The new and “improved” Japan entry/exit record

With the changes in the immigration and alien registration system that went into effect from July 9, all applicants for naturalization are now required to obtain and submit their 入出国記録 {nyūshukkoku kiroku} (Japan entry/exit record) with full disclosure of all the information in their 外国人入出国記録マスタファイル {gaikokujin nyūshukkoku kiroku masuta fairu} (alien entry/exit master file). This master file covers all periods during which the individual has been present in Japan, not only for the current consecutive stay, but also for any previous visits. In addition to the record of entries/exits, here are some examples of the information that a typical individual’s record might contain:
  1. Date and port of original entry, 在留資格 {zairyū shikaku} (status of residence) granted at entry (often referred to in the vernacular as“type of visa”), 在留期限 {zairyū kigen} (date of status expiration)
  2. Date of 外国人登録 {gaikokujin tōroku} (alien registration), Alien Registration Card No., and information on card (name, sex, date of birth, nationality, occupation)
  3. Any changes in status of residence, with date/location of application/approval
  4. All 在留期限更新 {zairyū kigen} (extensions of status expiration (often referred to as “visa renewal”), with date/location of application/approval
  5. Renewals of Alien Registration Card
  6. Any changes in information on Alien Registration Card
  7. Dates and type (single or multiple) of all 再入国許可 {sainyūkoku kyoka} (re-entry permits; this information is only available from 1998 onward)
Of course there also are the dates and ports of exit/entry for all exits/entries made on a re-entry permit. And there are other possible items less likely to apply to most foreign residents, such as refugee status.

The longer and more complicated an individual’s history is, the greater the chance that some information might be missing. I found two exits/entries made on re-entry permits missing from my file. However, the file does provide a good overview of someone’s immigration and alien resident records, and certainly should be useful to the 法務局 {hōmukyoku} (Legal Affairs Bureau) when reviewing an application for naturalization. At a low fee of ¥300, it might be interesting for any foreign resident in Japan to see what’s in their file even if they're not applying for naturalization.

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