Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951)

　　　CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1(Purpose)
The purpose of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act is to provide for equitable control over the entry into or departure from Japan of all persons and to consolidate the procedures for recognition of refugee status.

Article 2(Definition)
The terms in the following items as used in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and the orders pursuant to the Act shall have such meanings as defined in each item respectively.
(i) Deleted.
(ii) The term "alien" means a person who does not have Japanese nationality.
(iii) The term "crew member" means a crew member of a vessel or aircraft.
(iii-2) The term "refugee" means a refugee who falls under the provisions of Article 1 of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (hereinafter referred to as the "Refugee Convention") or the provisions of Article 1 of the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees.
(iv) The term "Japanese consular officer" means a Japanese ambassador, minister or consular officer who is stationed in a foreign country.
(v) The term "passport" means any of the following documents:
　(a) A passport, a refugee travel document or any other certificate in lieu of the passport (including a travel certificate issued by a Japanese consular officer) issued by the Japanese Government, a foreign government recognized by the Japanese Government or any authorized international organization.
　(b) A document, which is equivalent to the documents listed in (a), issued by any authorized organization of the region as provided for by a Cabinet Order.
(vi) The term "crew member's pocket-ledger" means a mariner's pocket-ledger or any other equivalent document issued to a crew member by an authorized organization.
(vii) The term "trafficking in persons" means any of the following acts:
　(a) The kidnapping or the buying or selling of persons for the purpose of profit, indecency or threat to a person's life or body, or delivering, receiving, transporting or hiding such persons who have been kidnapped or bought or sold;
　(b) In addition to the acts listed in sub-item (a), placing persons under 18 years of age under one's own control for the purpose of profit, indecency or threat to a person's life or body;
　(c) In addition to the acts listed in sub-item (a), delivering persons under 18 years of age, knowing that they will be or are likely to be placed under the control of a person who has the purpose of profit, indecency or threat to a person's life or body.
(viii) The term "port of entry or departure" means a seaport or airport at which an alien enters or departs from Japan, as provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(ix) The term "carrier" means an operator who is engaged in the business of transporting persons or goods by means of a vessel or aircraft between Japan and areas outside of Japan.
(x) The term "immigration inspector" means the immigration inspector provided for in Article 61-3.
(xi) The term "supervising immigration inspector" means an immigration inspector of supervisory rank designated by the Minister of Justice.
(xii) The term "special inquiry officer" means an immigration inspector designated by the Minister of Justice and authorized to hold hearings.
(xii-2) The term "refugee inquirer" means an immigration inspector designated by the Minister of Justice to execute the duties prescribed in Article 61-3, paragraph (2), item (ii) (limited to the parts pertaining to Article 22-4, paragraph (2), as applied mutatis mutandis to Article 61-2-8, paragraph (2)) and in item (vi) (limited to the parts pertaining to Article 61-2-14, paragraph (1)).
(xiii) The term "immigration control officer" means the immigration control officer provided for in Article 61-3-2.
(xiv) The term "investigation into violations" means an investigation conducted by an immigration control officer into cases of violation of laws or regulations on entry, landing or residence of an alien.
(xv) The term "immigration detention center" means the immigration detention center provided for in Article 13 of the Act for Establishment of the Ministry of Justice (Act No.93 of 1999).
(xvi) The term "detention house" means the detention facility provided for in Article 61-6.

Article 2-2(Status of Residence and Period of Stay)
(1) An alien may reside in Japan only under a status of residence determined by the permission for landing, the permission for acquisition or the permission for any changes thereof, except as otherwise provided for by the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act or other laws.
(2) The categories of statuses of residence shall be as listed in Appended Tables I and II. An alien residing in Japan under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Table I may engage in the activities listed in the right-hand column corresponding to that status, while an alien residing under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Table II may engage in the activities of a person with the status or position listed in the right-hand column corresponding to that status.
(3) The period during which an alien may reside as set forth in paragraph (1) (hereinafter referred to as "period of stay") shall be determined for each status of residence by a Ministry of Justice ordinance; and when the status of residence is one other than that of diplomat, official or permanent resident, the period of stay shall not exceed 3 years (5 years in the case of the status of residence of "Designated Activities" (except for those related to d. in the right-hand column of (5) of Appended Table I).

　　　CHAPTER II ENTRY AND LANDING
　　　　　I ENTRY OF AN ALIEN

Article 3(Entry of an Alien)
(1) Any alien who falls under any of the following items shall not enter Japan.
(i) A person who does not possess a valid passport (except for a crew member possessing a valid crew member's pocket-ledger).
(ii) A person who intends to land in Japan without receiving a seal of verification for landing or undergoing the recording of the prescribed data pursuant to the provision of Article 9, paragraph (4), or without obtaining authorized permission for landing (hereinafter referred to as "permission for landing") from an immigration inspector (except for those set forth in the preceding item).
(2) An alien who seeks to become a crew member in Japan shall be deemed to be a crew member with regard to the application of the provisions of the preceding paragraph.

