There’s been some developments from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan about the conditions for the re-entry of foreign residents. This has been an issue of consternation, especially when compared to similar policies from other countries.
Yesterday, the Immigration Services Agency (under the Ministry of Justice) published the criteria that will allow certain foreign residents of Japan to re-enter; previously, Japan had a ban on 111 countries, a policy that has meant foreign residents could not return. This ban is still in place, but the special circumstances for re-entry are now clearer.
On its website, the Immigration Services Agency listed the following examples of exemption:
1. A foreign national who departed from Japan with a re-entry permit (including a special reentry permit) for a country or region before such country or region where the foreign national was staying became an area subject to denial of landing
My family is staying in Japan and we have become separated.
I departed from Japan with my child who is enrolled in a Japanese educational institution, but my child is unable to go to school.
I need to re-enter Japan for treatment at a Japanese medical institution such as surgery (including re-examination) or childbirth.
I had to depart from Japan in order to visit a relative who was in critical condition abroad or to attend the funeral of a deceased relative.
I had to depart from Japan for treatment at a foreign medical institution such as surgery (including re-examination) or childbirth.
I had to depart from Japan after receiving a summons from a foreign court to appear as a witness
2. A foreign national who departed from Japan with a re-entry permit (including a special reentry permit) for a country or region after such country or region where the foreign national was staying became an area subject to denial of landing (including cases where the foreign national intends to depart from Japan for such country or region in the future)
I had to depart from Japan in order to visit a relative who was in critical condition abroad or to attend the funeral of a deceased relative.
I had to depart from Japan for treatment at a foreign medical institution such as surgery (including re-examination) or childbirth.
I had to depart from Japan after receiving a summons from a foreign court to appear as a witness.
Here are links directly to MOJ and the Immigration Services Agency.
As of June 12, full notice, in English, see here:
It is called the Specific examples of cases where permission for re-entry may be granted due to being special exceptional circumstances corresponding to individual situation in relation to the measures for denial of landing relating to prevention of the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
As of June 12, full notice, in Japanese, see here:
For any other immigration inquiries, COE questions, change or extension of visa issues, feel free to contact us. We work with clients in the Kyoto and Kansai area.