイルを使って直接乾燥種子にまぶすと、リンを添加していない土壌で播種後40日までの苗の成長が促進された。播種5日後に出芽の遅れが確認されたが、10日後までには回復した。イネの種子に一粒あたり2.4mgあるいは1kgの種子あたり92gのリン酸二水素カリウムの粉末をコーティングすることは、低価格でかつ扱いやすい技術と考えられた。

ブルキナファソ産のリン鉱石や NPK のようなリンを含む肥料(リン酸二水素カリウムより純ではない)を用いる場合、水分吸収を増加させるため種子に対し前もっての発芽処理か休眠打破が必要である。これらの含リン肥料から成分がリリースされる前に根の発達をより促すことができれば、成長に悪影響をもたらすことなく適量のリンを植物に供給することができる。

## 苗移植システム

リン施肥をしておらず酸性でリン欠の土壌においては、イネの苗を移植前に5%のリン酸二水素カリウム溶液に30分間浸漬する処理が推奨される。これにより移植後75日まで、苗の成長が改善される。

## 推奖

肥料を乾燥種子や発芽種子にコーティングしたり、種子を肥料溶液に浸漬したりする技術は乾田直播システム向けであり、苗を肥料溶液に浸漬する技術は移植システム向けである。これらは、リン施肥をしていない土壌においてもイネの成長を飛躍的に増加させることがわかった。しかし、欲すべきイネの生産レベルは、作物が生活環を全うできるよう土壌に十分な栄養分が供給されてこそ達成できる。
我が国の雇用環境をみると、就業形態や賃金制度は大きく変化し、正規以外の従業員が増加するとともに、業績・成果主義的な賃金制度も拡大してきた。こうした中で、人々の意識をみると、仕事に関する調査項目で長期的に満足感の低下がみられる。本来、人事・労務管理に関する制度の見直しでは、労働者の意欲を引き出すことをねらって慎重に制度設計が行われる必要があるが、1990年代には企業の経営環境が厳しかったことから、企業の対応は人件費抑制的な視点に傾きがちで、その基本がゆらぐとともに、新規学卒者の計画的な採用や、適切な配置、育成に向けた努力を怠るなどの面もみられ、労働者の満足感の長期的な低下が生じたものと考えられる。今後は、働く人の意欲の発揮に向けて、正規従業員として就職したいと思っている人々の正規雇用化に向けた支援を充実させていくとともに、就業形態間の均衡処遇を着実に推進していくことが求められる。また、業績・成果主義的賃金制度が広がった正規従業員の中高年層で賃金格差の拡大と仕事に対する意欲の低下がみられることから、賃金制度の見直しも企業経営における重要な課題になると考えられる。

特に、長期勤続者が多い50歳台の労働者の意欲の低下に適切に対処することは、我が国の長期雇用慣行を有効に機能させていくうえでも重要である。

## (仕事に対する意欲は、50歳台以上層で低下)

（独）労働政策研究・研修機構「従業員の意識と人材マネジメントの課題に関する調査」から、年齢階級別の仕事に対する意欲の変化をみると、20～30歳台では3年前と比較して意欲が高まったとする者が多い。その一方で、50歳台以上の層では意欲が低下したとする者が多くなっている（第24図）。

## (意欲低下の理由として多い、賃金の低さや評価の納得性)

仕事に対する意欲が低下した者について低下した理由をみると、賃金が低いから、評価の納得性が確保されていないからの2つの項目が他の項目よりも高くなる。

また、仕事に対する意欲の低下が懸念される50歳台については、低下した理由を年齢計と比較すると、評価の納得性が確保されていないから、職場のコミュニケーションが円滑でないから、仕事の裁量性が低いからといった項目で相対的に高くなる（第25図）。この年齢層の仕事に対する意欲の低下を防ぐには、評価の納得性が得られるような取り組みや、職場の人間関係の改善が必要であることが分かる。

## (小規模企業で高い正規従業員以外の雇用者割合)

近年、パート、派遣、契約社員など正規従業員以外の雇用者が増加しており、その割合は3割を超えている。これを従業員規模別にみると、全ての規模で3割を超えており、特に、500人以上規模では、1997年の16.1％から急速に上昇し、2007年は30.1％となった。その一方で、1～29人規模では、正規従業員以外の雇用者の割合は1987年時点でも26.8％に達していたが、その後も継続して上昇し2007年は39.2％にまで達している（第26図）。
第24回 年齢階級別仕事意欲 D.I.

