Alien Registration Act (Act No.125 of 1952)

Article 1(Purpose)
The purpose of this Act is to establish fair control over aliens residing in Japan by clarifying matters pertaining to their residence and status and through the enforcement of the registration of such aliens.

Article 2(Definition)
(1) The term "alien" as used in this Act shall mean a person who does not have　Japanese nationality, other than a person who has been granted permission for provisional landing, permission for landing at a port of call, permission for landing in transit, landing permission for crew members, permission for emergency landing or landing permission due to distress as provided for in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951; hereinafter referred to as the "Immigration Control Act").
(2) A person who has two or more nationalities other than Japanese nationality shall be deemed, for the purpose of this Act, as having the nationality of the country to which the last issuing authority of his/her passport (meaning the passport provided for in Article 2, item (v) of the Immigration Control Act; hereinafter the same) belongs.

Article 3(Initial Registration)
(1) All aliens in Japan shall apply for registration with the mayor or head of the city, town or village (in the case of Tokyo, which is divided into special wards or in the case of the cities designated in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947), ward; hereinafter the same) in which his/her residence is located, submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items, within 90 days of the day of landing in cases where the alien has entered Japan (except for cases where an alien who departed from Japan with re-entry permission under Article 26 of the Immigration Control Act re-enters Japan and cases where an alien who departed from Japan with refugee travel documentation under Article 61-2-12 of the Immigration Control Act enters Japan possessing the subject refugee travel document) or within 60 days of the day of his/her becoming an alien or the day of his/her birth or the occurrence of other relevant causes in cases where he/she becomes an alien while in Japan or when he/she comes to stay in Japan without following the procedure for landing provided for in Chapter III of the Immigration Control Act due to birth or other causes:
(i) One application for alien registration;
(ii) Passport
(iii) Two photographs of the applicant
(2) In the case of the application under the preceding paragraph, a person under the age of sixteen years shall not be required to submit photographs.
(3) If the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village finds unavoidable circumstances exist in the case of the application provided for in paragraph (1), he/she may extend the time period prescribed in the same paragraph for a period not exceeding 60 days.
(4) Where an alien has filed the application provided for in paragraph (1), he/she can not make the application provided for under the same paragraph again.

Article 4
(1) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where an application has been made under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, register, on the alien registration card (hereinafter referred to as a "registration card"), the following items, of which items (ix) and (xx) are to be registered only for an alien other than a permanent resident specified in the left-hand column of Table 2 of the Immigration Control Act (hereinafter referred to as a "permanent resident") or a special permanent resident as provided for in the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alios, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality on the Basis of the Treaty of Peace with Japan (Act No.71 of 1991, hereinafter referred to as the "Special Act on Immigration Control") (hereinafter referred to as a "special permanent resident"), while items (xviii) and (xx) are to be registered only for an alien other than one whose period of stay has been prescribed to be less than one year under the provisions of the Immigration Control Act and who is currently within such period (excluding an alien who, as a result of an extension of the period of stay or a change in the status of residence, has been granted permission to stay in Japan for one year or more, calculated from the commencement of his/her initial period of stay) (hereinafter referred to as a "resident of less than one year"), and the application shall be kept at the offices of the relevant city, town or village.
(i) Number of the registration;
(ii) Date of the registration;
(iii) Name in full;
(iv) Date of birth;
(v) Sex;
(vi) Nationality;
(vii) Domicile or residence in the country of his/her nationality;
(viii) Place of birth
(ix) Occupation;
(x) Passport number
(xi) Date of issuance of the passport;
(xii) Date of landing permission;
(xiii) Status of residence (meaning the status of residence provided for by the Immigration Control Act or the status of "special permanent resident" which allows residence)
(xiv) Period of stay (meaning the period of stay provided for by the Immigration Control Act);
(xv) Address in Japan;
(xvi) Name of the householder;
(xvii) Relationship to the householder;
(xviii) Name, date of birth, nationality and relationship to the householder of the household members (except the householder concerned) in cases where the alien concerned is the householder;
(xix) Name, date of birth and nationality of the father, mother and spouse if they are in Japan (except the father, mother and spouse who are members of the household in cases where the alien concerned is the householder);
(xx) Name and location of the place where the alien is employed or his/her office.
(2) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where he/she has carried out the registration provided in the preceding paragraph, prepare a copy of the registration card concerned and send it to the Minister of Justice.

