ALIEN REGISTRATION LAW
(PROVISIONAL TRANSLATION)
Webmaster's note: As a provisional translation, these texts are for a
convenience only. Original provisions in Japanese alone are enforceable.
Law No.125 of 1952
Latest Amendment: Law No.134 of 1999
(Purpose)
Article 1.
The Purpose of this Law is to establish equitable 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.
The term"alien"as used in this Law shall mean, those persons not in the
possession of Japanese nationality, persons other than those who have
been granted permission for provisional landing, landing at the
port-of-call, landing in transit, crewman's landing, emergency landing
and landing due to disaster 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. The person who has two or more nationalities other than Japanese
nationality shall be regarded, for the purpose of this Law, as having
the nationality of the country to which the last issuing authority of
his passport (meaning the passport provided for in Article 2, item (5)
of the Immigration Control Act; hereinafter the same) belongs.
(Initial Registration)
Article 3.
Any alien in Japan shall apply for his registration to the mayor or
head of the city, town or village (of ward, in the case of the part of
Tokyo-to which is divided into the special wards or in the case of the
cities designated in Article 252-19, Paragraph 1 of the Local Autonomy
Law (Law No.67 of 1947); hereinafter the same) in which his residence
is located, submitting the documents and photographs specified in the
following items, within ninety days of the day of his landing in case
he has entered Japan (excepting the case where the alien who had
departed from Japan with the re-entry permission under Article 26 of
the Immigration Control Act has re-entered Japan and the case where the
alien who had departed from Japan with the Refugee Travel Document
under Article 61-2-6 of the Immigration Control Act has entered Japan
being in possession of the Refugee Travel Document concerned) or within
sixty days of the day of his having become an alien or the day of his
birth or the occurrence of other relevant causes in case he has become
an alien in Japan or when he has come to stay in Japan without
following the procedure for landing provided for in Chapter III of the
Immigration Control Act due to his birth or other causes:
(1) One application for alien registration;
(2) Passport;
(3) Two passport-size 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
his photographs.
3. If the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village finds
that there are unavoidable circumstances in the case of an alien's
application under Paragraph 1, he may extend the period for application
mentioned in the same paragraph to another period not exceeding sixty
days.
4. In case an alien has filed an application provided for in Paragraph
1, he shall not make the application mentioned in the same paragraph
again.
Article 4.
The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in case
an application has been made under Paragraph 1 of the preceding
Article, register, on the alien registration card (hereinafter referred
to as "registration card"), the following Items, among which (9) and
(20) are to be registered only for aliens other than the permanent
residents specified in the upper column of Table 2 of the Immigration
Control Act (hereinafter referred to as "permanent resident") or
special permanent residents as provided for in the Special Law on the
Immigration Control of, Inter Alios, Those Who Have Lost Japanese
Nationality on the Basis of the Treaty of Peace with Japan (Law No.71
of 1991, hereinafter referred to as "the Special Law on Immigration
Control") (hereinafter referred to as "special permanent resident"),
while Items (18) and (20) are to be registered only for aliens other
than those whose period of stay has been prescribed to be less than one
year under the provisions of the Immigration Control Act and who are
staying within such period (excluding aliens who have been granted
permission to stay in Japan for one year or more counting from a
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)
(hereinafter referred to as "less-than-one-year resident"), and the
application shall be kept in the offices of the relevant city, town or
village.
(1) Number of registration;
(2) Date of registration;
(3) Name in full;
(4) Date of birth;
(5) Sex;
(6) Nationality;
(7) Domicile or residence in the country of his nationality;
(8) Place of birth;
(9) Occupation;
(10) Passport number;
(11) Date of issuance of passport;
(12) Date of landing permission;
(13) Status of residence (meaning the status of residence as a
permanent resident or special permanent resident as provided for in the
Immigration Control Act)
(14) Period of stay (meaning the period of stay provided for in the
Immigration Control Act);
(15) Address in Japan;
(16) Name of householder;
(17) Personal relationship to householder;
(18) Name, date of birth, nationality and personal relationship to
householder of the household members (except the householder concerned)
in case the alien concerned is a householder;
(19) Name, date of birth and nationality of father, mother and spouse
who are in Japan (except father, mother and spouse who are the members
of the household, in case the alien concerned is a householder);
(20) Name and location of place where the alien is employed or his
office;
2. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in
case he has carried out the registration mentioned in the preceding
paragraph, prepare the copy of the registration card concerned and send
it to the Minister of Justice.