資料出所 （独）労働政策研究・研修機構「従業員の意識と人材マネジメントの課題に関する調査（従業員調査）」（2008年）

(注) 仕事意欲D.I.は、「高まっている」×2＋「どちらかといえば高まっている」－「どちらかといえば低くなっている」－「低くなっている」×2により計算。

第25図 仕事に対する意欲が低くなった理由（上位10項目・複数回答）

資料出所（独）労働政策研究・研修機構「従業員の意識と人材マネジメントの課題に関する調査（従業員調査）」（2008年）

第26図 従業員規模別パート、派遣、契約社員等の割合（非農林業）

資料出所 総務省統計局「労働力調査特別調査」、「労働力調査（詳細集計）」

（注）1）役員を除く雇用者に占める割合。官公を除く。

2）1987年及び1997年は2月調査。2007年は1～3月平均。
## (不本意な就業者の低い満足感)

（独）労働政策研究・研修機構「多様化する就業形態の下での人事戦略と労働者の意識に関する調査」により、就業形態別に仕事への満足者割合をみると、全体としてみれば、非正社員の方が正社員よりも満足者割合が高い中で、非正社員のうち、現在の就業形態を選んだ理由が正社員になれなかったからとする者についてみると、その満足者割合は低い（第27図）。

このように、正社員以外の者であっても、その就業形態を主体的に選んだ者の満足度は正社員と比べると決して低くはないが、やむを得ずその就業形態を選んだ不本意な就業者の満足感は相対的に低いことが分かる。

## (さらなる改善が望まれる雇用情勢)

経済の持続的な成長を通じて完全失業率の低下などさらなる雇用情勢の改善を目指していくためには、経済の潜在的な成長力を強化する取組とともに、長期的な視点に立った適切なマクロ経済運営によって、景気変動の振幅を極力抑えていくことが重要である。マクロ経済運営では、トレード・オフの関係にあるインフレ率と完全失業率（または産出量ギャップ）の関係を勘案し、社会的な損失が最小化されるよう運営されることが基本である。

消費者物価（前年比）と完全失業率の関係をみると、消費税の導入・税率引き上げに伴う変動はみられるものの、1990年代以降右下の方向（物価低下・失業増加）へと推移し、2002年以降は、景気の回復に伴い左上の方向（物価上昇・失業減少）へと推移している。また、物価上昇率について、消費税要因を除去し労働力需給の状況を反映した物価上昇率を推計すると、2007年の物価上昇率は、概ねトレンド上にある（第28図）。現時点では、国内需要の拡大に伴って物価上昇率が加速度的に上昇するようなマクロ経済の環境にはなく、緩和的な金融政策運営が継続される下で、引き続き雇用情勢が改善していくことが望まれる。

## (求められる全員参加型社会)

今後、人口減少が進む中で、持続的な経済の成長を実現していくためには、より多くの就業参加と高い労働生産性を実現することが不可欠である。長期雇用を基本としつつも、これまでの雇用管理を漸進的に見直していくとともに、長期雇用の下で意欲を喪失しかけている中高年が存在しているという現実を直視し、やむを得ず退職していく人々の就業支援を拡充していくことも望まれるように思われる。このことは、企業内で不満を持つ人々の発言力を高め、企業内の賃金制度をより公正なものに変えていくことにも役立つと考えられる。

働く人一人ひとりの意欲の向上を通じ、より多くの就業参加者を促し、労働生産性の向上を図っていくことが重要である。また、そのためにも、持続的な経済成長を通じ、社会の活力を高めていくことが必要であり、将来を見据えたマクロ経済運営とともに、長期雇用やそれを補完するための転職者の職業キャリアの支援などの拡充を通じて、我が国の潜在的な成長力を高めていくことが課題である（第29図）。
第27図 年齢階級別現在の仕事への満足者割合