　　　　SECTION II LANDING OF AN ALIEN

Article 4 Deleted

Article 5(Denial of Landing)
(1) Any alien who falls under any of the following items shall be denied permission for landing in Japan.
(i) A person who falls under any of the following categories of infections, which are provided for by the Act on Prevention of Infections and Medical Care for Patients with Infections (Act No. 114, 1998): Category 1 or Category 2 infections or new or reemerging influenza infections or designated infections (limited to the infections to which the provisions of Article 19 or 20 of the same Act shall apply mutatis mutandis, pursuant to the provisions of a Cabinet Order pursuant to the provisions of Article 7 of the same Act) including a person who is regarded as a patient of Category 1 or Category 2 infections or new or reemerging influenza infections or designated infections pursuant to the provisions of Article 8 of the same Act(including cases where it is applied mutatis mutandis pursuant to Article 7 of the same Act), or any person who has symptoms of a new infection.
(ii) A person who, due to a mental disorder, is unable to understand right from wrong or whose capacity for such understanding is significantly lacking, and is not accompanied by those persons provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance to assist him or her in engaging in activities in Japan.
(iii) A person who is indigent or without a fixed dwelling place and is likely to become a burden on the Japanese Government or a local public entity because of an inability to make a living.
(iv) A person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan, or of any other country, and has been sentenced to imprisonment with or without work for 1 year or more, or to an equivalent penalty. However, this shall not apply to those convicted of a political offense.
(v) A person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or of any other country relating to the control of narcotics, marijuana, opium, stimulants or psychotropic substances, and has been sentenced to a penalty.
(v-2) A person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan or of any other country or has been deported from Japan pursuant to the provisions of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act or deported from any other country pursuant to the provisions of any law or regulation of that country for killing, injuring, assaulting or threatening a person, or damaging a building or other objects in relation to the process or results of an international competition or a competition of an equivalent scale or an international conference (hereinafter referred to as "international competition") or with the intent of preventing the smooth operation thereof, and is likely to kill, injure, assault or threaten a person, or damage a building or other objects in relation to the process or results of an international competition held in Japan or with the intent of preventing the smooth operation thereof, at the venue of the international competition or within the area of the municipality where the venue is located (this refers to "ward" in areas where the Tokyo special wards exist or in designated cities prescribed in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No.67 of 1947)) or to neighboring places provided for use to unspecified persons or a number of persons.
(vi) A person who illegally possesses any narcotics or psychotropic substances prescribed in the Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control Act (Act No. 14 of 1953), or marijuana prescribed in the Marijuana Control Act (Act No. 124 of 1948), or poppy, opium or poppy plants prescribed in the Opium Control Act (Act No. 71 of 1954), or stimulants or raw materials used to make stimulants as prescribed in the Stimulants Control Act (Act No. 252 of 1951), or any other apparatus used for smoking or eating opium.
(vii) A person who has engaged in prostitution, or intermediation or solicitation of prostitutes for other persons or provision of a place for prostitution, or any other business directly connected to prostitution (except for those who have engaged in these businesses under the control of another due to trafficking in persons).
(vii-2) A person who has committed trafficking in persons or incited or aided another to commit it.
(viii) A person who illegally possesses firearms, swords or other such weapons as prescribed in the Act for Controlling the Possession of Firearms or Swords and Other Such Weapons (Act No.6 of 1958) or explosives as provided for by the Explosives Control Act (Act No.149 of 1950).
(ix) A person who falls under any of (a) to (d) where the period set forth in the relevant provisions has not yet elapsed:
　(a) A person who has been denied landing for any of the reasons prescribed in the provisions of either item (vi) or the preceding item---1 year from the date of denial.
　(b) A person who has been deported from Japan for any of the reasons set forth in any of the items of Article 24 (except for item (iv), sub-items (l) to (o), and items (iv-3) and has not previously been deported from Japan or has not previously departed from Japan under a departure order pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-3, paragraph (1), before the aforesaid date of deportation---5 years from the date of deportation.
　(c) A person (except for those listed in sub-item (b)) who has previously been deported from Japan for falling under any of the items of Article 24 (except for item (iv), sub-items (l) to (o), and item (iv-3) ---10 years from the date of deportation.
　(d) A person who has departed from Japan under a departure order pursuant to the provisions of Article 55-3, paragraph 1---1 year from the date of departure.
(ix-2) A person who has been sentenced to imprisonment with or without work on the charge of a crime provided for in Part II, Chapters XII, XVI to XIX, XXIII, XXVI, XXVII, XXXI, XXXIII, XXXVI, XXXVII or XXXIX of the Penal Code of Japan (Act No. 45 of 1907), or in Article 1, 1-2 or 1-3 (except for the parts pertaining to Article 222 or 261 of the Penal Code of Japan) of the Act on Punishment of Physical Violence and Others (Act No. 60 of 1926), or the Act for Prevention and Disposition of Robbery, Theft, and Other Related Matters (Act No. 9 of 1930), or Article 15 or 16 of the Act on Prohibition of Possession of Special Picking Tools, and Other Related Matters(Act No. 65 of 2003) during his/her stay in Japan with the status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Table I, who subsequently left Japan and whose sentence became final and binding when he or she was outside of Japan, and for whom 5 years have not yet elapsed from the date when the sentence became final and binding.
(x) A person who has been deported from Japan for falling under any of Article 24, item (iv), sub-items (1) to (o).
(xi) A person who attempts or advocates the overthrow of the Constitution of Japan or the Government formed thereunder by means of force or violence, or who organizes or is a member of a political party or any organization which attempts or advocates the same.
(xii) A person who organizes, or is a member of, or is closely affiliated with any of the following political parties or organizations:
　(a) A political party or organization which encourages acts of violence or the assault, killing, or injury of officials of the Government or of local public entities for the reason of their being such officials
　(b) A political party or organization which encourages illegal damage or destruction of public facilities
　(c) A political party or organization which encourages acts of dispute such as stopping or preventing normal maintenance or operation of security facilities of a plant or place of work
(xiii) A person who attempts to prepare, distribute, or exhibit printed matters, motion pictures, or any other documents or drawings to attain the objectives of any political party or organization prescribed in item (xi) or the preceding item.
(xiv) In addition to those persons listed in items (i) to (xiii), a person whom the Minister of Justice has reasonable grounds to believe is likely to commit an act which could be detrimental to the interests or public security of Japan.
(2) Even in cases where an alien seeking to land in Japan does not fall under any of the items of the preceding paragraph, if the country of which he or she is a national or citizen denies landing to a Japanese national therein for any reasons other than those set forth in the items of the same paragraph, the Minister of Justice may deny his/her landing for the same reasons.

