Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
# Introduction

# Publication of the 2014 Immigration Control Report

Kansai International Airport

(Photo credit, New Kansai International Airport Company, Ltd.)

The immigration report entitled “Immigration Control”, first published in 1959, has now reached its 20th edition. Prior to the 2003 report, “Immigration Control” was a publication which only summarized the trends in immigration control administration over a five-year period. However, given the accelerated pace of changes in the conditions affecting Japan’s immigration control policies, immigration control administration has had to incorporate various new measures so as to be able to respond properly. In line with the rapid changes, starting in 2004, the “Immigration Control” report has been published annually mainly summarizing the trends in immigration control administration over a twelve-month period.

The 2014 Immigration Control Report gives a brief description of the operations of the Immigration Bureau and, while looking back over the changes in the operations which took place over the past five years from 2009 to 2013, gives a summary focusing mainly on the actions taken in FY 2013 such as the efforts toward the achievement of a tourism-oriented country intended to attract more foreign tourists to Japan, the review of the points-based system offering preferential immigration treatment to highly-skilled foreign professionals in December 2013, the reduction in the number of illegal and imposter foreign residents, and the measures taken for stringent prevention of the entry of possible terrorists at the port of entry.
Part I, entitled “What is Immigration Control Administration? Equitable Control over the Entry into and Departure from Japan of All Persons,” briefly explains the role of the Immigration Bureau (Chapter 1) and gives an outline of Japan’s immigration control system (Chapter 2).

Part II, entitled “Immigration Control in Recent Years,” introduces, based on statistical data, such topics as foreign nationals entering and departing from Japan (Chapter 1), foreign nationals residing in Japan (Chapter 2), implementation of technical intern training programs (Chapter 3), Japanese nationals departing from and returning to Japan (Chapter 4), deportation procedures for foreign nationals (Chapter 5), recognition of refugee status (Chapter 6), and promotion of measures against trafficking in persons and proper protection of foreign victims of domestic violence (Chapter 7).

Part III, entitled “Major Policies Related to Immigration Control Administration in FY 2013,” gives an outline of the amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Chapter 1), smooth and strict implementation of immigration examinations at the port of entry (Chapter 2), review of the points-based system offering preferential immigration treatment to highly-skilled foreign professionals (Chapter 3), measures against illegal or imposter foreign residents in Japan (Chapter 4), promotion of appropriate and prompt refugee protection (Chapter 5), responses to international society and international situations (Chapter 6), improvement of public relations activities and public services (Chapter 7), policy for the achievement of a symbiotic society together with foreign nationals (Chapter 8), and discussions on future immigration control administration (Chapter 9).

Furthermore, the data section features the major developments relating to immigration control administration and related statistics since April 1, 2013.

Finally, we hope through this report that immigration control administration will prove to be beneficial and easy to understand.

12, 2014

## Hiroshi Inoue
# Points of the 2014 Immigration Control Report

## ■ Organization of the 2014 Immigration Control Report

This report consists of three parts: An Outline of Immigration Control Administration (Part I), Immigration Control in Recent Years (Part II), and Major Policies in FY 2013 (Part III), as well as a Data Section.

☐ Part I summarizes the operations of the Immigration Bureau.

☐ Part II describes the immigration operations conducted during 2013 based on statistics over the five-year period from 2009 to 2013.

☐ Part III describes the major immigration control policies implemented during FY 2013 (as well as some of the measures for FY 2014).

## Part I What Is Immigration Control Administration? Equitable Control over the Entry into and Departure from Japan of All Persons

☐ The role of the Immigration Bureau

Japan’s immigration control system

## Part II Immigration Control in Recent Years

## Number of foreign nationals entering Japan in 2013

The number of foreign nationals who entered Japan in 2013 (including those who re-entered Japan with a re-entry permit) was 11,255,221, and the number of foreign nationals newly entering Japan, excluding those who had re-entered, was 9,554,415, which marked a substantial increase of 2,083,075 (22.7%) and 2,004,417 (26.5%), respectively. This substantial increase in the number of foreign nationals entering Japan in 2013 is thought to have been partly caused by the fact that travelling to Japan is cheaper than before owing to the weaker yen, and that the measures taken by the government towards realizing a tourism-oriented country such as the measure to deregulate visas for ASEAN countries has prompted an increase in tourists.