(Handling of 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 the necessary measures for equitable control
of the registration cards to prevent the leak, loss or damage, etc. of
registration data.
(Disclosure of Registration Card)
Article 4-3.
The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall not make
public the registration cards, except in cases where the application
has been made under the following Paragraphs 2-5 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 proxy of the alien or a member of the family having the same
residence (including the person living together as a spouse without
actually being bound by a marriage certificate) 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.
4. 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 registrered matters,
in the event that the registered facts of the registration card are
necessary for administrative procedures mentioned in the concerned law.
5. Lawyers or other people prescribed in the Cabinet Order may apply to
the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village for issuance
of a certificate of registered matters, if it is necessary to utilize
the registered facts of the registration card for the procedures
mentioned in the concerned laws or for carrying out their duties.
However, except in cases provided in Article 4, Paragraph 1, Items
(3)-(7) and (15)-(17), the registered matters of the registration card
shall not be made open to the public unless otherwise there is an
urgent need.
6. The application mentioned in the preceding three paragraphs must
make the facts such as the reason for the application clear, as
provided for in the Ministry of Justice Ordinance.
(Issuance of Registration Certificate)
Article 5.
The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, when he
has carried out the registration mentioned in Paragraph 1 of Article 4,
prepare the alien registration certificate (hereinafter referred to as
"registration certificate") containing the statement of matters
specified in the items of the said paragraph (except Items (18) and
(19)) with respect to the alien concerned and issue the same to him.
2. When the registration certificate cannot be issued on the spot in
the case of the preceding paragraph because of the investigation
concerning the application mentioned in Article 3, Paragraph 1 or any
other unavoidable circumstances due to the conduct of office work, the
mayor of the city or the head of the town or village may designate the
period for its issuance in writing and issue the certificate within
such period in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of
Justice Ordinance.
(Exchange Issuance of Registration Certificate)
Article 6.
The alien may, in case his registration certificate has been noticeably
damaged or spoiled, 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 wherein he resides:
(1) One application for issuance of registration certificate;
(2) Passport;
(3) 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
his photographs.
3. In case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has
received the application under Paragraph 1, he shall confirm whether
the entry of the registration card is in accordance with the actual
facts.
4. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in
case he has confirmed under the preceding paragraph, issue a new
registration certificate according to 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
the alien who carries a noticeably damaged or spoiled registration
certificate to return it and to make the application under Paragraph 1.
7. In case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has
received the application provided for in Paragraph 1, he may make a new
registration card by rewriting the registration card of the alien.
Article 6-2.
On the occasion when the alien is to request the 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, in case the registration certificate possessed by the
alien concerned has exhausted the space to express the change in
accordance with Article 8, Paragraph 3, Article 9, Paragraph 3, Article
9-2, Paragraph 2, or Article 9-3, Paragraph 2, or in case the
registration of change concerns any item mentioned in Article 4,
Paragraph 1, item (3) or (6), he shall apply for issuance of a new
registration certificate in exchange for the previously issued one,
with submitting the following documents and photographs.
(1) One application for issuance of registration certificate;
(2) Passport;
(3) Two photographs.
2. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in
case that the alien submits the registration certificate whose
expression does not correspond to the fact because of the registration
of change under Article 10, Paragraph 1 and that the registration
certificate concerned has exhausted the space to express the change in
accordance with Article 10, Paragraph 2, or in case that he has
corrected the entries in the registration card in accordance with
Article 10-2, Paragraph 1 and that the registration certificate
possessed by the alien concerned has exhausted the space to express the
correction in pursuance with Article 10-2, Paragraph 3, or that such a
correction concerns any item mentioned in Article 4, Paragraph 1, Item
(3), (4), (5) or (6) order the alien concerned to apply for issuance of
a new registration certificate in exchange of the previously issued
one, with submitting the documents and photographs mentioned in the
preceding paragraph.
3. In the case of the application mentioned in the preceding two
paragraphs, a person under the age of sixteen years shall not be
required to submit his photographs.
4. In case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has
received the application under Paragraph 1 or 2, he shall confirm
whether the entry of the registration card is in accordance with the
actual fact.
5. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in
case he has confirmed under the preceding paragraph, issue a new
registration certificate according to the registration card.
6. The provisions of Article 5, Paragraph 2 and Article 6, Paragraph 7
shall be applied mutatis mutandis to the application in either
Paragraph 1 or 2.
(Reissuance of Registration Certificate)
Article 7.
In case the alien has lost his registration certificate due to loss,
theft, robbery or destruction, he shall apply for the reissuance of a
registration certificate, submitting the documents and photographs
specified in the following items to the mayor or head of the city, town
or village wherein he resides within fourteen days of the day whereon
he has become aware of such fact. The same shall apply to the case of
the alien who had departed from Japan with the re-entry permission
under Article 26 of the Immigration Control Act and re-entered Japan or
who had departed from Japan with the Refugee Travel Document under
Article 61-2-6 of the Immigration Control Act and entered Japan holding
the Refugee Travel Document concerned without possessing his
registration certificate excepting the cause of loss, theft, robbery or
destruction:
(1) One application for issuance of registration certificate;
(2) Passport;
(3) Two photographs;
(4) Documents which the mayor of the city or the head of the town or
village deems especially necessary in addition to those mentioned 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
his photographs.
3. In case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has
received the application under Paragraph 1, he shall confirm whether
the entry of the registration card is in accord with the actual facts.
4. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in
case he has confirmed under the preceding paragraph, issue a new
registration certificate according to the registration card.
5. The provisions of Article 5, Paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis
mutandis in the case of the preceding paragraph.
6. In case a registration certificate is reissued pursuant to the
provisions of 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.
7. In case the alien has recovered the registration certificate which
had lost its validity according to the provision of the preceding
paragraph after the reissuance of the new registration certificate to
him under Paragraph 4, he shall promptly return the registration
certificate recovered to the mayor or head of the city, town or village
wherein he resides.
8. The provisions of Paragraph 7 of Article 6 shall apply mutatis
mutandis in the case wherein the application provided for in Paragraph
1 has been made.
(Registration of Change of Place of Residence)
Article 8.
In case the alien has changed his place of residence (excepting the
case wherein he has changed his place of residence within the limits of
one and the same city, town or village), he shall apply for the
registration of the change of 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 new residence is located
within fourteen days of the day of his removal to the new place of
residence.
2. In case the alien has changed his place of residence within the
limits of one and the same city, town or village, he shall apply for
the registration of the change of the place of residence by submitting
a written application for registration of the change to the mayor or
head of city, town or village within fourteen days of the day of his
removal to the new place of residence.
3. When the alien files the application provided for in Paragraph 1 or
the preceding paragraph, he shall submit the registration certificate
which he carries, unless he is obliged to apply for the exchange
issuance of registration certificate by virtue of Article 6-2,
Paragraph 1. In this case the mayor of the city or the head of the town
or village shall express the amendment of the place of residence in the
registration certificate and return the same to the alien concerned.
4. In case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has
received the application under Paragraph 1, he 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 to send him the
registration card concerning the alien.
5. In case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has
received the request provided for in the preceding paragraph, he 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 case 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 shall carry out the registration of
the change of 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 may extend the period provided for in the
said paragraphs to another period not exceeding fourteen days.
(Change of Place of Residence and Issuance of Registration Certificate)
Article 8-2.
