Article 1The purpose of this Act is to establish fair control over foreign nationals residing in Japan by clarifying matters pertaining to their residence and status and through the enforcement of the registration of those foreign nationals.

Article 2(1)The term "foreign national" as used in this Act means a person who does not have Japanese nationality, other than a person who has been granted permission for provisional landing, permission for landing at a port of call, permission for landing in transit, landing permission for crew members, permission for emergency landing or landing permission due to distress as provided for in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (Cabinet Order No. 319 of 1951; hereinafter referred to as the "Immigration Control Act").

(2)A person who has two or more nationalities other than Japanese nationality is deemed, for the purpose of this Act, as having the nationality of the country to which the last issuing authority of the person's passport (meaning the passport provided for in Article 2, item (v) of the Immigration Control Act; the same applies hereinafter) belongs.

Article 3(1)All foreign nationals in Japan apply for registration with the head of a municipality (in the case of Tokyo, areas that have special wards, or in the case of cities designated in Article 252-19, paragraph (1) of the Local Autonomy Act (Act No. 67 of 1947), ward; the same applies hereinafter) in which their residence is located, submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items, within 90 days of the date of landing in cases where the foreign national has entered Japan (except for cases where a foreign national who departed from Japan with re-entry permission under Article 26 of the Immigration Control Act re-enters Japan and cases where a foreign national who departed from Japan with refugee travel documentation under Article 61-2-12 of the Immigration Control Act enters Japan possessing the subject refugee travel document) or within 60 days of the date of becoming a foreign national or the day of their birth or the occurrence of other relevant causes in cases where they have become foreign nationals while in Japan or when they come to stay in Japan without following the procedure for landing provided for in Chapter III of the Immigration Control Act due to birth or other causes:

(2)In the case of the application under the preceding paragraph, a person under the age of sixteen years is not required to submit photographs.

(3)If the head of a municipality finds unavoidable circumstances exist in the case of the application provided for in paragraph (1), the head may extend the time period prescribed in the same paragraph for a period not exceeding 60 days.

(4)Where a foreign national has filed the application provided for in paragraph (1), they may not once again make the application provided for under the same paragraph.

Article 4(1)The head of a municipality must, in cases where an application has been made under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, register, on the alien registration card (hereinafter referred to as a "registration card"), the following matters regarding the foreign national, and keep the card at the offices of a municipality; provided, however, that when the foreign national is a permanent resident specified in the left-hand column of the Appended Table 2 of the Immigration Control Act (hereinafter referred to as a "permanent resident") or a special permanent resident as provided for in the Special Act on the Immigration Control of, Inter Alios, Those Who Have Lost Japanese Nationality on the Basis of the Treaty of Peace with Japan (Act No.71 of 1991, hereinafter referred to as the "Special Act on Immigration Control") (hereinafter referred to as a "special permanent resident"), is not required to register the matters listed in items (ix) and (xx) on the registration card, while those whose period of stay has been prescribed to be less than one year under the provisions of the Immigration Control Act and who is currently within such period (excluding a foreign national who, as a result of an extension of the period of stay or a change in the status of residence, has been granted permission to stay in Japan for one year or more, calculated from the commencement of the initial period of stay; hereinafter referred to as a "resident of less than one year") is not required to register the matters listed in item (xviii) and (xix) on the registration card.

(2)The head of a municipality must, in cases where they have carried out the registration provided in the preceding paragraph, prepare a copy of the registration card concerned and send it to the Minister of Justice.

Article 4-2While the registration cards are in the safekeeping of the office of a municipality, the head of the municipality takes necessary measures for appropriate management of the registration cards to prevent the divulgation, loss or damage of registration data.

Article 4-3(1)The head of a municipality must not disclose the registration cards, except in cases where a request has been made under the provisions of the following paragraph (2) to (5) or any other laws.

(2)A foreign national may request the head of the municipality to issue a copy of the registration card or a certificate containing the registered matters on the registration card (hereinafter referred to as "certificate of registered matters") of the foreign national.

(3)A representative of the foreign national or a cohabiting relative (including a person in a de facto marital relationship without registering a marriage with the foreign national; the same applies hereinafter) may request the head of a municipality to issue a copy of the registration card or a certificate of registered matters.

(4)When a national government organ or local public entity finds it necessary to utilize the facts recorded on a registration card in order to perform their duties prescribed by laws, the organ or entity may request the head of a municipality to issue a copy of the registration card or a certificate of registered matters.

(5)When attorneys or other persons prescribed by Cabinet Order finds it necessary to utilize the facts recorded on a registration card to perform a procedure or duties prescribed by laws, they may request the head of a municipality for issuance of a certificate of registered matters; provided, however, that disclosure of registered matters other than those provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (iii) to (vii), and items (xv) to (xvii) are limited to cases where there is a special need for disclosure.