　　　CHAPTER III PROCEDURES FOR LANDING

　　　　SECTION I EXAMINATION FOR LANDING

Article 6(Application for Landing)
(1) Any alien (except for a crew member; hereinafter the same shall apply in this section) who seeks to land in Japan shall possess a valid passport with a visa issued by a Japanese consular officer. However, a visa is not required for the passport of an alien for whom a visa issued by a Japanese consular officer shall be deemed unnecessary pursuant to an international agreement or through notification to that effect from the Japanese Government to a foreign government or for the passport of an alien for whom the re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26 has been granted or for the refugee travel document which has been issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-12.
(2) The alien set forth in the first sentence of the preceding paragraph shall apply for landing to an immigration inspector at the port of entry or departure where he seeks to land and undergo an examination for landing in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(3) An alien who seeks to apply for landing as set forth in the preceding paragraph shall provide to an immigration inspector information for personal identification (fingerprints, photographs or other information as provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance that serves to identify the individual; the same shall apply hereinafter) in an electromagnetic form (an electronic form, a magnetic form or other forms that cannot be recognized by human perception; the same shall apply hereinafter) for use by a computer as provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance, which is utilized for personal identification of the applicant, pursuant to the provisions of the Ministry of Justice ordinance. However, this shall not apply to a person who falls under any of the following items:
(i) A special permanent resident provided for by the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alia, Those who have Lost Japanese Nationality Pursuant to the Treaty of Peace with Japan (Act No. 71 of 1991) (hereinafter referred to as a "special permanent resident").
(ii) A person who is under 16 years of age.
(iii) A person who seeks to engage in Japan in an activity listed in the right-hand column under "Diplomat" or "Official" of (1) of Appended Table I.
(iv) A person who is invited by the head of any national administrative organ.
(v) A person provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance as equivalent to a person listed in any of the two items immediately preceding this item.

Article 7(Immigration Inspector's Examination)
(1) When the application set forth in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article is made, an immigration inspector shall conduct an examination of the said alien as to whether or not he or she conforms to each of the following conditions for landing in Japan. (With respect to an alien who has received re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1) or a refugee travel document pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-12, paragraph (1), only the conditions listed in the following items (i) and (iv) are to be applied.)
(i) The passport possessed by the alien and the visa affixed thereto, if such is required, must be valid.
(ii) The activities to be engaged in while in Japan stated in the application must not be false, and must fall under any of the activities listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table I (with respect to the activities listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table I (5) (only the part pertaining to d.), the proposed activities must be activities designated by the Minister of Justice in the Official Gazette), or the activities of a person with the status or position listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table II (the position listed in the right-hand column under "Permanent Resident" shall be excluded; with respect to the position listed in "Long-Term Resident", the proposed position must be one of the positions designated by the Minister of Justice in the Official Gazette), and with respect to those who intend to engage in the activities listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table I (2) and (4) and in the right-hand column of Appended Table I (5) (only the part pertaining to b.), the activities shall conform to the conditions provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance which shall be provided for in consideration of factors including but not limited to the effects on Japanese industry and public welfare.
(iii) The period of stay stated in the application must conform to the provisions of the Ministry of Justice ordinance pursuant to the provisions of Article 2-2, paragraph (3).
(iv) The alien must not fall under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1).
(2) The alien subject to the examination set forth in the preceding paragraph shall prove that he or she conforms to the conditions for landing prescribed therein. In this case, an alien who seeks to engage in an activity listed in the right-hand column of (5) of Appended Table I (only the parts pertaining to (a) to (c)) shall use the certificate as provided for in the following Article to prove that he or she conforms to the conditions as listed in item (ii) of the same paragraph.
(3) The Minister of Justice shall consult with the heads of the relevant administrative organs in prescribing the ordinance set forth in paragraph (1), item (ii).
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), if an alien who, an immigration inspector acknowledges does not fall under any item of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, fails to provide information for personal identification pursuant to the provisions of the same paragraph, the inspector shall deliver the alien to a special inquiry officer for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of Article 10.

Article 7-2(Certificate of Eligibility)
(1) Upon advance application by an alien intending to land in Japan (except for those who intend to engage in the activities listed in the right-hand column corresponding to "Temporary Visitor" specified in Appended Table I (3)), the Minister of Justice, pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance, may issue a certificate of eligibility stating that the alien concerned conforms to the conditions set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), item (ii).
(2) The application for issuance of a certificate of eligibility as set forth in the preceding paragraph may be made by a member of staff of the organization wishing to accept the alien concerned, or by some other agent, as provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.

