### Chapter 1. Formulation of the Basic Plan for Immigration Control (5th Edition)

Towards the realization of proper and smooth immigration control administration, the Minister of Justice shall formulate the Basic Plan for Immigration Control, which aims to clarify the situation of foreign nationals who enter and reside in Japan, and to stipulate the guidelines for management of entry and residence of foreign nationals and other necessary matters concerning related measures.

The Basic Plan for Immigration Control (5th Edition) was formulated on September 15, 2015. Its aim is to present fundamental concepts for immigration control administration measures both at home and abroad and provide proper responses. This said measures include smooth acceptance of foreign nationals vitalizing the Japanese economy and society, activation of a national debate on the acceptance of foreign nationals in light of the aging population and the declining birthrate, efforts towards the establishment of a new system of technical intern training, contributing to the realization of symbiotic society co-existing with foreign nationals through proper operation of the residence management system, efforts towards the realization of a tourism-oriented country, promotion of border measures towards the realization of a safe and secure society and countermeasures against illegal residents, and promotion of prompt and appropriate asylum for refugees. In order to develop the plan, the Immigration Bureau held discussions with the relevant administrative organs, referring to the report of the 6th Immigration Policy Discussion Panel, a private consultative group for the Minister of Justice and the opinions submitted through the Public Comment, etc.

The Basic Plan for Immigration Control was first formulated in 1992, and subsequently the second edition, the third edition and the fourth edition were formulated in 2000, 2005 and 2010, respectively.

## Section 1 ☐ Considerations Regarding Formulation of the Basic Plan for Immigration Control (5th Edition)

## 1 Immigration Policy Discussion Panel

## (1) Outline of the Immigration Policy Discussion Panel

The Immigration Policy Discussion Panel, convened several times since November 1990, is a forum allowing the Minister of Justice to hear the views of experts from various circles on the topic of immigration control administration, including the formulation of policies on immigration control. The Minister of Justice formulates the “Basic Plan for Immigration Control”, which serves as the basis for guidelines on the control of the entry and residence of foreign nationals, referring to the discussions of this Immigration Policy Discussion Panel.

The first meeting of the 6th Immigration Policy Discussion Panel was convened on March 7, 2013, with the aim of hearing the views of experts from a broad perspective on the various issues in the Basic Plan for Immigration Control (4th Edition) which were listed as requiring future consideration.

Subsequently, the discussion panel held discussions that extended over 17 meetings on such topics as the acceptance of foreign nationals who vitalize the Japanese economy and society, the acceptance of foreign nationals in a society with a declining population, the promotion of the acceptance of foreign students, revision of the system of technical intern training, measures aimed at the realization of a symbiotic society co-existing with foreign nationals, measures for the realization of a tourism-oriented country, measures to reduce the number of illegal residents, and the system of refugee recognition, and