資料出所 （独）労働政策研究・研修機構「多様化する就業形態の下での人事戦略と労働者の意識に関する調査（従業員調査）」（2006年）に基づく推計

第28図 消費者物価（前年比）と完全失業率の相関

資料出所 総務省統計局「消費者物価指数」、「労働力調査」

（注）1）消费者物価は、生鮮食品を除く総合指数。

2) 図中の線は、最小2乗法（コクラン・オーカット法）にて推計した下式により、消費税要因を除去した関係式を表す。

（点線）消費者物価上昇率 = -3.052 · ln（失業率） + 1.204 · dm89 + 1.681 · dm97 + 4.247（adjR²=0.918, DW=1.381）

(t=-5.958) (t=2.273) (t=3.218)

（実線）消費者物価上昇率= $ 10.3234 \cdot 1 \neq $ （失業率） $ +1.111 \cdot dm89 + 1.774 \cdot dm97 - 2.668 $ （ $ adjR^{2}=0.932, DW=1.507 $ ） $ (t=6.834) $ $ (t=2.294) $ $ (t=3.730) $

第29図 労働力人口の推移と見通し

資料出所 総務省統計局「労働力調査」及び（独）労働政策研究・研修機構労働力需給推計研究会推計資料をもとに厚生労働省労働政策担当参事官室にて作成

(注) 実質経済成長率は、労働市場への参加が進まないケースでは、2006～2017年で年率0.9%程度、2017～2030年で年率0.7%程度、労働市場への参加が進むケースでは、2006～2017年で年率2.1%程度、2017～2030年で年率1.9%程度としている。
Part 2

Major Policies Related to

Immigration Control Administration

in FY 2011
Chapter 1 Efforts by the Immigration Bureau concerning the Great East Japan Earthquake

# Section 1 ☐ Measures concerning the Procedures of Immigration and Residence Associated with Disaster Occurrence

## Extension of Period of Stay Based on the Act on Special Measures concerning Preservation of Rights and Interests of Victims of Specified Disaster

The Immigration Bureau took measures for foreign nationals subject to notification by the Ministry of Justice, based on Article 3, Paragraph (2) of the law regarding special measures for protecting rights and benefits of victims of the disasters (hereinafter called the Act on Special Measures), are all allowed to postpone the expiry date of the period of stay until August 31, 2011 without taking any particular measures.

(Foreign Nationals Subject to the Notification)

The foreign nationals who fall under the following categories:

(1) The foreign nationals whose period of stay will be terminated by August 30, 2011 due to administrative measures (including landing permission) taken before the occurrence of the Great East Japan Earthquake (hereinafter called the 3.11 Earthquake).

(2) The foreign nationals “residing in districts in Aomori Prefecture, districts in Iwate Prefecture, districts in Miyagi Prefecture, districts in Fukushima Prefecture, or districts in Ibaraki Prefecture (hereinafter called designated districts)”, or “those residing in the designated districts as registered in their alien registration cards approved in accordance with the provisions of Article 4, Paragraph (1) of the Alien Registration Act”.

Even if foreign nationals are not covered by the Notification, the Immigration Bureau took measures for extension of the expiration date of stay until August 31, to the people who have been affected by the 3.11 Earthquake and have the expiration date of period of stay by August 31, 2011, provided that they shall be covered under

Article 3 of the Special Measures Act.

Additionally, the bureau took measures for extension of the relevant expiration date under Article 3, Paragraph (3) of the Special Measures Act, in line with individual cases, if foreign nationals were not able to leave Japan or apply permission due to the 3.11 Earthquake.

Airport immediately after the earthquake
## 2 Implementation of Prompt Acceptance of Rescue Teams from Foreign Countries, Regions, and International Organizations

From March 12 to April 24, 2011, rescue teams of approximately 1,100 people from 21 countries and regions including the U.S., Russia, France, and R.O.Korea entered Japan from Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Misawa Air Base, and Yokota Air Base. For the purpose of landing examination of rescue teams, the Immigration Bureau used simple and prompt methods, including no requirement of landing permission stamp on their passports by issuing temporal landing permission cards prepared by immigration inspectors in advance.