Article 4-2(Handling of the Registration Card)
While the registration cards are in the safekeeping of the office of the city, town or village, the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall take necessary measures for equitable control of the registration cards to prevent the leak, loss or damage of registration data.

Article 4-3(Disclosure, etc. of Registration Card)
(1) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall not make the registration cards public, except in cases where an application has been made under the following paragraph (2) to 5 or any other laws.
(2) The alien may apply to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village for a copy of the registration card or a certificate containing the facts of the registered matters on the registration card of the alien concerned, hereinafter referred to as "certificate of registered matters." 
(3) A representative of the alien or a member of the family with the same residence (including such person living together as a spouse without actually being bound by a marriage certificate) may apply to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village for a copy of the registration card or a certificate of registered matters.
(4) When necessary to utilize the facts recorded on a registration card for a procedure prescribed by law or in order to perform their duties, a national public organization or a local public organization can apply to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village for a copy of the registration card or a certificate of registered matters.
(5) When necessary to utilize the facts recorded on a registration card for a procedure prescribed by law or in order to perform their duties, attorneys or other persons prescribed in a Cabinet Order may apply to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village for the issuance of a certificate of registered　matters; provided, however, that disclosure of registered matters other than those provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (iii) to (vii) and (xv) to (xvii) shall be limited to　cases where there is a special need.
(6) The application provided in the preceding three paragraphs must contain the reason for the application and make other facts clear as provided for in the Ministry of Justice Ordinance.

Article 5(Issuance of a Registration Certificate)
(1) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, when he/she has carried out the registration provided in paragraph (1) of Article 4, prepare an alien registration certificate (hereinafter referred to as "registration certificate") containing a statement of the matters specified in the items of the said paragraph (except items (xviii) and (xix)) with respect to the alien concerned and issue the same to him/her.
(2) When the registration certificate cannot be issued on the spot in the case of the preceding paragraph because of an investigation concerning the application provided in Article 3, paragraph (1) or any other unavoidable administrative reasons, the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village may designate a period for its issuance in writing and issue the certificate within such period in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Justice Ordinance.

Article 6(Issuance of an Exchange Registration Certificate)
(1) The alien may, in cases where his/her registration certificate has been noticeably damaged or soiled, apply for the issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for that certificate, submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items accompanied by such registration certificate to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village where he/she resides:
(i) One application for issuance of a registration certificate;
(ii) Passport;
(iii) Two photographs.
(2) In the case of the application under the preceding paragraph, a person under the age of sixteen years shall not be required to submit photographs.
(3) In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has received the application under paragraph (1), he/she shall confirm whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts.
(4) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where he/she has made the set forth in the preceding paragraph, issue a new registration certificate based on the registration card.
(5) The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis in the case of the preceding paragraph.
(6) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village may order an alien who carries a noticeably damaged or soiled registration certificate to return it and to make the application under paragraph (1).
(7) In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has received the application provided for in paragraph (1), he/she may make a new registration card by rewriting the registration card of the alien.