Article 8(Boarding of a Vessel or Aircraft)
　An immigration inspector may, when conducting the examination set forth in Article 7, paragraph (1), board a vessel or aircraft.

Article 9(Seal of Verification for Landing)
(1) If as a result of the examination, an immigration inspector finds that an alien conforms to the conditions for landing prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), he shall endorse as such by affixing a seal of verification for landing in the passport of the alien.
(2) In the case referred to the preceding paragraph, the determination of whether or not the alien falls under Article 5, paragraph (1), item (i) or item (ii) shall be made subject to a medical examination by a physician designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare or the Minister of Justice.
(3) The immigration inspector shall, when affixing the seal of verification for landing set forth in paragraph (1), decide the status of residence and period of stay of the alien concerned and enter it clearly in his/her passport. However, this shall not apply in cases where the alien lands with the re-entry permission pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1), or if the alien lands with a refugee travel document issued pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-12, paragraph (1).
(4) When an immigration inspector has found that an alien who falls under any of the following items conforms to the conditions for landing prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), he may record the alien's name, date of landing, the port of entry or departure at which the alien lands or other data as provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance on a file used as a record, which is a substitute for the seal of verification for landing and that is available on a computer as provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance. In this case, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, the immigration inspector does not have to affix the seal of verification set forth in the same paragraph.
(i) The alien is registered pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (7) of this Article.
(ii) The alien has provided information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of the Ministry of Justice ordinance when making an application for landing.
(5) Except for cases where a seal of verification for landing is affixed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) or the prescribed data is recorded pursuant to the provision of the preceding paragraph, the immigration inspector shall deliver the alien to a special inquiry officer for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of the following Article.
(6) Except for cases where the special provisions of Section IV apply, an alien shall not land unless he/she has had his/her passport endorsed by the seal of verification for landing pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, paragraph (8) of the following Article or Article 11, paragraph (4), or he/she has had his/her prescribed data recorded pursuant to the provision of paragraph (4) of this Article.
(7) If an alien residing in Japan who desires to depart from Japan with the intention of landing again in Japan falls under all of the following items (except for item (iii) in the case of a special permanent resident) and desires to have his/her prescribed data recorded pursuant to the provision of paragraph (4) of this Article at the port of entry or departure at which he/she lands, the Minister of Justice may make a registration to that effect pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(i) The alien has been granted a re-entry permit pursuant to the provisions of Article 26, paragraph (1) or possesses a refugee travel document which has been issued to him/her pursuant to the provisions of Article 61-2-12, paragraph (1).
(ii) The alien has provided information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(iii) The alien does not fall under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1) at the time of such registration.

　　　　SECTION II HEARING AND FILING OF AN OBJECTION

Article 10(Hearing)
(1) A special inquiry officer shall, when he/she has taken delivery of an alien pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4) or paragraph (5) of the preceding Article, promptly conduct a hearing on the alien.
(2) The special inquiry officer shall, when he/she has conducted a hearing, prepare a record thereof.
(3) The alien or a representative appearing upon his/her request may, in the course of the hearing, produce evidence and examine the witnesses.
(4) The alien may have the attendance of one of his/her relatives or acquaintances with the permission of the special inquiry officer.
(5) The special inquiry officer may, ex officio or upon the request of the alien, order the appearance of witnesses, put them under oath and seek testimony in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(6) The special inquiry officer may make inquiries to public offices or to public or private organizations and request submission of reports on necessary facts if found necessary for the hearing.
(7) When the special inquiry officer finds, as a result of the hearing, that the alien who has been delivered to him/her pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4) does not fall under any of the items of paragraph (3) of Article 6, he/she shall promptly notify the alien of the findings and order the alien to depart from Japan and shall likewise inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the alien arrived. However, this shall not apply if the alien provides the special inquiry officer with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(8) If the special inquiry officer finds, as a result of the hearing, that the alien (in the case of an alien who has been delivered to him/her pursuant to the provisions of Article 7, paragraph (4), this will only apply to an alien who, a special inquiry officer finds, falls under any item of Article 6, paragraph (3) or to an alien who provides the special inquiry officer with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance; hereinafter the same shall apply in paragraph (10)) conforms to the conditions for landing as prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), the special inquiry officer shall immediately affix the seal of verification for landing in the passport of the alien.
(9) The provisions of paragraph (3) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the seal of verification for landing set forth in the preceding paragraph.
(10) If the special inquiry officer finds, as a result of the hearing, that the alien does not conform to the conditions for landing prescribed in Article 7, paragraph (1), he/she shall promptly notify the alien of the findings and the reason therefor, and inform the alien that he/she may file an objection pursuant to the provisions of the following Article.
(11) If the alien, upon receipt of the notice set forth in the preceding paragraph, has no objection to the findings set forth in the preceding paragraph, the special inquiry officer shall order the alien to depart from Japan after he/she has signed a statement that he/she will not file an objection and shall likewise inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the alien arrived.

