Two Documents That Now Should Be Among the First to Request (part 2 of 2)

The second Japan document that can take considerable time to obtain is the 出入囜蚘録 {shutsunyÅ«koku kiroku} (Japan exit/entry record), and in my opinion it represents a significant new document requirement for naturalization. The 出入囜蚘録 {shutsunyÅ«koku kiroku} was previously not required, although it may have been recommended in order to complete 履歎曞（その） {rirekisho (sono ni)} which is a record of exits from Japan over a period of 5 years (or less in some cases). The purpose of 履歎曞（その） {rirekisho (sono ni)} was to verify compliance with the requirement of not having been outside Japan for longer than 100 days consecutively or 150 days cumulatively during any year within the stipulated period.

However, with revision of the alien registration system on July 9, the 法務局囜籍課 {hōmushō kokusekika} (Legal Affairs Department Nationality Section) is now requiring the full record of ALL Japan entries/exits, not only for a current period residence, but for any and all previous visits to Japan, whether as a tourist or on a previous period of residence, from the very first trip the applicant made to Japan. So I need my records from my first arrival in April 1976, covering a period of more than 36 years.

Furthermore, the instructions from the 法務局囜籍課 {hōmushō kokusekika} are to request disclosure of ALL information in the 倖囜人入出囜マスタヌファむル {gaikokujin nyÅ«shutsukoku masutā fairu} (alien entry/exit master file). While the request form prior to July 9 listed items that you might expect to be in an entry/exit record, such as name, nationality, date and port of entry, date and port of exit, etc., the new request form has a list of ‘other’ items that appear to represent every stamp that Japan has ever possibly made in the applicant’s passport, including such things as re-entry permits, residence period renewals, residence status changes, refugee recognition, temporary residence permission, alien registration, etc. The instructions from the 法務局囜籍課 {hōmushō kokusekika} are to "check all the boxes".

I had sent in my request for disclosure of my full 36-year 出入囜蚘録 {shutsunyÅ«koku kiroku} before receiving the instructions to check all these 'other items', so I called the archives in Tokyo to ask if I needed to send another request, and they transferred me to (surprise!) the Immigration Bureau, where the record search is actually being conducted. They gave me my case number and told be just to send the new checklist to append to my original request.

Why is the 法務局囜籍課 {hōmushō kokusekika} now requiring all this additional information? My impression is that they are interested in looking for anything irregular in an applicant's past history. One example might be 'revolving door' entries/exits for short-term stays that some people have used to work (illegally) in Japan as English teachers, entertainers, etc. In the past they relied on copies of "all stamped pages" of "all passports", but what if an applicant had lost one or more of their past passports? They still ask for those copies, but even though I brought my 5 passports with me when submitting my naturalization application, they did not want to look at them to verify with the copies. It would seen that there is little need to do so when they will eventually be able to examine all the records I have requested.

The 法務局囜籍課 {hōmushō kokusekika} is also providing a printout of instructions on how to request the 出入囜蚘録 {shutsunyÅ«koku kiroku}, which can be found on the MoJ's website here:


Exit/entry records for aliens are available for as far back as November 1, 1970.

If you only need records from 1997 onward, it says the search will take "2-3 weeks".

If you need records from 1993 to 1996, or if you have multiple exits/entries on 'short-stay permits' (tourist, business, etc.) the search will take "3-4 weeks".

If you need records from 1992 or earlier, it will take "at least 4 weeks".

On accepting my document submission, the clerk said "expect it to take 2 months". I don’t know if he was talking from experience based on the length of time involved in my case, or if he was just giving a very conservative estimate.

The good news is that, at least for the present time, the 法務局囜籍課 {hōmushō kokusekika} is willing to accept document submission without the 出入囜蚘録 {shutsunyÅ«koku kiroku} and have it submitted at a later date when it is received.

An application form in either MS Word or PDF format can be downloaded from a link on the indicated MoJ's website page. If sending the request by mail, as identification you need to provide a photocopy of your driver's license, health insurance card, or 圚留カヌド {zairÅ« kādo} (Residency Card; or Alien Registration Card if you are still using that), and a certified (original, dated within the past 30 days) copy of your 䜏民祚 {jÅ«minhyō} (residence record, which was previously only for Japanese citizens). Enclose a stamped sell-addressed envelop, affix 300 yen in revenue stamps for each certified copy requested, and indicate the period for which you want the records. If you're using this for a naturalization application, be sure to check all the boxes for the items requested. The 出入囜蚘録 {shutsunyÅ«koku kiroku} request can be sent together with the request for the 倖囜人登録原祚 {gaikokujin tōroku gempyō}, meaning you only have to enclose one certified copy of your 䜏民祚 {jÅ«minhyō}. You can ask to have both returned together in the same stamped self-addressed envelop (so be sure to attach sufficient postage) or enclose two (2) stamped self-addressed envelopes to have them returned separately.

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