### Chapter 1. Outline of the Amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act

The Act for Partial Amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act was passed and enacted on June 11, 2014 at the 186th session of the Diet and was promulgated on June 18, 2014 (Act No. 74 of 2014). An outline of which is as given below.

## Promotion of the Acceptance of Foreign Professionals with Highly-Specialized Skills

In May 2012, a points-based system of preferential immigration treatment for highly-skilled foreign professionals was introduced for foreign nationals possessing advanced skills and qualities, with the expectation that they will be able to contribute to Japan's economic growth, and we are currently promoting the acceptance of such highly-skilled foreign professionals (see Chapter III for further details).

Amid such circumstances, the “Japan Revitalization Strategy” approved by the Cabinet on June 14, 2013 included the text, “Realization of easier entrance into Japan for the highly-skilled and talented foreign nationals is expected to contribute to the growth of the Japanese economy. To this end, reconsider the income standards used for the points-based preferential immigration treatment for highly-skilled foreign professionals and reduce the time that foreign nationals are required to reside in Japan before receiving permanent resident status (from 5 years to 3 years). Start the new system within the year.”

Based on the Japan Revitalization Strategy, the current amendment established a new status of residence to be applied to such highly-skilled foreign professionals in order to further promote the acceptance of foreign human resources with highly-specialized skills. Specifically, a new status of residence – "Highly Skilled Professional (i)", was established for those highly-skilled professionals who have been given preferential immigration treatment and currently possess the status of residence of "Designated Activities" and their legal position was also clarified, and moreover, a new status of residence – "Highly Skilled Professional (ii)" was established for those foreign nationals who have been residing in Japan for a certain period (currently envisaged to be about three years) with the aforementioned status of residence of "Highly Skilled Professional (i)" and this status of residence will have an indefinite period of stay with a substantial easing of the restrictions on activities.

Similar to the status of residence of “Permanent Resident”, 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, it differs from “Permanent Resident” which has no restrictions on activities, because “Highly Skilled Professional (ii)” requires engaging in activities as a highly-skilled professional. As a result, if a foreign national residing 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 of 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 organization of affiliation (workplace, etc.) not being required to give a notification to the Minister of Justice. On the other hand, “Highly Skilled Professional (ii)” is given preferential immigration treatment which is not accorded to “Permanent Resident” such as allowing parents or domestic staff to accompany the highly-skilled foreign professional.

This provision will enter into effect from April 1, 2015.