Article 1.

 The purpose of this Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act is to provide for equitable control over the entry into or departure from Japan of all persons and to consolidate the procedures for recognition of refugee status.

Article 2.

 The terms in the following items as used in this Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and under the orders thereof shall have such meanings as defined in each item respectively:

(1) Deleted;

(2) Alien: Any person not having Japanese nationality;

(3) Crewman: A crew member of a vessel or aircraft (hereinafter referred to as“vessel, etc.”);

(3)-2 Refugee: A refugee who falls within the provisions of Article 1 of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (hereinafter referred to as“Refugee Convention”) or the provisions of Article 1 of the Protocol Relating to the Status of Refugees;

(4) Japanese Consular Officer, etc.: A Japanese Ambassador, Minister or Consular Officer who is stationed in a foreign country;

(5) Passport: Any of the following documents:

1.  A passport, a Refugee Travel Document or any other certificate in lieu of the passport (including a Travel Certificate issued by a Japanese Consular Officer, etc.) issued by the Japanese Government, a foreign government recognized by the Japanese Government or any competent international organization;

    

2.  A document which is equivalent to the documents specified in (a), issued by any competent organization of the region to be prescribed by Cabinet Order.

    

(6) Crewman's Pocket-ledger: A mariner's pocket-ledger, or any other document equivalent thereto concerning a crewman issued by an authorized organization;

(7) Deleted;

(8) Port of entry or departure: A seaport or airport at which an alien enters or departs from Japan to be prescribed by the Ministry of Justice Ordinance;

(9) Carrier: A person who is engaged in the business of transporting persons or goods by means of a vessel, etc. between Japan and areas outside Japan;

(10) Immigration Inspector: An Immigration Inspector provided for in Article 61-3;

(11) Supervising Immigration Inspector: An Immigration Inspector of supervisory rank designated by the Minister of Justice;

(12) Special Inquiry Officer: An Immigration Inspector designated by the Minister of Justice and authorized to hold hearings;

(12)-2 Refugee Inquirer: An Immigration Inspector designated by the Minister of Justice to inquire into facts regarding a recognition of refugee status;

(13) Immigration Control Officer: An Immigration Control Officer provided for in Article 61-3-2;

(14) Investigation of violation: An investigation conducted by an Immigration Control Officer concerning cases of violation of laws or regulations for entry, landing or residence of an alien;

(15) Immigration Center: The Immigration Center provided for in Article 13 of the Ministry of Justice Establishment Law (Law No.93 of 1999);

(16) Detention House: The detention facilities provided for in Article 61-6.

Article 2-2.

 An alien may reside in Japan only under the status of residence determined by the permission for landing, the acquisition of status of residence or by the permission of any change thereof, unless Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act or other laws provide otherwise.

2.  The categories of status of residence shall be as listed in Annexed TablesIandII. An alien residing in Japan under a status of residence specified in the left-hand column of TableImay engage in the activities described in the right-hand column corresponding to that status, while an alien residing under a status of residence specified in the left-hand column of TableIImay engage in the activities of a person with the civil status or position described in the right-hand column corresponding to that status.

    

3.  The period during which an alien may reside as provided for in Paragraph 1 (hereinafter referred to as“period of stay”) shall be determined for each status of residence by the Ministry of Justice Ordinance. The period of stay for any status other than that of diplomat, official or permanent resident may not exceed 3 years.