## ☐ Number of foreign residents as of the end of 2013

The number of foreign residents combining the number of mid to long-term residents with the number of special permanent residents was 2,066,445 as of the end of 2013, increased by 1.6% compared to the end of 2012.

The percentage of foreign residents to the total population of Japan was 1.62%, increased by 0.03 point compared to the number at the end of 2012.

## ○ Number of foreign nationals illegally staying beyond their authorized period of stay

The number of foreign nationals illegally staying beyond their authorized period of stay as of January 1, 2014 was 59,061. This marks a consistent decline from the 298,646 recorded on May 1, 1993 when the number reached the highest record ever.
## Promotion of appropriate and prompt refugee protection

- In order to quickly stabilize the legal status of foreign nationals who are to be recognized as refugees, the Immigration Bureau set six months as the standard processing time for the examination of refugee applications, and the average processing and examination times for each quarter of FY 2013 were kept to less than six months.

- A program to accept and support the resettlement of Myanmarese refugees who were staying in a refugee camp in Thailand was launched in FY 2010 as a pilot project for the acceptance of refugees desiring resettlement. The first group consisting of 27 refugees from five families came to Japan in FY 2010, 18 refugees from four families came to Japan in FY 2011, and 18 refugees from four families came to Japan in FY 2013 (Although 16 refugees from three families were to enter Japan in FY2012, each of them declined the offer of acceptance prior to entry into Japan.).

- Based on the results of the Advisory Council on Resettlement held under the auspices of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues from March 2012 to December 2013, Japan's future policy on resettlement was approved by the Cabinet on January 24, 2014, and in accordance with the contents of this Cabinet Agreement and the "Specific Measures for the Admission of Refugees through Resettlement" (decision of the Liaison and Coordination Council for Refugee Issues of January 24, 2014), Myanmarese refugees who are staying temporarily in Malaysia are to be eligible for acceptance from FY 2015 onwards.

## ☐ Responses to international society and international situations

- The Immigration Bureau has actively participated in negotiations to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with various countries.

- Based on an EPA, nurse and care worker candidates have been accepted from Indonesia since FY 2008 and from the Philippines since FY 2009, and the number of foreign nationals accepted up until FY 2013 was 1,048 from Indonesia and 821 from the Philippines. In addition, nurse and care worker candidates have been accepted from Vietnam since FY 2014.

- The Immigration Bureau attended international conferences, including G8 meetings and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to develop cooperative ties and to share information through discussions and exchanges of opinions with other countries.
## 2014 Immigration Control Report

## Introduction - Publication of the 2014 Immigration Control Report Points of the 2014 Immigration Control Report Contents

### Part I. What Is Immigration Control Administration? Equitable Control over the Entry into and Departure from Japan of All Persons

Chapter 1. The Role of the Immigration Bureau 2

Chapter 2. Japan’s Immigration Control System 3

Section 1. Purpose and Legal Basis 3

Section 2. Immigration Procedures for All Persons 4

① Procedures for the Entry and Departure of Foreign Nationals 4

② Procedures for Entry (Landing) Examinations of Foreign Nationals 5

(1) Entry (Landing) Examinations 5

(2) Hearing 5

(3) Filing of an Objection 5

③ Pre-entry Examination 7

(1) Advance Consultation for Issuance of Visas 7

(2) Certificate of Eligibility 7

④ Special Landing Permission 9

(1) Permission for Landing at a Port of Call 9

(2) Permission for Landing in Transit 9

(3) Landing Permission for Crew Members 9

(4) Permission for Emergency Landing 10

(5) Landing Permission Due to Distress 10

⑤ Procedures for the Departure and Return of Japanese Nationals 10

Section 3. Examination of the Status of Residence of Foreign Nationals 10

① Status of Residence System 10

② Examination of the Status of Residence 14
(1) Permission for Change of Status of Residence 14
(2) Permission for Extension of the Period of Stay 15
(3) Permission for Permanent Residence 15
(4) Permission for Acquisition of a Status of Residence 15
(5) Re-entry Permission 15
(6) Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted 16

③ System of Revocation of Statuses of Residence 16
Section 4. Residency Management System of Mid to Long-Term Residents, etc. 17