## 3 Implementation of Prompt Embarkation Procedure for Foreign Nationals Who Desire to Leave Japan due to the Earthquake (1) Re-entry Permission

After the 3.11 Earthquake, the peak number of applications of re-entry permission to the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau (including branches and local offices) in a peak day reached approximately 20,000, which is approximately 12 times as much as in an average day. Under such a high number of applications, immigration inspectors of all examination divisions handled the work in respective offices. Meanwhile, even immigration control officers formed applicants waiting for procedures into lines and guided them. Thus the entire bureau responded to various affairs from early morning to the middle of the night, while promptly handling the application procedure by simplifying description to application forms as much as possible in order to further reduce the processing time.

Around 1km-long row of people waiting for the proce\-dures for re-entry permission after the earthquake

## (2) Embarkation Procedure (including embarkation after re-entry permission)

In Narita Airport, the peak number of the foreign nationals who took the embarkation procedure in a day reached approximately 20,000, which was twice as many as that in the same time last year. Such a movement was thus observed nationwide. Under such circumstances, the Immigration Bureau dispatched the staff members from the head office of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau and the Higashi-Nihon Immigration Center to Narita, Haneda, Niigata Airports for the purpose of conducting embarkation examinations in the airports during the three consecutive holidays from March 19 to March 21. The examination procedure was handled without any confusion.
## 4 Measures for Smooth Re-entry to Japan of International Students and Training and Technical Interns Who left Japan without Re-entry Permission due to the Earthquake

If the foreigners, who have left Japan, re-enter Japan without re-entry permission, certificates of eligibility are usually required, but the Immigration Bureau simplified the re-entry permission procedure as an exception for international students, who left Japan shortly after the earthquake without re-entry permission, after consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, so that such students might obtain visas at Japanese Embassies and Consulates as soon as possible.

The Immigration Bureau also took measures for the foreign trainees and technical interns who left Japan shortly after the earthquake without re-entry permission to obtain visas at Japanese Embassies and Consulates, if they desired to continue the training and technical intern training programs, which they had obtained, after re-entry to Japan, provided that the conditions of the environment to implement relevant training and internship were met, and they were specially permitted to enter Japan provided that the continuity of their activities were recognized in landing examination.

## 5 Establishment of Immigration Examination Mobile Teams

Upon the passage of the third supplementary budget for FY2011, an Immigration Examination Mobile Team (consisting of three immigration inspectors) was established at each of eight Regional Immigration Bureaus (Sapporo, Sendai, Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima, Takamatsu and Fukuoka), as part of the measures to strengthen the immigration examination system during an emergency situation, for the purpose of promptly and smoothly handling departure of foreign nationals by foreign governments' charter flights and acceptance of rescue teams from foreign countries (upon the passage of the budget for FY2012, the establishment of an additional Mobile Team was accepted for the Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka Regional Immigration Bureaus).

Immigration Examination Mobile Teams are equipped with instruments necessary for immigration inspectors to conduct examinations at airports and seaports. Through the establishment of Immigration Examination Mobile Teams, the intention is to develop a system under which the relevant Regional Immigration Bureau dispatches immigration inspectors, who are the members of the Mobile Teams, and has them conduct examinations.

### Section 2 ☐ Cooperation for Safety Confirmation of Foreign Nationals Who Might Have Affected by the 3.11 Earthquake

## 1 Providing Reports Concerning Foreign Reports in Affected Regions

The Immigration Bureau provided information on registered foreign nationals $ ^{*} $ in affected regions $ ^{**} $ , who might have affected by the 3.11 Earthquake, for the purpose of the safety confirmation
of foreign nationals who might have affected by the 3.11 earthquake, based on the request of local governments and foreign diplomatic missions in Japan.