Article 6-2
(1) When the alien requests a registration of change in the previously registered matters under Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), or Article 9-3, paragraph (1), and there is no remaining space on the registration certificate possessed by the alien concerned to register the changes in accordance with Article 8, paragraph (3), Article 9, paragraph (3), Article 9-2, paragraph (2), or Article 9-3, paragraph (2), or when the registration of change concerns any item provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (iii) or (vi) he/she shall apply for issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for the previously issued one, submitting the following documents and photographs:
(i) One application for issuance of a registration certificate;
(ii) Passport;
(iii) Two photograph.
(2) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where the alien submits a registration certificate whose entries do not correspond to the facts because of the registration of change under Article 10, paragraph (1) and where there is no remaining space on the registration certificate concerned to register the changes in accordance with Article 10, paragraph (2), or in cases where he/she has corrected the entries in the registration card in accordance with Article 10-2, paragraph (1) and where there is no remaining space on the registration certificate possessed by the alien concerned to register the corrections in accordance with Article 10-2, paragraph (3), or where such correction concerns any item provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (iii),(iv),(v) or (vi) order the alien concerned to apply for issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for the previously issued one, submitting the documents and photographs provided in the preceding paragraph.
(3) In the case of the application provided in the preceding two paragraphs, a person under the age of sixteen years shall not be required to submit photographs.
(4) Where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has received the application under paragraph (1) or 2, he/she shall confirm whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts.
(5) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where he/she has made the confirmation set forth in the preceding paragraph, issue a new registration certificate based on the registration card.
(6) The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (2) and Article 6, paragraph (7) shall be applied mutatis mutandis to the application under paragraph (1) or (2).

Article 7(Reissuance of the Registration Certificate)
(1) In cases where the alien has lost his/her registration certificate due to loss, theft, robbery or destruction, he/she shall apply for reissuance of the registration certificate, submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items to the mayor or head of the city, town or village where he/she resides within 14 days of the day upon which he/she became aware of such fact. The same shall apply to cases where an alien who departed from Japan with the re-entry permission under Article 26 of the Immigration Control Act re-entered Japan or an alien who departed from Japan with the refugee travel document under Article 61-2-12 of the Immigration Control Act entered Japan with the refugee travel document concerned without possessing his/her registration certificate for reasons other than loss, theft, robbery or destruction:
(i) One application for issuance of a registration certificate;
(ii) Passport;
(iii) Two photographs;
(iv) Documents which the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village deems especially necessary in addition to those provided in the preceding items.
(2) In the case of the application under the preceding paragraph, a person under the age of sixteen years shall not be required to submit photographs.
(3) In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has received the application under paragraph (1), he/she shall confirm whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts.
(4) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where he/she has made the confirmation set forth in the preceding paragraph, issue a new registration certificate based on the registration card.
(5) The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis in the case of the preceding paragraph.
(6) In cases where a registration certificate is reissued pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4), the registration certificate which was issued to the alien concerned before the day of the issuance of the new registration certificate, shall lose its validity.
(7) In cases where the alien recovers the registration certificate which became invalid according to the provision of the preceding paragraph after the reissuance of a new registration certificate to him/her under paragraph (4), he/she shall promptly return the registration certificate which was recovered to the mayor or head of the town or village where he/she resides.
(8) The provisions of paragraph (7) of Article 6 shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 8(Registration of Change in the Place of Residence)
(1) In cases where the alien has changed his/her place of residence (except for cases where he/she has changed to a place of residence within the limits of the same city, town or village), he/she shall apply for registration of a change in the place of residence by submitting a written application for registration of the change to the mayor or head of the city, town or village in which his/her new residence is located within 14 days of the day of moving to the new place of residence.
(2) In cases where the alien has changed his/her place of residence within the limits of the same city, town or village, he/she shall apply for registration of a change in the place of residence by submitting a written application for registration of the change to the mayor or head of the city, town or village within 14 days of the day of moving to the new place of residence.
(3) When the alien files the application provided for in paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph, he/she shall submit the registration certificate which he/she possesses, unless he/she is obliged to apply for the issuance of an exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1). In this case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall enter an amendment of the place of residence in the registration certificate and return the same to the alien concerned.
(4) In cases where the mayor of the city or head of the town or village has received the application under paragraph (1), he/she shall make a request promptly to the mayor or head of the city, town or village in which the former place of residence of the alien is located for the registration card concerning the alien to be sent to him/her.
(5) In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has received the request provided for in the preceding paragraph, he/she shall promptly send the registration card of the alien concerned to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village who has made the request.
(6) In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has received the application under paragraph (2) or the registration card under the preceding paragraph, he/she shall carry out registration of the change in the place of residence in the registration card of the alien concerned.
(7) If the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village deems that there are unavoidable circumstances in the case of the application under paragraph (1) or 2, he/she may extend the time period prescribed in the said paragraphs for a period not exceeding 14 days.