① Residency Management System of Mid to Long-Term Residents 17
(1) Residence Card 18
(2) Notifications and Applications Relating to Residence Cards 19
A. Notification of the Place of Residence 19
(a) Notification of the Place of Residence after Newly Landing in Japan 19
(b) Notification of the Place of Residence in Connection with a Change in the Status of Residence and Other Related Matters 19
(c) Notification of a Change of Place of Residence 19
B. Notification of a Change of an Item on the Residence Card Other than the Place of Residence 19
C. Application to Extend the Valid Period of the Residence Card 20
D. Application for Reissuance of a Residence Card Due to Loss or Other Causes 20
E. Application for Reissuance of a Residence Card Due to Damage or Soiling 20
(3) Notification Concerning the Organization of Affiliation or Concerning the Spouse 21
A. Notification from a Mid to Long-term Resident Concerning the Organization of Affiliation 21
(a) Notification Concerning the Organization Where the Foreign National Is Engaging in Activities 21
(b) Notification Concerning the Contracting Organization 21
(c) Notification Concerning the Spouse of the Foreign National 21
B. Notification Concerning Mid to Long-term Residents to be Given by the Organization of Affiliation 22

② Measures Pertaining to Special Permanent Residents 23
(1) Revision of the System of Special Permanent Residents 23
(2) Special Permanent Resident Certificate 23
(3) Publicity Measures Relating to Applications to Switch from the Registration Certificate to the Special Permanent Resident Certificate 23
Article: Residential Basic Books System Pertaining to Foreign Residents ..... 24
Article: Measures to Increase Convenience by using Immigration Bureau’s electronic notification system ..... 26
Section 5. Deportation Procedures for Foreign Nationals ..... 28
① Investigation into Violations by an Immigration Control Officer ..... 30
② Examination of Violations by an Immigration Inspector/Hearing by a Special Inquiry Officer ..... 30
③ Determinations by the Minister of Justice ..... 30
④ Granting or Denial of Permission for Residence ..... 30
(1) Denial of Permission for Residence (Deportation) ..... 30
(2) Special Cases of Determinations by the Minister of Justice (Special Permission to Stay in Japan) ..... 31
⑤ Departure Order System ..... 31
Section 6. Refugee Recognition Procedures ..... 31
① Signing of the Refugee Convention ..... 31
② Refugee Recognition Procedures ..... 32
(1) Definitions ..... 32
(2) Permission for Provisional Stay ..... 32
(3) Inquiry into the Facts ..... 32
(4) Recognition of Refugee Status by the Minister of Justice and Effects of Refugee Status ..... 32
③ Filing of an Objection ..... 33
④ Landing Permission for Temporary Refuge ..... 34
Section 7. Basic Plan for Immigration Control ..... 34
### Part II. Immigration Control in Recent Years