In case 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, has made the application under the preceding Article,
Paragraph 1 before he has received the registration certificate issued
to him through his application, in addition to the provisions of the
said Article, the provisions of the following items shall apply:
(1) The registration certificate shall be delivered through the mayor
or head of the city, town or village wherein the new place of residence
is located;
(2) In case the mayor or head of the city, town or village, wherein the
new place of residence is located, deems it necessary, he may change
the period which the mayor or head of the city, town or village,
wherein the former place of residence was located, has designated under
Article 5, Paragraph 2 (including those cases wherein 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;
(3) In case the mayor or head of the city, town or village wherein the
former place of residence is located has received the request made
under the provision of the preceding Article, Paragraph 4, he shall
forward promptly the registration certificate to be delivered to the
alien concerned to the mayor or head of the city, town or village
wherein the new place of residence is located.
(Registration of Change in Matters Registered other than Place of
Residence)
Article 9.
In case any change has taken place in the matters of Items (3), (6),
(9), (13), (14) or (20) of Article 4, Paragraph 1 registered in the
registration card of an alien (except for the cases mentioned 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 wherein
the alien resides for the registration of the change in such matters
registered by submitting a written application for registration of the
change and documents proving such change within fourteen days of the
day whereon such change has taken place.
2. In case any change has taken place in the matters of Items (7),
(10), (11) or from (16) to (19) of Article 4, Paragraph 1 registered in
the registration card of an alien, the alien shall apply to the mayor
or head of the city, town or village wherein he resides, for the
registration of the change in such matters registered, by submitting a
written application for registration of the change and documents
proving such change by the time of the next application concerned with
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, whereon such change has taken place.
3. When the alien files the application provided for in Paragraph 1 of
the preceding paragraph (except for the cases of changes provided for
in Items (18) and (19) of Article 4, Paragraph 1), he shall submit the
registration certificate which he carries, unless otherwise he is
obliged to apply for the exchange of registration certificate by virtue
of 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 shall
register the amendments of that application concerned on the
registration card of the alien concerned. In this case, if the
application mentioned in Paragraph 1 has been concerned with the change
in the status of residence as a permanent resident or special permanent
resident as provided for in Item (13) 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 (9) and (20) of the same paragraph.
5. The provisions of Article 8, Paragraph 7 shall apply mutatis
mutandis in cases wherein the application provided for in Paragraph 1
has been made.
Article 9-2.
In the case of a change taking place as provided for in Items (13) and
(14) 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
wherein he resides for registration of the changes of Items (13) and
(14) of the same paragraph, and registration of those matters specified
in Items (9) and (20) of the same paragraph by submitting a written
application for registration of the change and documents proving the
change, within fourteen days of the day whereon such change has taken
place.
2. When the alien files the application provided for in the preceding
paragraph, he shall submit the registration certificate which he
carries, unless he is obliged to apply for issuance of a new
registration certificate in exchange of the previously issued one by
virtue of 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 of Items
(13) and (14) of Article 4, Paragraph 1 and register those matters
specified in Items (9) and (20) 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 shall carry out
registration of the changes of Items (13) and (14) of Article 4,
Paragraph 1 and registration of those matters specified in Items (9)
and (20) 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 wherein the application provided for in Paragraph 1
has been made.
Article 9-3.
In the case of a less-than-one-year resident 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
wherein he resides for registration of the changes of Item (13) or
(14), Article 4, Paragraph 1, and registration of those matters
specified in Items (18) and (19) of the same Paragraph by submitting a
written application for registration of the change and documents
proving the change, within fourteen days of the day whereon the change
in the status of residence or the extension of the period of stay has
taken place.
2. When the alien files the application provided for in the preceding
paragraph, he shall submit the registration certificate which he
carries, unless he is obliged to apply for the exchange registration
certificate by virtue of 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 shall register
the changes of Item (13) or (14) of Article 4, Paragraph 1 and register
those matters specified in Items (18) and (19) of the same paragraph on
the registration card of the alien concerned. In the case of the
application under Paragraph 1 concerning the change of status of
residence in Item (13) 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 (9) and (20)
in the same paragraph.