Article 8-2(Change in the Place of Residence and Issuance of a Registration Certificate)
In cases where the alien, who has made the application under Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (1) ,Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), making the application under the preceding Article, paragraph (1) before receiving the registration certificate issued to him/her through his/her application, in addition to the provisions of the said Article, the provisions of the following items shall apply:
(i) The registration certificate shall be delivered through the mayor or head of the city, town or village where the new place of residence is located;
(ii) In cases where the mayor or head of the city, town or village where the new place of residence is located deems it necessary, he/she may change the period which was designated by the mayor or head of the city, town or village where the former place of residence was located under Article 5, paragraph (2) (including those cases where this provision is applied mutatis mutandis under Article 6, paragraph (5), Article 6-2, paragraph (6), Article 7, paragraph (5) Article 9-2, paragraph (6) and Article 11, paragraph (5)) in writing, in accordance with the Ministry of Justice Ordinance;
(iii) In cases where the mayor or head of the city, town or village where the former place of residence is located has received the request made under the provision of the preceding Article, paragraph (4), he/she shall promptly forward the registration certificate to be delivered to the alien concerned to the mayor or head of the city, town or village where the new place of residence is located.

Article 9(Registration of Change in Registered Matters Other than the Place of Residence)
(1) In cases where any change has taken place in the matters of item (iii), (vi), (ix),(xiii),(xiv) or (xx) of Article 4, paragraph (1) recorded on the registration card of an alien (except for the cases provided in the following Article, paragraph (1) and Article 9-3, paragraph (1)), the alien shall apply to the mayor or head of the city, town or village where the alien resides for registration of a change in such registered matters by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving such change within 14 days of the day of such change taking place.
(2) In cases where any change has taken place in the matters of items (vii), (x), (xi) or from (xvi) to (xix) of Article 4, paragraph (1) recorded on the registration card of an alien, the alien shall apply to the mayor or head of the city, town or village where he/she resides, for registration of a change in such registered matters by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving such change by the time of the next application concerned under the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), the preceding paragraph, the following Article, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), after such change has taken place.
(3) When the alien files the application provided for in paragraph (1) of the preceding paragraph (except in the cases of changes provided for in items (xviii) and (xix) of Article 4, paragraph (1)), he/she shall submit the registration certificate which he/she possesses, unless he/she is obliged to apply for the exchange of registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1). In this case, the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall enter the amendments of the application concerned on the registration certificate and return the same to the alien concerned.
(4) In the case of the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village receiving an application under paragraph (1) or (2), he/she shall register the amendments of that application concerned on the registration card of the alien concerned. In this case, if the application prescribed in paragraph (1) concerns a change in the status of residence as a permanent resident or special permanent resident as provided for in item (xiii) of Article 4, paragraph (1), the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall delete the matters stipulated in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph.
(5) The provisions of Article 8, paragraph (7) shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 9-2