Article 11(Filing of an Objection)
(1) If an alien who has received the notice set forth in paragraph (10) of the preceding Article has an objection to the findings, he/she may, within 3 days from receipt of the notice, file an objection with the Minister of Justice by submitting a document with a statement of his/her complaint to a supervising immigration inspector in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(2) If the objection set forth in the preceding paragraph is filed, the supervising immigration inspector shall submit to the Minister of Justice the records of the hearing as set forth in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article and other pertinent documents.
(3) When the Minister of Justice has received the objection pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1), he/she shall decide whether or not the objection is with reason and notify the supervising immigration inspector of such decision.
(4) The supervising immigration inspector shall, if he/she has received from the Minister of Justice a notice of a decision to the effect that the objection is with reason, immediately affix the seal of verification for landing in the passport of the alien.
(5) The provisions of Article 9, paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the affixing of the seal of verification for landing set forth in the preceding paragraph.
(6) The supervising immigration inspector shall, if he/she has received from the Minister of Justice a notice of a decision to the effect that the objection is without reason, inform the alien promptly of the decision and order him/her to depart from Japan, and shall likewise inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the alien arrived.

Article 12(Special Cases of Decisions of the Minister of Justice)
(1) In making a decision as set forth in paragraph (3) of the preceding Article, the Minister of Justice may, even if he/she finds that the objection filed is without reason, grant special permission for landing to such alien if the alien concerned falls under any of the following items.
(i) He/She has received permission for re-entry.
(ii) He/She has entered Japan under the control of another due to trafficking in persons.
(iii) The Minister of Justice finds that circumstances exist that warrant the granting of special permission for landing.
(2) The permission set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be regarded, with respect to application of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article, as a decision to the effect that the objection filed was with reason.

　　　　SECTION III PROVISIONAL LANDING AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Article 13(Permission for Provisional Landing)
(1) A supervising immigration inspector may, if he/she finds it specifically necessary during the process of the procedures for landing as prescribed in this Chapter, grant permission for provisional landing to an alien until completion of the procedures.
(2) If the supervising immigration inspector grants the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, he/she shall issue a provisional landing permit to the alien.
(3) If the permission set forth in paragraph (1) is granted, the supervising immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the alien's residence and area of movement, oblige the alien to appear at a summons, and may impose other necessary conditions pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance, and have him/her pay a deposit in Japanese currency not exceeding 2 million yen or an equivalent amount in a foreign currency provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(4) The deposit set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be returned to the alien concerned when the alien has received the seal of verification for landing pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (8) or Article 11, paragraph (4), or when the alien is ordered to depart from Japan pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (7) or 11 or Article 11, paragraph (6).
(5) If the alien who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (1) has violated the conditions imposed pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) and if the alien has fled or failed to appear at a summons without justifiable reason, the supervising immigration inspector shall sequestrate the whole or in other cases part of the deposit set forth in the same paragraph pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(6) If the supervising immigration inspector has reasonable grounds to suspect that the alien who has been granted the permission as set forth in paragraph (1) is likely to flee, he/she may issue a written detention order and have the alien detained by an immigration control officer.
(7) The provisions of Articles 40, 41 and Article 42, paragraph (1) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the detention pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph. In this case, "the written detention order set forth in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article" in Article 40 shall be deemed to be replaced with "the written detention order set forth in Article 13, paragraph (6)"; "the suspect" with "the alien granted permission for provisional landing"; and "the summary of the suspected offense" with "grounds for detention", respectively. In Article 41, paragraph (1), "shall be within 30 days. However, if a supervising immigration inspector finds that there are unavoidable reasons, he/she may extend such period for only a further 30 days" shall be deemed to be replaced with "for a period of time preceding the completion of procedures for landing provided for in Chapter III which the supervising immigration inspector finds to be necessary"; and in paragraph (3) of the same Article and Article 42, paragraph (1), "a suspect" shall be deemed to be replaced with "an alien granted permission for provisional landing".

Article 13-2(Place of Stay for an Alien Ordered Exclusion)
(1) In the event that the exclusion which has been ordered pursuant to the provisions of Article 10, paragraph (7) or (11) or Article 11, paragraph (6) cannot be carried out due to the operating schedule of the vessel or aircraft or other reasons not imputable to the alien, a special inquiry officer or a supervising immigration inspector may permit the alien to stay in a designated facility in the vicinity of the port of entry or departure for a designated period, pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(2) The special inquiry officer or the supervising immigration inspector shall, when he/she has designated the facility and the period set forth in the preceding paragraph, likewise inform the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft by which the alien arrived.

　　　　SECTION IV SPECIAL CASES OF LANDING

Article 14(Permission for Landing at a Port of Call)
(1) An immigration inspector may grant an alien (except for crew members) aboard a vessel or aircraft permission for landing at the port of call if he/she is to proceed via Japan to an area outside Japan, and desires to land and stay for not more than 72 hours in an area in the vicinity of the port of entry or departure upon an application from the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft. However, this shall not apply to an alien who falls under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1).
(2) When the immigration inspector finds it necessary for examination pertaining to the granting of the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, he/she may require the alien to provide him/her with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(3) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector shall affix a seal of verification for landing at the port of call in the passport of the alien concerned.
(4) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the alien's period of landing, area of movement and other necessary conditions pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.