4. The provisions of Paragraph 7 of Article 8 shall apply mutatis
mutandis in cases wherein the application provided for in Paragraph 1
has been made.
(Registration of Change Attendant upon Abolition, Creation, Division or
Amalgamation of City, Town or Village or Prefecture)
Article 10.
The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in case
matters entered in the registration card have come to not correspond
with the actual facts as a result of the abolition, creation, division
of amalgamation, alteration of the boundary or change of the name of
the city, town or 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
case the alien having the place of residence within the area of such
city, town or village has submitted a registration certificate having
the entry of facts not corresponding with the actual facts resultant
from the causes provided for in the preceding paragraph, express the
amendment in such registration certificate, unless he orders to apply
for the exchange issuance of the registration certificate by virtue of
Article 6-2, Paragraph 2.
(Correction of Registration)
Article 10-2.
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 has come to know
that the entries made in the registration card do not correspond with
the actual facts, correct such entries.
2. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village may, in
case he has made the correction under the preceding paragraph, order
the alien concerned to submit the registration certificate which he
carries, unless he orders to apply for the exchange issuance of
registration certificate by virtue of 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 express the amendment in such
registration certificate and return the same to the alien concerned.
(Issuance of Registration Certificate for Renewal)
Article 11.
The alien shall apply to the mayor or the head of the city, town or
village wherein he resides, within thirty days of the fifth anniversary
(in the case of the alien being a permanent resident or a special
permanent resident on the day whereon the initial or other registration
was made, it shall be the seventh anniversary) of the alien's birthday
(in case his birthday is February 29, it shall be regarded as February
28), as commencing from the year whereon the registration under Article
4, Paragraph 1 (in case the confirmation has been done 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 whereon
the initial or other registration was made.), by submitting the
documents and photographs specified in the following items, for
confirmation of whether the entry of the registration card corresponds
with the actual facts. However, this shall not apply to the alien who
was less than sixteen years of age on the day when the application
under Article 3, Paragraph 1 was made (in case the alien has ever made
an application under Article 6, Paragraph 1, Article 6-2, Paragraph 1
or 2, or Article 7, Paragraph 1 on the day whereon he made such
application):
(1) One application for confirmation of matters registered;
(2) Passport;
(3) Two photographs
2. The alien who is provided for in the provision of the proviso of the
preceding paragraph shall apply for confirmation under the preceding
paragraph wherein he resides within thirty days of the day of his
having become sixteen years.
3. Despite the provision of Paragraph 1, in respect to the alien whose
status falls under one of the following items at the time of the
registration (in case the confirmation has been made, this means the
latest confirmation) mentioned in Paragraph 1, the duration for the
application for confirmation under Paragraph 1 shall be within thirty
days from the date whereon the mayor of the city or the head of the
town or village has designated (between 1 year and 5 years), in
accordance with the Ministry of Justice Ordinance.
(1) Those whose status of residence is not confirmed;
(2) Those whose signature according to the provision under Article 14-2
has not been written.
4. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall, in
case he has confirmed based on the application under Paragraph 1 or 2,
issue a new registration certificate according to the registration card.
5. The provision of Article 5, Paragraph 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis
in the case of the preceding paragraph.
6. When the alien receives the registration certificate under the
provision of Paragraph 4, he shall return the registration certificate
he carries to the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village.
However in case the alien concerned receives the registration
certificate delivered through his proxy by virtue of Article 15,
Paragraph 3, he may return the old registration certificate within
fourteen days since receiving the new certificate.
7. In case 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 may not issue the registration certificate under the provision of
Article 6, Paragraph 4, Article 6-2, Paragraph 5 or Article 7,
Paragraph 4, in exchange for, or for the purpose of reissuance of, the
registration certificate issued to the alien concerned prior to the
above issuance.