(1) In the case of a change taking place as provided for in items (xiii) and (xiv) of Article 4, paragraph (1), if registered on the registration card as a permanent resident or a special permanent resident, the alien shall apply to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village where he/she resides for registration of the changes of items (xiii) and (xiv) of the same paragraph, and registration of those matters specified in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving the change, within 14 days of such change taking place.
(2) When the alien files the application provided for in the preceding paragraph, he/she shall submit the registration certificate which he/she possesses, unless he/she is obliged to apply for issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for the previously issued one in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1). In this case, the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall register the change in items (xiii) and (xiv) of Article 4, paragraph (1) and register those matters specified in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph on the registration certificate and return the same to the alien concerned.
(3) In the case of the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village receiving an application under paragraph (1), he/she shall carry out registration of the changes in items (xiii) and (xiv) of Article 4, paragraph (1) and registration of those matters specified in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph on the registration card of the alien concerned
(4) The provisions of paragraph (7) of Article 8 shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 9-3
(1) In the case of a resident of less than one year who has come to be permitted to reside in Japan for one year or more counting from commencement of the initial period of stay as a result of an extension of the period of stay or a change in the status of residence, the alien shall apply to the mayor or the head of the city, town or village where he/she resides for registration of the changes in item (xiii) or (xiv), Article 4, paragraph (1), and registration of those matters specified in items (xviii) and (xix) of the same paragraph by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving the change, within 14 days of the day of the change in the status of residence or the extension of the period of stay taking place.
(2) When the alien files the application provided for in the preceding paragraph, he/she shall submit the registration certificate which he/she possesses, unless he/she is obliged to apply for the exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1). In this case, the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall enter the amendments of the application concerned in the registration certificate and return the same to the alien concerned.
(3) In the case of the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village receiving an application under paragraph (1), he/she shall register the changes in item (xiii) or (xiv) of Article 4, paragraph (1) and register those matters specified in items (xviii) and (xix) of the same paragraph on the registration card of the alien concerned. In the case of the application under paragraph (1) concerning the change of status of residence in item (xiii) of Article 4, paragraph (1), when registered as a permanent resident or a special permanent resident, the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall remove items (ix) and (xx) in the same paragraph.
(4) The provisions of paragraph (7) of Article 8 shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 10(Registration of Change Owing to Abolition, Creation, Division or Amalgamation of a City, Town, Village or Prefecture)
(1) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where the entries in the registration card no longer correspond to the actual facts as a result of the abolition, creation, division or amalgamation, alteration of the boundary or change of the name of the city, town, village or prefecture, register the change in the registration card.
(2) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where an alien with a place of residence within the area of such city, town or village submits a registration certificate which has entries of facts that do not correspond to the actual facts as a result of the causes provided for in the preceding paragraph, register the amendment in such registration certificate, unless he/she orders the alien to apply for the issuance of an exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (2).

