foreign nationals on other administrative services and introduce relevant administrative agencies to them.

2. Measures for Recovering Japan’s Public Security through Promotion of Tough Border Measures and Substantial Reduction of Illegal Foreign Residents

The number of illegal foreign residents in Japan is now estimated at some 240,000. Over recent years, foreign nationals’ crimes in Japan have become more serious. Brutal crimes including break-in robberies have increased and some foreign nationals have collaborated with crime syndicates in committing crimes. It has been pointed out that the presence of illegal foreign residents has become a hotbed for crimes committed by foreign nationals.

In order to address such a situation, the Ministerial Meeting against Crimes formulated an “Action Plan for the Realization of a Society Resistant to Crime” in December 2003. According to this action plan, the government will aim at reducing the number of illegal foreign residents by half in the next five years to ensure public security. It also indicates that it is necessary to eliminate unreasonable suspicion toward the many foreign nationals who are staying in Japan peacefully and legally.

In order to openly accept foreign nationals who are needed in Japan, the immigration control administration should develop an environment where foreign nationals are easily accepted, by reducing the number of illegal foreign residents who influence Japanese society to resist acceptance of all foreign nationals. Strong measures to halve the number of illegal foreign residents will be promoted in reinforced cooperation with the police and other relevant agencies.

Enhancement of measures to prevent terrorists from entering Japan has become a key challenge. Tougher border measures to forestall terrorist attacks will be promoted based on the “Action Plan for Prevention of Terrorism” as adopted at the Headquarters for Promotion of Measures Against Transnational Organized Crime and Other Relative Issues and International Terrorism in December 2004.

## (1) Promoting Border Measures

Border measures are needed to block the entry of terrorists and other foreign nationals planning to commit crimes in Japan, as well as those planning to illegally stay or work in Japan. These measures will be aggressively promoted in cooperation with relevant agencies or officials including crisis management officials at international airports and seaports.

### A. Implementing Stricter Examinations for Landing

In order to reduce the number of illegal foreign residents in Japan, it is necessary to prevent foreign nationals who wish to stay illegally from coming to and entering Japan. Regarding the status of residence of “Temporary Visitor” which accounts for 70% of the status illegal foreign residents have, as well as the “Entertainer,” “Pre-college Student,” “College Student” and “Trainee” statuses of residence which account for a large percentage of the status illegal foreign residents have, stricter examinations for landing will be implemented based on analysis of the accepting organizations and their home countries. Landing permission conditions will also be reviewed as needed. Stricter examinations on applications for certificates of eligibility will be implemented through investigation of