8. In case 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 case the alien has recovered the registration certificate which
had lost its validity under the preceding paragraph after he has
received the registration certificate issued to him under Paragraph 4,
he shall promptly return the registration certificate recovered to the
mayor or the head of the city, town or village wherein he resides.
10. The provision of Article 6, Paragraph 7 shall apply mutatis
mutandis in the case wherein the application has been made under
Paragraph 1 or 2.
(Return of Registration Certificate)
Article 12.
In case the alien leaves Japan (except for when he leaves Japan with
the re-entry permission provided for in Article 26 of the Immigration
Control Act, or he leaves Japan with the Refugee Travel Document under
Article 61-2-6 of the Immigration Control Act), he shall return his
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 entry or departure provided for in the Immigration Control Act) at
which he departs from Japan.
2. In case the alien has ceased to be an alien, he shall return his
registration certificate to the mayor or head of the city, town or
village wherein he resides within fourteen days of the day whereon he
ceases to be an alien.
3. In case the alien 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 of their specifying, return the deceased
alien's registration certificate to the mayor or head of the city, town
or village in which he used to reside within fourteen days of his
death. However, in case the place of residence of the alien is
different from the place of his death, the registration certificate may
be returned to the mayor or head of the city, town or village of the
place of residence through the mayor or head of the city, town or
village of the place of his death.
(Receipt, Carrying and Presentation of Registration Certificate)
Article 13.
The alien shall receive the registration certificate issued or returned
to him by the mayor of the city or the head of town or village, and
carry it with him at all times. However, the alien under the age of
sixteen years shall not be required to carry his registration
certificate with him.
2. The alien shall present his 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 the 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 duties.
3. In case the official mentioned in the preceding paragraph requests
the presentation of the registration certificate in a place other than
his office, he shall carry with him the identification card showing his
official status and present it upon request.
(Signature)
Article 14.
In case the alien, who is sixteen years of age or over (excluding
less-than-one-year resident), 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 shall affix his signature on the registration card
and signature card at the time of submitting the application form for
application under those provisions. However, this provision shall not
apply in the case where the application has been made by his proxy in
accordance with Article 15, Paragraph 2, or if the alien cannot affix
his signature at the time of submitting the application form for
application under those provisions.
2. In the case of a less-than-one-year resident, who is sixteen years
of age or over, making an application under Article 9-3, Paragraph 1,
he shall affix his signature on the registration card at the time of
submitting the application form for application under that provision.
However, this provision shall not apply in cases where the application
has been made by a proxy in accordance with Article 15, Paragraph 2, or
if the alien cannot affix his signature at the time of submitting the
application form for application under that provision.
3. The method of affixing one's signature and other necessary matters
concerning the signature in the preceding two paragraphs, shall be
prescribed by Cabinet Order.
4. The mayor of the city or the head of the town or village shall
transfer and reprint the signature affixed on the registration card or
signature card at the time of the application, for the issuance of the
registration certificate in accordance with Paragraph 1 or 2 to the
registration certificate to be delivered in pursuant to the provisions
of Article 5, Paragraph 1, Article 6, Paragraph 4, Article 6-2,
Paragraph 5, Article 7, Paragraph 4 or Article 11, Paragraph 4.
Article 15.
The application, receipt or submission of the registration certificate
and signature, which are provided for in this Law, shall be performed
by the alien by appearing in person in the municipal office of the
city, town or village concerned.
2. In case the alien is under the age of sixteen years or in case he is
unable to make an application or perform the receipt or submission of
the registration certificate in person by reason of disease 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 he is 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 case 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:
(1) Spouse;
(2) Child;
(3) Father or Mother;
(4) Relative other than those specified in the preceding items;
(5) 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 by virtue of 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, without prejudice to Paragraph
1 and the former 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 (1) through (3) in the
preceding paragraph (excluding any person under the age of sixteen
years).
(Investigation into Fact)
Article 15-2.
In case 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,
if he has sufficient reason to suspect that the matters contained in
the application are contrary to the facts, he shall commission his
staff member to investigate into the facts for the sake of the accurate
enforcement of the registration of the alien. In this case he may
summon the alien who has made the application concerned, if he deems it
necessary.
