CNBNews

The Immigration Bureau and lawmakers worked out the bills to reduce the number of undocumented foreign residence,which the bureau estimates presently to be about 110,000.

"The bills suggest the government has its sights on cracking down on all undocumented foreigners,"Said Amnesty International Japan official Sonoko Kawakami."But it remains unclear how people in a difficult situation,like those applying for refugee status,will be dealt with."

The bills will abolish the Alien Registration Act and the immigration control and resident registration laws that are now in effect presently.Responsibility for overseeing foreign residence will be shifted from municipalities to the Immigration Bureau,which will keep track of personal information, including address, visa type and expiration date ,and more pertinent information.

Currently,municipalities issue alien registration cards and provide other public services even to those who have overstayed their visas.

"Municipal officials are doing their jobs registering foreigners in compliance with the Alien Registration Act,"immigration lawyer Shogo Watanabe said,adding that local governments issue alien registration cards to over stayers with the words"no residential status" typed on the cards.

With the passage of the bills, undocumented foreigners who are not granted special permission to stay will be  detained for deportation.To prevent the deportation of over stayers with legitimate reason to reside in the country, the bills also require the Justice Ministry to clarify and announce the standards for granting special permission to stay in country.Since the year 2003, about 10,000  foreigners per year on average have been granted special permission to stay,according to the Immigration Bureau.Granting permission to stay in country is entirely the decision of the Justice Ministry. A new form of identification,called a "zairyu" (residence)card, will replace the alien registration cards,with the information on them kept by the Justice Ministry.

Foreign residents will be listed on the Juki Net resident registry network, a computer network linking municipalities that contains demographic information of Japanese residence.Visas, typically good for three years, will be extended to five years. Also, foreign residents will no longer be required to obtain re-entry if they return to Japan within a year. These permits cost about $ 30.00 U.S.for a multiple entry permit.On the other hand,the punishments for not complying or failure to report one's address and other personal information regarding assets,such as  total yearly income,ownership of  properties,Taxes paid,bank accounts and amounts saved,also any foreign income as well as retirement monies paid to you.

In order to curve fake marriages,the bills give the Justice Ministry the authority to revoke the spouse visas of those who fail to conduct"activities spouses normally do"for six months. Special consideration would be given to spouses who live separately because of mitigating circumstances, including abuse. According to the bills, the government must review the new immigration law and make necessary changes within three years of enforcement. If enacted, the new law will be enforced within three years of its announcement to the public.

I was asked by a reader who asked about the immigration law,and if Japan had a problem with illegal

Aliens,As you have just read there are about 110,000 residing in throughout Japan and its increasing daily. It has become a real problem lately.

In fact two weeks ago,I went to the city government office and received my new card for my

Permanent residents stay. I had tell all the bank accounts, and that I am a home owner what I paid for the home etc.My retirement pension that I receive from the U.S. Taxes I pay here as well as my here in Japan.As  well as all income that I receive,salary,investments etc.The Immigration Bureau are very thorough and one cannot fool them.

In a few days I'll have some more information for you all that I am still researching regarding fines and penalties if one does not follow the rules set down by the Lower and Upper Houses as well as the Immigration Bureau of Japan. It would be really great to see this system at work in the U.S.A.

Warm Regards from Sunny Kitakyushu ,City,Japan

Hank F. Miller Jr.