Despite Protest, Japan likely to Pass New immigration Laws

IMPORTANT READ FOR THE JAPANESE-BY-HEART AND NOT BY-STATUS

Once again, Japan’s xenophobic tendencies are taking control. The proposed changes to Japan’s immigration law is likely to pass the Lower House of the Diet this week, despite being met with opposition from expats and even Japanese citizens. The Democratic Party of Japan rolled out data estimating there are 110,000 undocumented foreigners living in Japan, which need to be tracked. Currently, each municipality issues an Alien Registration Card to foreigners residing in Japan (which they must carry at all times - photo above) and provide public services to foreigners, even if they know they are overstaying their visas. The revised bills will transfer immigration responsibilities from the municipal governments to the central government’s Immigration Bureau, and abolishes the Alien Registration Act - replacing it with new documentation procedures and identification methods.

So what will these changes mean for any foreigner currently residing in, or planning to make the move to Japan? Let’s take a quick look at what the bill entails:

1. A new form of identification called a “zairyu” (residence) card will replace the current alien registration cards, and the personal information and code numbers on them will be given to “the justice minister.” In addition, foreign residents will also be required to be listed on Juki Net, the contentious nationwide resident registry network that lists data on all Japanese residents in each municipality.

2. The bill would require non-Japanese workers to report to an immigration office every time they renew thier job contracts or change their address. Currently, foreign workers report those changes to their local municipal government offices, but this practice would end because all administrative work concerning foreigners would be undertaken by the central government.

3. Anyone who fails to notify the government of a change in address within 14 days could be fined up to ¥200,000 (almost $2000) or their residency status could be revoked if they fail to report the change within 90 days.

4. Special permanent residents, who are typically of Korean or Taiwanese descent, will not have to carry special permanent resident cards, but will still need to possess them. (Special permanent resident status is normally given to people who moved to Japan from the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan during Japan’s colonial rule in the early 20th century, and lost their Japanese citizenship due to peace treaties, and their descendants)

The Japanese government hopes to further prevent illegal residents, and to keep the good alien citizens around. Foreigners who abide by the law will be granted more conveniences, including five-year visas and permit-free re-entry as long as they return within a year.

Information taken from Japan Times Online