Article 15(Permission for Landing in Transit)
(1) An immigration inspector may grant an alien (except for crew members) aboard a vessel permission for landing in transit upon an application from the captain of the vessel or the carrier who operates the vessel, when such alien desires to land temporarily for sightseeing purposes while the vessel is in Japan and to return to said vessel at another port of entry or departure at which the vessel is scheduled to call.
(2) An immigration inspector may, upon an application from the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft, grant an alien (except for crew members) aboard the vessel or aircraft permission for landing in transit when such alien desires to proceed via Japan to an area outside Japan and to make a transit stop in order to depart from Japan within 3 days of his/her entry into Japan from another port of entry or departure in the vicinity of the port at which the said alien entered Japan on board a vessel or aircraft other than the one on which the alien arrived in Japan.
(3) When the immigration inspector finds it necessary for examination pertaining to the granting of the permission set forth in the preceding two paragraphs, he/she may require the alien to provide him/her with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(4) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector shall affix a seal of verification for landing in transit in the passport of the alien concerned.
(5) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the alien's period of landing, route to be followed in transit and other necessary conditions pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance
(6) The provisions of the proviso to paragraph (1) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis in the cases referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article.

Article 16(Landing Permission for Crew Members)
(1) An immigration inspector may grant landing permission for crew members to a foreign crew member (including those who have become crew members in Japan; hereinafter the same shall apply in this Article) who desires to land for a period not exceeding 15 days for the purpose of transferring to another vessel or aircraft (including boarding of a vessel or aircraft), rest, shopping or other similar purposes upon an application from the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft (including the vessel or aircraft he/she is to board) in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(2) An immigration inspector may grant landing permission for crew members to a crew member who falls under any of the following items if he/she finds that there are reasonable grounds to do so:
(i) Where a foreign crew member of a vessel placed on regular service between Japan and other countries or of other vessels frequently entering into Japanese ports of entry and departure, wishes to land in Japan for rest, shopping or other similar purposes on multiple occasions within 1 year from the date of permission, upon an application from the captain of the vessel or the carrier who operates the vessel on which the alien is aboard, in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(ii) Where a foreign crew member of a carrier engaged in regular airline services between Japan and other countries wishes to land in Japan for a period not exceeding fifteen days from each arrival date for rest, shopping or other similar purposes and to depart from the same airport of entry or departure as a crew member of an aircraft belonging to the same carrier, on multiple occasions within 1 year from the date of permission, upon an application from the carrier concerned, in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(3) When the immigration inspector finds it necessary for examination pertaining to the granting of the permission set forth in the preceding two paragraphs, he/she may require the alien to provide him/her with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(4) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector shall issue a crew member's landing permit to the crew member concerned.
(5) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the crew member's period of landing, area of movement (including the route to be followed in transit) and other necessary conditions pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(6) The provisions of the proviso to Article 14, paragraph (1), shall apply mutatis mutandis in the cases referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Article.
(7) When the crew member who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (2) of this Article intends to land based on such permission, the immigration inspector may, if he/she finds it necessary to do so, require the crew member to provide him/her with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(8) When the crew member who has been granted the permission set forth in paragraph (2) intends to land based on such permission, and when the immigration inspector finds that the crew member falls under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1), the immigration inspector shall revoke the permission immediately.
(9) In addition to the cases referred to in the preceding paragraph, the immigration inspector may revoke the permission, in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance, if the immigration inspector finds it inappropriate to continue granting the permission concerned. In this case, when the crew member is in Japan, the immigration inspector shall designate a period within which the crew member shall return to his/her ship or depart from Japan.

Article 17(Permission for Emergency Landing)
(1) In the case of disease or any other accident, which urgently requires the landing of an alien aboard a vessel or aircraft for the purpose of undergoing medical treatment, an immigration inspector may grant permission for emergency landing to the alien concerned based on an application from the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft until the cause thereof ceases to exist, subject to a medical examination by a physician designated by the Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare or the Minister of Justice.
(2) When the immigration inspector finds it necessary for examination pertaining to the granting of the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, he/she may require the alien to provide him/her with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(3) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector shall issue an emergency landing permit to the alien concerned.
(4) When the permission set forth in paragraph (1) has been granted, the captain of the vessel or aircraft or the carrier set forth in the same paragraph shall be liable to pay the costs of living, medical treatment, or the funeral service of the alien concerned and any other expenses incurred during the emergency landing.

Article 18(Landing Permission Due to Distress)
(1) An immigration inspector may, if a vessel or aircraft is in distress and he/she finds it necessary for rescue and protection of alien victims on board the vessel or aircraft or any other emergency measures to be carried out, grant the alien concerned permission for landing due to distress based on an application from the mayor of the city, town or village which is carrying out the rescue and protection work pursuant to the provisions of the Sea Casualties Rescue Act (Act No. 95 of 1899), or upon an application from the captain of the vessel or aircraft which has carried out the rescue and protection of the alien victims, the captain of the vessel or aircraft in distress or the carrier who operates the vessel or aircraft.
(2) The immigration inspector shall grant permission for landing due to distress immediately, notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, when he/she has taken delivery of the alien set forth in the preceding paragraph from a police official or coast guard officer.
(3) When the immigration inspector finds it necessary for examination pertaining to the granting of the permission set forth in paragraph (1) of this Article, he/she may require the alien to provide him/her with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance. This will also apply if he/she finds it necessary to do so when taking delivery of the alien pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph.
(4) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or (2), the immigration inspector shall issue a landing permit due to distress to the alien concerned.
(5) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1) or paragraph (2), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the alien's period of landing, area of movement and other necessary conditions pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.

