Due to the revision of the Immigration Control Law (Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act), which was implemented on April 1,  foreigners visiting Japan are expected to grow.
AIRA held a seminar to study about Residence Status etc. for foreigners who may visit  or live in Japan.(No.19-5)

Date and time: 14th May(Tue),2019  12:00～13:00
Venue     : Abiko Civic Plaza Meeting room No.1
Instructor: Ms.Toshiko Kikawa(AIRA member, Toshiko Kikawa Administrative Scrivener’s Office)

Due to the latest revision of the Immigration Control Law, it is expected that foreigners will start their life in Japan and will need to learn Japanese for their work. Under such circumstances, total 21 people consisting of AIRA's volunteering
Japanese teachers and some members participated in the Seminar and studied  hard. The main contents of the lecture by Ms.Kikawa were as stated below;
１.”The Residence Status” is required for the foreigners visiting Japan.   Their restriction on jobs  depends on their status.  Work is not permitted in some residence status.  Some Residence Status does not allow foreigners to get a job.
2. The “Specific Skilled”  foreigners with a certain level of expertize or experience, are allowed to stay for 5 years in 14 fields of industries such as care business, construction industry etc.  The Specific Skilled foreigners with high skills  have no limitation to their stay with their families.
3. Besides the system of the Residence Status, there is an issue of refugees. If recognized as a refugee, “ Refugee travel documents” is issued and the refugee will obtain same right as for “ the permanent resident”. In Japan, only 0.4% of the applicants have been recognized as refugees in 2018.
4.However, there are some foreigners who apply for a refugees, taking an advantage of  the current system when their residential periods are going to be expired. 
In fact, such foreigners are making use of current system that their work is allowed
until the final decision of approval or disapproval is made against their Statement
of Objection(Claim for Examination)  after their Refugees Applications were rejected.
5. It is our governmental decision whether or not the Refugees Application is accepted
whilst we shall pursue normal civic exchange without any discrimination.

 (Translated by Katsumi Nakajima)