2. The staff member of the city, town or village may question the alien
who has made the application concerned or any other person concerned or
request him to present documents, if it is deemed necessary for the
investigation provided for in the preceding paragraph.
3. In case the staff member of the city, town or village performs the
acts mentioned in the preceding paragraph out of the office of the
city, town or village, he shall carry with him an identification card
showing his official status and present the same upon the request of
the alien who has made the application concerned or other persons
concerned.
(Exemption of the Application of the Administrative Procedure Law)
Article 15-3.
Chapters II and III of the Administrative Procedure Law (Law No.88 of
1993) are not applied to an administrative measure under this law.
(Report of Registration of Change)
Article 16.
In case the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village has
carried out the registration of change under the provision 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 shall report to
that effect to the Minister of Justice.
(Classification of Business)
Article 16-2.
The business which the mayor of the city or the head of the town or
village performs in accordance with the provisions of this law shall be
classified as Type 1 of the statutory entrusted functions defined in
Article 2, Paragraph 9, Item (1) of the Local Autonomy Law.
(Delegation to Cabinet Order, etc.)
Article 17.
Excluding the case as otherwise provided in this Law, the@procedures
for the enforcement of this Law and other necessary detailed
regulations for execution shall be prescribed by the Ministry of
Justice Ordinance (by Cabinet Order in respect of the work which should
be done by the mayor of the city or the head of the town or village).
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(Penal Provisions)
Article 18.
Any person who comes under any one of the following items shall be
punished with penal servitude or imprisonment for a period not
exceeding one year or be punished with a fine not exceeding two hundred
thousand yen:
(1) Any person who, in violation of the provision 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;
(1)-2 Any person who fails to apply in accordance with Article 6-2,
Paragraph 1;
(2) 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 cases provided for
in Article 15, Paragraph 2 or 3);
(3) 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 cases provided for in Article 15, Paragraph 2 or 3);
(4) Any person who violates the provision of Article 3, Paragraph 4;
(5) 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 obeyance to the order provided for in the
said paragraphs (including the application and presentation in the
cases provided for in Article 15, Paragraph 2);
(6) 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 cases provided for in Article 15, Paragraphs 2 and 3),
(7) Any person who, in violation of the provision of Article 13,
Paragraph 2, refuses to present the registration certificate;
(8) Any person who, in violation of the provision of Article 14-2,
fails to affix his signature or prevents one from affixing signature;
(9) Any person who used a registration certificate bearing the name of
any other person;
(10) Any person who transfers or lends his 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 for his own use.
2. Any person who commits any of the offenses mentioned in the
preceding paragraph may be punished with either penal servitude and a
fine or imprisonment and a fine.
Article 18-2.
Any person who comes under any one of the following items shall be
punished with a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand yen:
(1) Any person who violates the provision of Article 7, Paragraph 7,
Article 11, Paragraph 6 or 9 or Article 12, Paragraph 1 or 2;
(2) Any person who, in violation of the provision 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
prescribed in those said paragraphs;
(3) Any person who makes a false application with respect to the
application provided for in Article 9, Paragraph 2 (including the
application in the cases provided for in Article 15, Paragraph 2 or 3);
(4) Any person, excluding a special permanent resident, who, in
violation of the provision of Article 13, Paragraph 1, fails to carry
with him 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 the registration
certificate, shall be punished with a fine not exceeding one hundred
thousand yen.
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 provision 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 provision
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
liable to a non-penal fine not exceeding fifty thousand yen. The same
shall apply to the person who fails to return the registration
certificate in violation of the provision of the main part of Article
12, Paragraph 3.
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 with a fine not exceeding fifty thousand yen.
(Court Having Jurisdiction to Make Decisions on Non-Penal Fines)
Article 20.
The decision upon the imposition of non-penal fine prescribed in the
preceding paragraphs shall be rendered by the summary court.
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