Article 10-2(Correction in the Registration)
(1) Except in the cases provided for in Article 8, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 9, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1) and the preceding Article paragraph (1), the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, when he/she has come to know that the entries in the registration card do not correspond to the actual facts, correct such entries.
(2) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village may, in cases where he/she has made the correction under the preceding paragraph, order the alien concerned to submit the registration certificate which he/she possesses, unless he/she orders the alien to apply for issuance of an exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (2).
(3) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village who has received the registration certificate submitted under the provision of the preceding paragraph shall enter the amendment in such registration certificate and return the same to the alien concerned.

Article 11(Issuance of a Registration Certificate for Renewal)
(1) The alien shall apply to the mayor or the head of the city, town or village where he/she resides, within 30 days of the fifth anniversary (in the case of the alien being a permanent resident or a special permanent resident on the day on which the initial or other registration was made, it shall be the seventh anniversary) of the alien's birthday (where his/her birthday falls on February 29, it shall be deemed as February 28) commencing from the year in which the registration under Article 4, paragraph (1) (in cases where the confirmation was made under Article 6, paragraph (3), Article 6-2, paragraph (4), or Article 7, paragraph (3), based on the application under this paragraph or the next paragraph, (in paragraph (3), this confirmation is referred to as "the latest confirmation") is to mean the day on which the latest confirmation was made. In this paragraph, this day is referred to as "the day on which the initial or other registration was made), by submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items, for confirmation of whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts. However, this shall not apply to any alien who was less than sixteen years of age on the day when the application under Article 3, paragraph (1) was made (in cases where the alien ever made an application under Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), or Article 7, paragraph (1), on the day on which such application was made):
(i) One application for confirmation of the registered matters;
(ii) Passport;
(iii) Two photographs.
(2) The alien who is stipulated in the proviso of the preceding paragraph shall apply for the confirmation under the preceding paragraph within 30 days of the day of becoming sixteen years of age.
(3) Despite the provision of paragraph (1), with respect to any alien whose status falls under one of the following items at the time of registration (in cases where the confirmation has been made, this means the latest confirmation) provided in paragraph (1), the period for the application for confirmation under paragraph (1) shall be within 30 days from the date designated by the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village (between 1 year and 5 years), in accordance with the Ministry of Justice Ordinance:
(i) Those whose status of residence has not been confirmed;
(ii) Those whose signature according to the provision under Article 14 has not been attached.
(4) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in cases where he/she has made the confirmation based on the application under paragraph (1) or (2), issue a new registration certificate according to the registration card.
(5) The provision of Article 5, paragraph (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis in the case of the preceding paragraph.
(6) When the alien receives the registration certificate under the provision of paragraph (4), he/she shall return the registration certificate that he/she possesses to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village. However in cases where the alien concerned receives the registration certificate delivered through his/her representative in accordance with Article 15, paragraph (3), he/she may return the old registration certificate within 14 days of receiving the new certificate.
(7) In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has issued the registration certificate under the provision of paragraph (4), he/she may not issue a registration certificate under the provision of Article 6, paragraph (4), Article 6-2, paragraph (5) or Article 7, paragraph (4), in exchange or for the purpose of reissuance of the registration certificate issued to the alien concerned prior to the above issuance.
(8) In cases where the registration certificate is issued under paragraph (4), the registration certificate which has been issued to the alien concerned before the day of the issuance of the new registration certificate shall lose its validity.
(9) In cases where the alien recovers the registration certificate which became invalid under the preceding paragraph after receiving the registration certificate issued to him/her under paragraph (4), he/she shall promptly return the registration certificate which was recovered to the mayor or the head of the city, town or village where he/she resides.
(10) The provision of Article 6, paragraph (7) shall apply mutatis mutandis in cases where the application has been made under paragraph (1) or (2).

Article 12(Return of the Registration Certificate)
(1) In cases where the alien leaves Japan (except when he/she leaves Japan with the re-entry permission provided for in Article 26 of the Immigration Control Act, or he/she leaves Japan with the refugee travel document under Article 61-2-12 of the Immigration Control Act), he/she shall return his/her registration certificate to the immigration inspector (meaning the immigration inspector provided for in the Immigration Control Act; hereinafter the same) at the port of entry or departure (meaning the port of entry or departure provided for in the Immigration Control Act) from which he/she departs from Japan.
(2) In cases where the alien has ceased to be an alien, he/she shall return his/her registration certificate to the mayor or head of the city, town or village where he/she resides within 14 days of the day on which he/she ceased to be an alien.
(3) In cases where the alien has died, one of the persons specified in the items of Article 15, paragraph (2) (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years) shall, in the order specified, return the deceased alien's registration certificate to the mayor or head of the city, town or village in which he/she used to reside within 14 days of his/her death. However, in cases where the place of residence of the alien differs from the place of his/her death, the registration certificate may be returned to the mayor or the head of the city, town or village of the place of his/her death.

Article 13(Receipt, Carrying and Presentation of the Registration Certificate)
(1) The alien shall receive the registration certificate issued or returned to him/her by the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village, and carry it with him/her at all times. However, any alien under the age of sixteen years shall not be required to carry his/her registration certificate with him/her.
(2) The alien shall present his/her registration certificate to the immigration inspector, immigration control officer (meaning the immigration control officer provided for in the Immigration Control Act), police official, maritime safety official or any other official of a state or local public entity prescribed by the Ministry of Justice Ordinance, if such official requests the presentation of the registration certificate in the performance of his/her duties.
(3) In cases where the official provided in the preceding paragraph requests the presentation of the registration certificate in a place other than his/her office, he/she shall carry with him/her an identification card showing his/her official status and present it upon request.