Article 18-2(Landing Permission for Temporary Refuge)
(1) An immigration inspector may grant permission for landing for temporary refuge upon an application from an alien aboard a vessel or aircraft, who is considered to fall under all of the following items:
(i) A person who has entered Japan on the grounds prescribed in Article 1, paragraph A-(2) of the Refugee Convention or other equivalent grounds thereto after fleeing from a territory where his/her life, body or physical freedom was likely to be endangered.
(ii) It would be appropriate for permission for temporary landing to be granted.
(2) When the immigration inspector finds it necessary for examination pertaining to the granting of the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph, he/she may require the alien to provide him/her with information for personal identification in an electromagnetic form pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(3) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector shall issue a landing permit for temporary refuge to the alien concerned.
(4) In granting the permission set forth in paragraph (1), the immigration inspector may impose restrictions on the alien's period of landing, residence, area of movement and other necessary conditions pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.

　　　CHAPTER IV RESIDENCE AND DEPARTURE

　　　　SECTION I RESIDENCE, CHANGE OF STATUS OF RESIDENCE, REVOCATION AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS

Article 19(Residence)
(1) Any alien who is a resident under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Table I shall not engage in the activities set forth in the following items, with regard to the categories identified therein, except for cases where he/she engages in them with permission set forth in paragraph (2) of this Article.
(i) An alien who is a resident under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Tables I (1), I (2) and I (5): activities related to the management of business involving income or activities for which he/she receives reward (except for rewards for lectures not given on a regular basis, incidental reward in daily life and other payments provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance; the same shall apply hereinafter), which are not included in those activities listed in the right-hand column of those tables corresponding to each status of residence.
(ii) An alien who is a resident under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Tables I (3) and I (4): activities related to the management of business involving income or activities for which he/she receives reward.
(2) When an application has been submitted by an alien who is a resident under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Table I, in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance, to engage in activities related to the management of business involving income or activities for which he/she receives reward, which are not included in those activities listed in the right-hand column of the same table, the Minister of Justice may grant permission if he/she finds reasonable grounds to do so to the extent that there is no impediment to the original activities under the status of residence.
(3) Any foreign crew member who has been granted permission for landing pursuant to the provisions of Articles 16 to 18 shall continue to be regarded as a crew member, after ceasing to be a crew member through discharge, as long as he/she remains in Japan.

Article 19-2(Certificate of Authorization for Employment)
(1) When an application has been submitted by an alien residing in Japan, the Minister of Justice may issue a document which certifies the eligibility of the applicant for activities related to the management of business involving income or activities for which he/she receives reward pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(2) No one shall discriminate in employing an alien for failure to show or submit the certificate set forth in the preceding paragraph, when it is evident that the person concerned is authorized to engage in activities related to the management of business involving income or activities for which he/she receives reward.

Article 20(Change of Status of Residence)
(1) Any alien who has a status of residence may have his/her status of residence changed (including the period of stay thereon; hereinafter the same shall apply in paragraphs (1) to (3)) (in the case of an alien residing under the status of residence of "Designated Activities," including a change in the activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice with respect to the person concerned).
(2) Any alien who wishes to have his/her status of residence changed pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall apply to the Minister of Justice for the change of status of residence in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance. However, if he/she desires to have his status of residence changed to that of "Permanent Resident", he shall comply with the procedures pursuant to the provisions of Article 22, paragraph (1).
(3) When an application for change of status of residence has been submitted as set forth in the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice may grant permission only when he/her finds that there are reasonable grounds to grant the change of status of residence on the strength of the documents submitted by the alien. However, in the case of an application submitted by a person whose status of residence is "Temporary Visitor", permission shall not be granted unless the application is made based on special unavoidable circumstances.
(4) When the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph has been granted, if the alien has his/her passport in his/her possession, the Minister of Justice shall have an immigration inspector enter the new status of residence and period of stay in the passport of the alien, and if the alien does not have a passport in his/her possession, shall have the immigration inspector either issue to the alien a certificate of status of residence with the new status of residence and period of stay entered or enter the new status of residence and period of stay in the previously issued certificate of status of residence. In this case, the permission will become effective as of the time of entry or issuance.

Article 21(Extension of Period of Stay)
(1) Any alien residing in Japan may, without changing his/her status of residence, have his/her period of stay extended.
(2) Any alien who wishes to have his/her period of stay extended pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall apply to the Minister of Justice for an extension of such period in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(3) When the application set forth in the preceding paragraph has been submitted, the Minister of Justice may grant permission only when he/she finds that there are reasonable grounds to grant the extension of the period of stay on the strength of the documents submitted by the alien.
(4) When the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph has been granted, if the alien has his/her passport in his/her possession, the Minister of Justice shall have an immigration inspector enter the new period of stay in the passport of the alien, and if the alien does not have a passport in his/her possession shall have the immigration inspector either issue to the alien a certificate of status of residence with the status of residence and new period of stay entered or enter the new period of stay in the previously issued certificate of status of residence. In this case, the provisions of the second sentence of paragraph (4) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Article 22(Permission for Permanent Residence)
(1) Any alien who wishes to change his/her status of residence to that of "Permanent Resident" shall apply to the Minister of Justice for permission for permanent residence in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(2) When the application set forth in the preceding paragraph has been submitted, the Minister of Justice may grant permission only when he/she finds that the alien conforms to the following items and that his/her permanent residence will be in accordance with the interests of Japan. However, the following items do not have to be conformed to in cases of the spouse and children of Japanese nationals, of residents with permanent residence status or of special permanent residents.
(i) The alien's behavior and conduct must be good.
(ii) The alien must have sufficient assets or skills to make an independent living.
(3) When the permission set forth in the preceding paragraph has been granted, if the alien has his/her passport in his/her possession, the Minister of Justice shall have an immigration inspector repeal the status of residence and period of stay entered in the alien's passport and affix a seal of verification for permanent residence in his/her passport, and if the alien does not have his/her passport in his/her possession shall have the immigration inspector issue to the alien a certificate of status of residence with permission for permanent residence. In this case, the permission will become effective as of the time of affixing of the seal of verification or issuance of the certificate.