Chapter 1. Foreign Nationals Entering and Departing from Japan
Section 1. Changes in the Number of Foreign Nationals Entering and Departing from Japan
1 Foreign Nationals Entering Japan
(1) The Number of Foreign Nationals Entering Japan
(2) The Number of Foreign Nationals Entering Japan by Nationality/Region
(3) The Number of Foreign Nationals Entering Japan by Gender and Age
(4) The Number of Foreign Nationals Entering Japan by Purpose of Entry (Status of Residence)
A. "Temporary Visitors"
B. Foreign Nationals Entering Japan for the Purpose of Employment in Professional or Technical Fields
C. "Student"
D. "Trainee" and "Technical Intern Training (i)"
E. Foreign Nationals Entering Japan with a Status of Residence for Resident Activities Based on Personal Status or Position
2 Special Landing Permission
(1) Permission for Landing at a Port of Call
(2) Permission for Landing in Transit
(3) Landing Permission for Crew Members
(4) Permission for Emergency Landing
(5) Landing Permission Due to Distress
(6) Landing Permission for Temporary Refuge
3 Foreign Nationals Leaving Japan
Article: At the front line of immigration control administration (voice of an immigration inspector in charge of immigration examinations)
Section 2. Judgment for Landing
1 Receipt and Processing of Hearings for Landing and Filing of Objections
2 Foreign Nationals Falling Under Any of the Grounds for Denial of Landing
3 Special Permission for Landing
Article: At the front line of immigration control administration (voice of an immigration inspector in charge of the work of adjudication) ..... 56
Section 3. Pre-entry Examination ..... 57
1 Advance Consultation for Visa Issuance ..... 57
2 Certificate of Eligibility ..... 57
Chapter 2. Foreign Nationals Residing in Japan
Section 1. The Number of Foreign Residents in Japan ..... 58
1 The Number of Foreign Residents in Japan ..... 58
2 The Number of Foreign Residents by Nationality/Region ..... 59
3 The Number of Foreign Residents by Purpose (Status of Residence) ..... 59
(1) "Permanent Resident" and "Special Permanent Resident" ..... 59
(2) Foreign Nationals Residing in Japan for the Purpose of Employment in Professional or Technical Fields ..... 61
(3) "Student" ..... 63
(4) "Technical Intern Training (i) and (ii)" ..... 63
(5) "Trainee" ..... 63
(6) "Designated Activities" ..... 63
(7) Foreign Nationals Residing in Japan with a Status of Residence for Resident Activities Based on Personal Status or Position ..... 64
4 Total Number of Foreign Residents ..... 64
Section 2. Examination of Statuses of Residence ..... 67
1 Permission for Change in the Status of Residence ..... 68
(1) Change of Status of Residence from the Status of Residence of "Student" to a Status for Employment Purposes ..... 68
(2) Permission to Change Status of Residence in Order to Participate in "Technical Intern Training (ii)" ..... 69
2 Permission for Extension of Period of Stay ..... 71
3 Permission for Permanent Residence ..... 71
4 Permission for Acquisition of a Status of Residence ..... 71
5 Re-entry Permission ..... 71
6 Permission to Engage in an Activity Other Than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted ..... 71
Section 3. Number of Issuances of Residence Cards and Special Permanent Resident Certificates ..... 72
① Number of Issuances of Residence Cards 72
② Number of Issuances of Special Permanent Resident Certificates 72
Article: At the front line of immigration control administration (voice of an immigration inspector in charge of residence examinations) 73
Chapter 3. Implementation of the Technical Intern Training Programs 74
Section 1. Outline of the System 74
Section 2. Responses to Cases of Inappropriate Acceptance 75
Section 3. Revision of the System of Technical Intern Training 77
Chapter 4. Japanese Nationals Departing from and Returning to Japan 78
Section 1. The Number of Japanese Nationals Departing from Japan 78
① The Total Number of Japanese Nationals Departing from Japan 78
② The Number of Japanese Nationals Departing from Japan by Gender and Age 78
③ The Number of Japanese Nationals Departing from Japan by Airport and Seaport 79
Section 2. The Number of Japanese Nationals Returning to Japan 80
Chapter 5. Deportation Procedures for Foreign Nationals 81
Section 1. Foreign Nationals Overstaying Their Authorized Period of Stay 81
① The Number of Foreign Nationals Overstaying Their Authorized Period of Stay by Nationality/Region 81
② The Number of Foreign Nationals Overstaying Their Authorized Period of Stay by Status of Residence 83
Section 2. Cases of Violation of the Immigration Control Act Necessitating the Implementation of Deportation Procedures 84
① Outline 84
② The Number of Cases of Violation of the Immigration Control Act by Grounds for Deportation 85
(1) Illegal Entry 85
(2) Illegal Landing 87
(3) Overstay 87
(4) Activity Other Than Those Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously Granted 88
Article: Reaction to activists claiming the sovereignty over the Senkaku Islands 88
③ Illegal Foreign Workers 89
(1) Summary 89
(2) The Number of Illegal Foreign Workers by Nationality/Region 89
(3) The Number of Illegal Foreign Workers by Gender 91
(4) The Number of Illegal Foreign Workers by Type of Work 91
(5) The Number of Illegal Foreign Workers by Place of Work 92
Article: At the front line of immigration control administration (voice of an immigration control officer in charge of the detection of offenders) 93
4 Outline of Decisions on Violations 94
(1) Receipt and the Processing of Cases of Violation 94
(2) Issuance of a Written Deportation Order 95
(3) Provisional Release 96
(4) Special Permission to Stay in Japan 97
5 Outline of Deportation of Foreign Nationals 97
(1) Deportation at the Expense of the Foreign National (Voluntary Departure) 99
(2) Deportation at the Expense of the Government of Japan 99
(3) Deportation at the Expense of and on the Responsibility of Carriers 99
Article: At the front line of immigration control administration (voice of an immigration control officer in charge of deportation) 100
⑥ Departure Orders 101
(1) Investigation into Violations 101
A. The Number of Foreign Nationals Ordered to Depart by Nationality/Region 101
B. The Number of Foreign Nationals Ordered to Depart by Applied Article 101
(2) Examination 101
A. Receipt and Processing of Cases 101
B. Issuance of a Written Departure Order 102
(3) Confirmation of Departure 102

