Published: 2004
Key Benefits:
Alien Registration Act
(Act No. 125 of April 28, 1952)
(Purpose)
Article 1 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.
(Definition)
Article 2 (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.
(Initial Registration)
Article 3 (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
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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
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(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.
(Handling of the Registration Card)
Article 4-2 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.
(Disclosure, etc. of Registration Card)
Article 4-3 (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
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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.
(Issuance of a Registration Certificate)
Article 5 (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 specif ied 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.
(Issuance of an Exchange Registration Certificate)
Article 6 (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;
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(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 i t
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
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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).
(Reissuance of the Registration Certificate)
Article 7 (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
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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.
(Registration of Change in the Place of Residence)
Article 8 (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.
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(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.
(Change in the Place of Residence and Issuance of a Registration Certificate)
Article 8-2 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.
(Registration of Change in Registered Matters Other than the Place of
Residence)
Article 9 (1) In cases where any change has taken place in the matters of item
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(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
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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
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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.
(Registration of Change Owing to Abolition, Creation, Division or
Amalgamation of a City, Town, Village or Prefecture)
Article 10 (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).
(Correction in the Registration)
Article 10-2 (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.
(Issuance of a Registration Certificate for Renewal)
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Article 11 (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.
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(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).
(Return of the Registration Certificate)
Article 12 (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
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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.
(Receipt, Carrying and Presentation of the Registration Certificate)
Article 13 (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.
(Signature)
Article 14 (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
14
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).
(Appearing person, Application by representative)
Article 15 (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
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paragraph (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years).
(Investigation into Facts)
Article 15-2 (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.
(Exemption from Application of the Administrative Procedure Act)
Article 15-3 Chapters II and III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88
of 1993) do not apply to the administrative measures under this Act.
(Report of Registration of Changes)
Article 16 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.
(Classification of Administration Work)
Article 16-2 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.
(Delegation of Cabinet Order)
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Article 17 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).
(Penal Provisions)
Article 18 (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), 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));
(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
17
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
18
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.
(Judicial Decision with Jurisdiction over Judicial Decisions on Non-Penal
Fines)
Article 20 The judicial decision for the imposition of the non-penal fines
prescribed in the preceding paragraphs shall be rendered by the summary
courts.
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