Article 22-2(Acquisition of Status of Residence)
(1) Any person who has renounced Japanese nationality or any alien who is to stay in Japan without following the procedures for landing as provided for in the preceding Chapter, through birth or for any other cause, may, notwithstanding the provisions of Article 2-2, paragraph (1), continue to stay in Japan without acquiring a status of residence for a period not exceeding 60 days, on and after the date of his/her renouncement of Japanese nationality, birth, or other cause.
(2) The alien prescribed in the preceding paragraph who wishes to stay in Japan for longer than the period set forth in the same paragraph, shall apply to the Minister of Justice for the acquisition of status of residence in accordance with the procedures pursuant to the provisions of a Ministry of Justice ordinance within 30 days, on and after the date of his/her renouncement of Japanese nationality, birth, or other cause.
(3) The provisions of Article 20, paragraphs (3) and (4) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the procedures for an application to acquire status of residence prescribed in the preceding paragraph (except for an application to acquire the status of residence of permanent resident). In this case, "the change of status of residence" in Article 20, paragraph (3) shall be deemed to be replaced with "the acquisition of status of residence".
(4) The provisions of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the procedures for an application to acquire the status of residence of permanent resident, in the course of the application to acquire the status of residence as prescribed in paragraph (2). In this case, "to change his/her status of residence" in paragraph (1) of the preceding Article shall be deemed to be replaced with "to acquire his/her status of residence"; in the same paragraph "to change his/her status of residence to that" shall be deemed to be replaced with "to acquire his/her status of residence"; in paragraph (3) of the same Article "repeal the status of residence and period of stay entered in the alien's passport and affix a seal of verification for permanent residence in his/her passport" shall be deemed to be replaced with "affix a seal of verification for permanent residence in his/her passport".

Article 22-3
The provisions of paragraphs (2) to (4) of the preceding Article shall apply mutatis mutandis to an alien who has received permission for landing for the temporary refuge prescribed in Article 18-2, paragraph (1), only in cases where he/she is to reside under any status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Table I or II. In this case, "within 30 days, on and after the date of his/her renouncement of Japanese nationality, birth, or other cause" in paragraph (2) of the preceding Article shall be deemed to be replaced with "within the period of landing pertaining to the permission for landing".

Article 22-4(Revocation3 of Status of Residence)
(1) Where any of the following facts are found with respect to an alien residing in Japan under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Table I or Appended Table II (except for those recognized as refugees set forth in Article 61-2, paragraph (1)), the Minister of Justice may revoke the alien's status of residence in accordance with the procedures provided for by a Ministry of Justice ordinance.
(i) The alien has received, by deceit or other wrongful means, a seal of verification for landing (including the recording of the prescribed data pursuant to the provision of Article 9, paragraph (4)) or special permission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III, Section I or II, on the consideration that he/she does not fall under any of the items of Article 5, paragraph (1).
(ii) The alien has received, by deceit or other wrongful means, a seal of verification for landing (a seal of verification for landing or special permission pursuant to the provisions of Chapter III, Section I or II (limited to those with the decision of status of residence) or the permission pursuant to the provisions of this section (except for Article 19, paragraph (2)), and where two or more seals or permissions have been granted, the most recent; hereinafter the same shall apply in this item, the next item, and item (iv)), on the consideration that the activities stated in the application for such permission, as those in which he/she intends to be engaged are not false and fall under any of the activities listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table I or the activities of a person with the status or position listed in the right-hand column of Appended Table II.
(iii) In addition to the cases listed in the preceding two items, the alien has received, by deceit or other wrongful means, a seal of verification for landing.
(iv) In addition to the cases listed in the preceding three items, the alien has received, by submitting or presenting a document that contains a false entry (including the certificate pursuant to the provisions of Article 7-2, paragraph (1), obtained by submitting or presenting a document or drawing that contains a false entry and a visa obtained for the passport by submitting or presenting a document or drawing that contains a false entry) or a drawing that contains a false entry, a seal of verification for landing.
(v) In addition to the cases listed in any of the preceding items, the alien residing under a status of residence listed in the left-hand column of Appended Table I has failed to continue to engage in the activities listed in the right-hand column corresponding to that status for three months or more while residing in Japan (except for cases where the alien has justifiable reason for not engaging in the activities while residing in Japan).
(2) When revoking the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice shall have an immigration inspector that he/she has designated hear the opinion of the alien.
(3) When having the designated immigration inspector hear the opinion pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the Minister of Justice shall notify the alien, in advance, of the date and place of the hearing as well as the facts constituting the grounds for the revocation.
(4) The alien or a representative may appear on the date set forth in the preceding paragraph to state an opinion and submit evidence.
(5) When the alien fails to appear before the hearing set forth in paragraph (2) without justifiable reason, the Minister of Justice may, notwithstanding the provisions of the same paragraph, revoke the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) without hearing the alien's opinion.
(6) When revoking the status of residence pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) (limited to thos