cupational activity utilizing their professional ability, skills or knowledge to enter and stay in Japan, but does not to permit other foreign workers (foreign nationals working in so-called unskilled labor markets) to enter and stay in Japan, the statuses of residence which belong to the abovementioned category "A" are divided into the two subcategories of statuses of residence for which work is permitted (activities to operate income-earning businesses or activities to receive payment), and statuses of residence for which work is not permitted. Although the original purpose of the statuses of residence which belong to the abovementioned category "B" is not work, it is possible to engage in a work activity because there are no restrictions imposed on work activities.

Furthermore, if an activity among the statuses of residence is likely to impact Japanese industries or people’s lives, the foreign national will not be permitted to enter Japan unless such foreign national meets the criteria for the landing permission stipulated by the Ministerial Ordinance on Criteria.

Table 1 List of Statuses of Residence

Appended Table I

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Status of Residence	Activities authorized to engage in	Examples	Period of Stay
Diplomat	Activities on the part of constituent members of diplomatic missions or consular offices of foreign governments hosted by the Japanese Government; activities on the part of those who are provided with similar privileges and/or immunities as are granted to diplomatic missions pursuant to treaties or international customary practices; and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household.	A ambassador, minister, consulate general, or delegation member of a foreign government and their families	Period during which diplomatic activities are performed
Official	Activities on the part of those who engage in the official business of foreign governments or international organizations recognized by the Japanese Government; and activities on the part of their family members belonging to the same household (except for the activities listed in this Table's "Diplomat" column).	Employee of an embassy or consulate of a foreign government, individual assigned by an international institution for an official assignment, and their families	5 years, 3 years, 1 year, 3 months, 30 days or 15 days
Professor	Activities for research, guidance of research or education at a university, equivalent educational institutions or colleges of technology ("Kotosenmongakko").	College professor	5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months
Artist	Activities for the arts that provide income, including music, the fine arts, literature, etc. (except for the activities listed in the "Entertainer" column of this Table).	Composer, artist, or writer	5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months
Religious Activities	Missionary and other religious activities conducted by foreign religious workers dispatched by foreign religious organizations.	Missionary or assigned by a foreign religious organization	5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months
Journalist	News coverage and other journalistic activities conducted based on a contract with foreign journalistic organizations.	Reporter or photographer of foreign press	5 years, 3 years, 1 year or 3 months