## (5) Permission to Engage in an Activity Other than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted (Article 19(2) of the Immigration Control Act)

A foreign national who is granted a status of residence according to the activities in which he/she is engaged in Japan must receive permission to engage in an activity other than those permitted by the status of residence previously granted if the foreign national wishes to become engaged in activities “related to the management of business involving income or activities for which he/she receives remuneration which are not included in those activities under his/her category of status of residence”. A typical example is that of a foreign national college student or pre-college student who wishes to have a part-time job. The Minister of Justice will give permission to the extent that the extra activity does not interfere with the activity that is the original purpose of residence.

The number of foreign nationals who obtained such permission in 2009 was 147,352, an increase by 14,015 (10.5%) from 2008. This is an increase by 47,352 (47.3%) from 2005 (Table 9).

## (6) Permission for Permanent Residence (Article 22 of the Immigration Control Act)

The status of permanent residence is granted when certain conditions have been satisfied by foreign nationals who reside in Japan under another status of residence and who have applied for change of status of residence to permanent residence or by those who have applied to acquire status of residence due to birth or renouncement of Japanese nationality.

With respect to permission for permanent residence, the Immigration Bureau decided in February 1998 to review the operation standard from the standpoint of ensuring deregulation, simplification and rationalization of clerical work and, at the same time, clarified the existing treatment of applicants. At the time of this review, the Immigration Bureau clarified the interpretation for the examination of statutory requirements, reviewed the history of staying in Japan corresponding to status and decided to treat persons having a special circumstance, such as being a spouse of Japanese national, more flexibly.

For the purpose of clarifying the requirements for granting permission for permanent residence to foreign nationals who are considered to contribute to Japan, the Immigration Bureau established on March 31, 2005 the “Guidelines for Contribution to Japan”, and publicly announced it on its website. Also, the Immigration Bureau posts cases where the contribution was recognized and permission for permanent residence was granted, and where permission was not granted, on its website and updates it from time to time. On March 31, 2006, the Immigration Bureau established the “Guideline for Permission for Permanent Residence” to publicly announce general requirements relating to permission for permanent residence, and the standard for the number of years of residence, and partially amended the “Guidelines for Contribution to Japan”.

The number of foreign nationals who were granted permission for permanent residence in 2007 was a record high of 60,509. However, the number decreased to 57,806 in 2008 and 53,960 in 2009, which has been on the decline. (Table 14)