Article 14(Signature)
(1) In cases where an alien, who is sixteen years of age or over (excluding a resident of less than one year), makes the application under Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 9-2, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), he/she shall affix hi/her signature to the registration card and signature card at the time of submitting the application form under those provisions. However, this provision shall not apply in cases where the application has been made by a representative in accordance with Article 15, paragraph (2), or if the alien cannot affix his/her signature at the time of submitting the application form under those provisions.
(2) In the case of a resident of less than one year, who is sixteen years of age or above, making an application under Article 9-3, paragraph (1), he/she shall affix his/her signature to the registration card at the time of submitting the application form under that provision. However, this provision shall not apply in cases where the application has been made by a representative in accordance with Article 15, paragraph (2), or if the alien cannot affix his/her signature at the time of submitting the application form under that provision.
(3) The method of affixing one's signature and other necessary matters concerning the signature in the preceding two paragraphs shall be prescribed by a Cabinet order.
(4) The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall transfer and reprint the signature affixed to the registration card or signature card at the time of the application for issuance of the registration certificate in accordance with paragraph (1) to the registration certificate to be delivered pursuant to the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (4), Article 6-2, paragraph (5), Article 7, paragraph (4) or Article 11, paragraph (4).

Article 15(Appearing person, Application by representative)
(1) The application, receipt or submission of the registration certificate and signature, which are provided for in this Act, shall be performed by the alien by appearing in person in the municipal office of the city, town or village concerned.
(2) In cases where the alien is under the age of sixteen years or in cases where he/she is unable to make an application or perform the receipt or submission of the registration certificate in person by reason of illness or other physical impediments, the person specified in the following items and living with such alien (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years) in the order specified in the following items, shall make the application or perform the receipt or submission of the registration certificate provided for in the preceding paragraph on behalf of such person. In cases where the alien or the person who used to be an alien is under the age of sixteen years, the same shall apply to the return of the registration certificate under Article 7, paragraph (7) or Article 12, paragraph (1) or (2):
(i) Spouse;
(ii) Child;
(iii) Father or mother;
(iv) Relative other than those specified in the preceding items;
(v) Any other person living with the alien concerned.
(3) The application in accordance with the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2) or Article 9-2, paragraph (1) and receipt of the registration certificate under Article 5, paragraph (2) (including cases in which the said provision is applied mutatis mutandis in accordance with Article 6, paragraph (5), Article 6-2, paragraph (6), Article 7, paragraph (5) and Article 11, paragraph (5)), which has been delivered during the period designated by the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village, notwithstanding paragraph (1) and the first part of the preceding paragraph, may be undertaken by a cohabiting relative (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years) of the alien concerned on behalf of such person or any cohabitant who comes under any of items (i) through (iii) in the preceding paragraph (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years).

Article 15-2(Investigation into Facts)
(1) In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has received the application under Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2) Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), and he/she has sufficient reason to suspect that the matters contained in the application are contrary to the facts, he/she shall commission an officer to investigate the facts in order to implement accurate enforcement of the registration of the alien. In this case he/she may summon the alien who has made the application concerned if he/she deems it necessary.
(2) The officer of the city, town or village may question the alien who has made the application concerned or any other persons concerned or request him/her to present documents, if it is deemed necessary for the investigation provided for in the preceding paragraph.
(3) In cases where the officer of the city, town or village performs the acts provided in the preceding paragraph out of the office of the city, town or village, he/she shall carry with him/her an identification card showing his/her official status and present the same upon the request of the alien who has made the application concerned or other persons concerned.

Article 15-3(Exemption from Application of the Administrative Procedure Act)
Chapters II and III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) do not apply to the administrative measures under this Act.

Article 16(Report of Registration of Changes)
In cases where the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has carried out the registration of changes under the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (6), Article 9, paragraph (4), Article 9-2, paragraph (3), Article 9-3, paragraph (3) or Article 10, paragraph (1), he/she shall notify the Ministry of Justice to such effect.

Article 16-2(Classification of Administration Work)
The administration work which the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village performs in accordance with the provisions of this Act shall be classified as Type 1 of the statutory entrusted functions provided in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the Local Autonomy Act.

Article 17(Delegation of Cabinet Order)
Excluding the cases as otherwise provided in this Act, the procedures for the enforcement of this Act and other necessary detailed regulations for execution shall be prescribed by the Ministry of Justice Ordinance (by a Cabinet order with respect to the work which should be carried out by the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village).