As of February 1, 2012, the Immigration Bureau provided information concerning 76,761 registered foreign nationals to three prefectures damaged by the earthquake (Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima) and 54 foreign diplomatic missions in Japan. Specifically, relevant information on a total of 32,411 registered foreign nationals was notified each of Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures, while relevant information on a total of 44,350 registered foreign nationals was sent to the 54 diplomatic missions of countries and regions.

If such local governments or foreign diplomatic missions requested to know the information on whether such registered people had left Japan or not, the Immigration Bureau responded on it. As of February 1, 2012, the Immigration Bureau provided information on 6,033 registered foreign nationals to Iwate prefecture and on a total of 8,345 registered foreign nationals to 8 diplomatic missions of countries and regions.

## 2 Response on Embarkation for the Purpose of Safety Confirmation

The Immigration Bureau responded to inquiries for embarkation for Japanese people and registered foreign nationals in the municipalities under the Disaster Relief Act in Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, and Ibaraki Prefectures, for the safety confirmation of relevant people, if their family, relatives, and other related people requested inquiry.

As of February 1, 2012, the Immigration Bureau responded to 61 cases of inquiries for embarkation concerning a total of 301 people.

## Section 3 ☐ Cooperation for Alien Registration

The Immigration Bureau cooperated with relevant organizations for the following alien registration.

At first, the Immigration Bureau notified all municipalities throughout Japan on measures that if foreign nationals had resided in affected areas, and if they requested for relevant municipalities to issue certificates of registered matters of alien registration records at evacuation centers, the municipalities, where such foreign nationals stayed, were permitted to issue provisional cards instead of relevant certificates as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Immigration Bureau prepared alien registration records for all registered foreign nationals in relevant municipalities based on the data from the Ministry of Justice, for the purpose of support of reproduction of municipal alien registration records by municipalities that lost alien registration records, as well as support of safety confirmation of affected people, and the bureau provided relevant records for relevant municipalities, if they requested them.

For the purpose of support of municipalities which had significant difficulty in usual activities in alien registration due to the damage caused by the disaster, the Immigration Bureau covered a part of tasks concerning alien registration usually conducted by such municipalities for a certain period. $ ^{*} $
In addition, the Immigration Bureau made an effort to notify and promote municipalities not to hesitate to ask and consult with the bureau about wide range of issues, so that such municipalities could consult with the bureau at ease even if no person in charge of alien registration was able to respond to foreign nationals due to the disaster.

Furthermore, up to July 9, 2012, the date on which the alien registration system was abolished upon the enforcement of the Immigration Control Act amended by the Act to Amend the Immigration Control Act, etc., the Immigration Bureau took special measures for foreign nationals who had evacuated apart from their original registered place of residence and were unable to take procedures to change the place of residence to the municipalities where they took refuge, so that they could take various procedures for alien registration via relevant municipalities.

## Section 4 ♦ Providing Information for Foreign Nationals Affected by the Earthquake

The Immigration Bureau implemented more positive public relations activities, based on the recognition that it was important to promptly provide necessary information for foreign nationals affected by the 3.11 Earthquake particularly from a standpoint of supporting such victims.

Concretely, for the purpose of responding to consultations on various procedures including re-entry permission, the Immigration Bureau established inquiry counters exclusively used for affairs concerning the 3.11 Earthquake at all regional immigration bureaus in Japan. The bureau also established telephone consultation services with exclusive lines, responding to inquiries on the phone at weekends as well.

The Immigration Bureau also established a website titled “Immigration Bureau Great East Japan Earthquake Special Homepage” and posted information on measures of support for affected people in multiple languages (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese), including extension of period of stay for foreign nationals living in affected areas and inquiries on embarkation of foreign nationals who had resided in affected areas and information on various types of support for foreign embassies in Japan and local governments.

Furthermore, in cooperation with the International Organization for Migration(IOM), the Immigration Bureau provided necessary information. For example, the staff members of the Immigration Bureau went to the affected areas with the IOM staff and provided information, by distributing leaflets concerning measures of support for affected people taken by the bureau.
## Chapter 2 Introduction of the Points-based Preferential Treatment for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals in immigration procedure

## Section 1 ☐ Background of its introduction

The “Basic Plan for Immigration Control (4th edition)” advocates smooth acceptance of foreign nationals in order to revitalize the country’s economy and society, and requires study on the introduction of the points-based preferential immigration treatment system for highly skilled foreign nationals as a means to facilitate the acceptance of human resources that contributes to the country’s economic growth and otherwise meets the needs of society.