Chapter 6. Recognition of Refugee Status

Section 1. Applications and Processing for Recognition of Refugee Status 103

① Application for Refugee Status 103

② Processing of Applications for Refugee Status 104

③ Implementation of the System for Permission for Provisional Stay 104

Section 2. Filing of an Objection 105

① Filing of an Objection 105

② Processing of the Objection 105

Section 3. Purpose of the Refugee Examination Counselors System and Its Implementation 105

Section 4. Landing Permission for Temporary Refuge 106

Article: At the front line of immigration control administration (voice of a refugee inquirer) 107

Chapter 7. Promotion of Measures against Trafficking in Persons and Proper Protection of Foreign Victims of Domestic Violence 108

Section 1. Promotion of Measures against Trafficking in Persons 108

① Protection of Victims of Trafficking in Persons 108

② Foreign Nationals Deported for Committing Trafficking in Persons 109

Section 2. Proper Protection of Foreign Domestic Violence Victims 109

① Outline 109

② Number of Recognized Foreign Domestic Violence Victims 110
Part III. Major Policies Related to Immigration Control Administration in FY 2013
Chapter 1. Outline of the Amendment of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
① Promotion of the Acceptance of Foreign Professionals with Highly-Specialized Skills 114
② Facilitation of the Entry Procedures Relating to Foreign Passengers on Cruise Ships 115
(1) Establishment of a New Special Landing Permission (Landing Permission for Cruise Ship Tourists) 115
(2) Expansion of the Scope of Foreign Nationals Eligible for Special Re-entry Permission 115
③ Facilitation of the Immigration Procedures Relating to Certain Temporary Visitors 116
④ Others 116
(1) Development of a Status of a Residence 116
A. Amendment Relating to the Status of Residence of “Investor/Business Manager” 116
B. Consolidation of the Status of Residence of “Engineer” and “Specialist in Humanities/ International Services” 116
C. Amendment Relating to the Status of Residence of “Student” 117
(2) Amendment Enabling the Acquisition of Passenger Name Records (PNR) 117
(3) Development of Provisions Relating to the Investigative Authority of the Immigration Officers 117
A. Establishment of a Provision on Investigations Pertaining to Re-entry Permission 117
B. Establishment of a provision on inquiries relating to the execution of written deportation orders 117
Chapter 2. Smooth and Strict Implementation of Immigration Examination at the Port of Entry
Section 1. Efforts to Promote a Tourism-Oriented Country
① Efforts to Reduce the Waiting Time for Examination 118
② Automated Gates 118
③ Response to Cruise Ship Passengers 119
④ Infrastructure Improvement for Terminals Exclusively Used for LCCs 120
⑤ Responses to the Action Program towards the Realization of Japan as a Tourism-Oriented Country 120
Section 2. Strengthened Countermeasures at the Port of Entry 120

① Implementation of Immigration Examinations through the Use of Biometric Information 120

② Use of ICPO’s Database on Lost and Stolen Passports 121

③ Immigration Examination through the Use of APIS 121

Article: Activities of Mobile Teams 122

Article: Patrol Activities in Transit Areas 122

Article: At the front line of immigration control administration (voice of an officer in charge of fingerprint identification) 123

Chapter 3. Review of Points-Based Preferential Immigration Treatment for Highly-Skilled Foreign Professionals 124

Section 1. Outline of the System 124

Section 2. Background and Developments of Revision of the Criteria for Recognition 125

Section 3. Outline of the Revisions 126

Section 4. Publicity Measures 126

Section 5. Establishment of a New Status of Residence 127

Chapter 4. Measures against Illegal or Imposter Foreign Residents in Japan 128

Section 1. Implementation of Measures against Illegal Foreign Residents 128

① Past Efforts to Reduce the Number of Illegal Foreign Residents 128

② Efforts to Further Reduce the Number of Illegal Foreign Residents 128

(1) Strengthened Detection 128

(2) Preparation of an Environment Facilitating Voluntary Appearance 129

Section 2. Implementation of Measures against Imposter Foreign Residents 129

① Countermeasures against Imposter Foreign Residents, etc. 129

② Crackdowns on Imposter Foreign Residents, etc. 130

(1) Reinforcement of the Collection and Analysis of Information 130

(2) Strengthened Detection of Foreign Nationals Engaged in Unauthorized Activities/Strict Handling of Foreign Nationals Falling under the Grounds for Revocation of the Status of Residence 130