Article 18(Penal Provisions)
(1) Any person who comes under any one of the following items shall be punished by imprisonment with or without work for a period not exceeding 1 year or be punished with a fine not exceeding 200,000 yen:
(i) Any person who, in violation of the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 7, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), fails to make the application in accordance with such provisions and stays in Japan over the period prescribed in the said paragraphs;
(i)-2 Any person who fails to apply in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1);
(ii) Any person who makes a false application with respect to the application provided for in Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2) (including the application in the case provided for in Article 15, paragraph (2) or (3));
(iii) Any person who obstructs the application provided for in Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article9-3, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2) (including the application in the case provided for in Article 15, paragraph (2) or (3));
(iv) Any person who violates the provision of Article 3, paragraph (4);
(v) Any person who fails to obey the order provided for in Article 6, paragraph (6), Article 6-2, paragraph (2) or Article 10-2, paragraph (2) or obstructs the application or the presentation of the registration certificate to be made in accordance with the order provided for in the said paragraphs (including the application and presentation in the case provided for in Article 15, paragraph (2));
(vi) Any person who, in violation of the provision of Article 13, paragraph (1), fails to receive the registration certificate or obstructs the receipt of the registration certificate issued or returned by the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village (including the receipt in the case provided for in Article 15, paragraph (2) and (3));
(vii) Any person who, in violation the provision of Article 13, paragraph (2), refuses to present the registration certificate;
(viii) Any person who, in violation of the provision of Article 14-2, fails to affix his/her signature or prevents someone from affixing his/her signature;
(ix) Any person who has used a registration certificate bearing the name of another person;
(x) Any person who transfers or lends his/her registration certificate for the use of any other person or has a registration certificate under the name of any other person transferred or lent to him/her for his/her own use.
(2) Any person who commits any of the crimes proscribed set forth in the preceding paragraph may be punished with imprisonment with or without work and a fine.

Article 18-2
Any person who comes under any one of the following items shall be punished by a fine not exceeding 200,000 yen:
(i) Any person who violates the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (7), Article 11, paragraph (6) or 9 or Article 12, paragraph (1) or (2);
(ii) Any person who, in violation of the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2) or Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1) or Article 9-3, paragraph (1) fails to make an application in accordance with such provisions and stays in Japan over the period provided in those paragraphs;
(iii) Any person who makes a false application with respect to the application provided for in Article 9, paragraph (2) (including the application in the case provided for in Article 15, paragraph (2) or (3));
(iv) Any person, excluding a special permanent resident, who, in violation of the provision of Article 13, paragraph (1), fails to carry with him/her the registration certificate.

Article 19
Any special permanent resident who, in violation of the provision of Article 13, paragraph (1), fails to carry with him/her the registration certificate, shall be punished by a non-penal fine or less 100,000 yen.

Article 19-2
If, in the cases provided for in Article 15, paragraph (2), any one of the persons specified in the items of the said paragraph, in violation of the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), fails to make the application provided for in such provisions, fails to follow the order under the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (6), Article 6-2, paragraph (2) or Article 10-2, paragraph (2), fails to receive the registration certificate in violation of the provision of Article 13, paragraph (1) or fails to return the registration certificate in violation of the provision of Article 7, paragraph (7) or Article 12, paragraph (1) or (2), such person shall be punished by a non-penal fine or less 50,000 yen. The same shall apply to a person who fails to return the registration certificate in violation of the provision of the main text of Article 12, paragraph (3).

Article 19-3
Any alien who procures a copy of a registration card or a certificate of registered matters, violating the provisions of Article 4-3, paragraph (2) to (5) through fraud or in any other unlawful manner shall be punished by a non-penal fine or less 50,000 yen.

Article 20(Judicial Decision with Jurisdiction over Judicial Decisions on Non-Penal Fines)
The judicial decision for the imposition of the non-penal fines prescribed in the preceding paragraphs shall be rendered by the summary courts.