The “New Growth Strategy” (decided by the Cabinet on June 18, 2010) indicates that the intention to foster global human resources and expand the acceptance of highly-skilled professionals, thereby doubling the number of highly-skilled foreign nationals residing in Japan. Furthermore, the “Policy on Regulatory/Systemic Reforms” (decided by the Cabinet on June 18, 2010) incorporated the introduction of the points-based system for facilitating the acceptance of highly-skilled foreign professionals as one of the matters to be coped with for regulatory reforms. The “Strategy for Rebirth of Japan” (decided by the Cabinet in December 24, 2011) also states that the conclusion on the preferential immigration treatment system utilizing the points-based system should be reached among related ministries and agencies within 2011 and should be publicly notified swiftly based on the conclusion.

In response to these cabinet decisions on economic policy and growth strategy, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and other related ministries and agencies had discussed and studied on the points-based preferential treatment in immigration procedure for promoting the acceptance of foreign nationals with advanced abilities and qualities who are expected to contribute the country's to economic growth and the creation of new demand and employment under the current framework for accepting foreign workers. After the deliberations the results regarding the details of the system were publicized on December 28, 2011. After going through procedures for public comments regarding the draft of Public Notices of the Ministry of Justice that establishes the points-based system, the Public Notice of the Ministry of Justice was enacted on March 30, 2012 and put into effect on May 7, 2012.

## Section 2 ☐ Outline of the System

In order to promote the acceptance of foreign nationals with advanced abilities and qualities (highly skilled professionals) who are expected to contribute to the country's economic growth and the creation of new demand and employment under the current framework for accepting foreign workers, a points-based system has been adopted. The preferential treatment provides three categories of activities, namely, “advanced academic research activities”, “advanced professional and technical activities” and “advanced administrative and management activities”, all of which are
subdivided into point items based on the characters of these activities, such as “academic background”, “business career” and “annual income”. When a foreign national satisfies a criterion by gaining a predetermined number of the total collected points of the items, he/she is authorized as a “highly-skilled foreign professional (HSFP)” and granted the status of residence as “designated activities”, which allows him/her to stay in Japan for a longer period, by which he/she becomes eligible to enjoy preferential treatment in immigration procedure.

Foreign nationals who are recognized as HSFP may receive the following preferential treatment in immigration procedure.

## (1) Permission for multiple purposes of residence activities

Conventionally, foreign nationals are not allowed to conduct activities beyond the scope permitted under their status of residence. However, HSFP may conduct multiple purposes of activities covering multiple statuses of residence.

## (2) Grants of five-year period of stay

Normally, the period of stay is decided by status and is determined in accordance with each person's residence status and content of activities. However, the maximum period of residence permissible under the Immigration Act is granted to qualified foreign professionals regardless of the period of stay they actually intended.

## (3) Relaxation of requirements for grant of the permission for permanent residence in line with the history of staying in Japan

In order to obtain the permission for permanent residence, foreign nationals need to have stayed in Japan at least 10 years, in principle. However, those who have continuously conducted activities as HSFP for four and half years are eligible to apply the permission for permanent residence.

## (4) Preferential processing of immigration and residence procedures

For highly-skilled professionals, preliminary immigration procedures and residence procedures will be preferentially processed within 10 business days and within 5 business days, respectively, after application are accepted by immigration authority.

## (5) Work permission for the spouse

When foreign nationals staying in Japan with the status of residence as “Spouse” intend to engage in activities falling under such categories as “Instructor”, “Engineer” and “Specialist in Humanities/ International Services”, they usually need to satisfy certain requirements, such as academic background and business career, and further obtain the relevant status of residence. However, spouse of an HSFP may be allowed to engage in these activities with their status of residence as the spouse of an HSFP, without satisfying the requirements of academic background and/or business career.