(6)The requests provided in the preceding three paragraphs must contain the reason for the request and make other matters clear as provided for in the Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 5(1)The head of a municipality must, when they have carried out the registration provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), prepare an alien registration certificate (hereinafter referred to as "registration certificate") containing a statement of the matters specified in the items of the paragraph (except items (xviii) and (xix)) with respect to the foreign national and issue the registration certificate to the person that made the request.

(2)In the case referred to in the preceding paragraph, when the registration certificate cannot be issued on the spot because of an investigation concerning the request provided in Article 3, paragraph (1) or any other unavoidable administrative reasons, the head of a municipality may designate a period for its issuance in writing and issue the certificate within the period in accordance with the provisions of the Ministry of Justice Order.

Article 6(1)A foreign national may, in cases where their registration certificate has been noticeably damaged or soiled, apply for the issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for that certificate, by submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items accompanied by the registration certificate to the head of the municipality where they reside:

(2)In the case of the application under the preceding paragraph, a person under the age of sixteen years is not required to submit photographs.

(3)In cases where the head of a municipality has received the application under paragraph (1), the head must confirm whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts.

(4)The head of a municipality must, in cases where they have made the confirmation set forth in the preceding paragraph, issue a new registration certificate based on the registration card.

(5)The provisions of paragraph (2) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis in the case of the preceding paragraph.

(6)The head of a municipality may order a foreign national who carries a noticeably damaged or soiled registration certificate to return it and to make the application under paragraph (1).

(7)In cases where the head of a municipality has received the application provided for in paragraph (1), the head may make a new registration card by rewriting the registration card of the foreign national.

Article 6-2(1)When a foreign national requests a registration of change in the previously registered matters under Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), or Article 9-3, paragraph (1), and there is no remaining space on the registration certificate possessed by the foreign national to register the changes in accordance with Article 8, paragraph (3), Article 9, paragraph (3), Article 9-2, paragraph (2), or Article 9-3, paragraph (2), or when the registration of change concerns any item provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (iii) or (vi), the foreign national must return the registration certificate they possess, and at the same time submit the following documents and photographs and apply for issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for the previously issued one:

(2)The head of a municipality, in cases where a foreign national submits a registration certificate whose entries do not correspond to the facts because of the registration of changes under Article 10, paragraph (1) and there is no remaining space on the registration certificate to register the changes in accordance with Article 10, paragraph (2), or in cases where the foreign national has corrected the entries in the registration card in accordance with Article 10-2, paragraph (1) and there is no remaining space on the registration certificate possessed by the foreign national to register the corrections in accordance with Article 10-2, paragraph (3), or where the correction concerns any matter provided in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (iii),(iv),(v) or (vi), is to order the foreign national to return the registration certificate they possess, and at the same time submit the following documents and photographs and apply for issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for the previously issued one.

(3)In the case of the application provided in the preceding two paragraphs, a person under the age of sixteen years is not required to submit photographs.

(4)Where the head of a municipality has received the application under paragraph (1) or 2, the head must confirm whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts.

(5)The head of a municipality must, in cases where they have made the confirmation set forth in the preceding paragraph, issue a new registration certificate based on the registration card.

(6)The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (2) and paragraph (7) of the preceding Article apply mutatis mutandis to the application under paragraph (1) or (2).

Article 7(1)In cases where an foreign national has lost their registration certificate due to loss, robbery, or destruction, the foreign national must apply for reissuance of the registration certificate, by submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items to the head of the municipality where they reside within 14 days of the date upon which they became aware of the fact. The same applies to cases where a foreign national who departed from Japan with the re-entry permission under Article 26 of the Immigration Control Act re-entered Japan or a foreign national who departed from Japan with the refugee travel document under Article 61-2-12 of the Immigration Control Act entered Japan with the refugee travel document without possessing their registration certificate for reasons other than loss, robbery or destruction:

(2)In the case of the application under the preceding paragraph, a person under the age of sixteen years is not required to submit photographs.

(3)In cases where the head of a municipality has received the application under paragraph (1), the head must confirm whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts.

(4)The head of a municipality must, in cases where the head has made the confirmation set forth in the preceding paragraph, issue a new registration certificate based on the registration card.

(5)The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the case of the preceding paragraph.

(6)In cases where a registration certificate is reissued pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (4), the registration certificate which was issued to the foreign national concerned before the day of the issuance of the new registration certificate, ceases to be effective.

(7)In cases where a foreign national recovers the registration certificate which ceased to be effective pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph after the reissuance of a new registration certificate under paragraph (4), the foreign national must promptly return the registration certificate which expired to the head of a municipality where they reside.

(8)The provisions of paragraph (7) of Article 6 apply mutatis mutandis to cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 8(1)In cases where a foreign national has changed their place of residence (except for cases where the foreign national has changed to a place of residence within the same area of the municipality), the foreign national must apply for registration of a change in the place of residence by submitting a written application for registration of the change to the head of the municipality in which the new residence is located within 14 days of the date of moving to the new place of residence.

(2)In cases where a foreign national has changed their place of residence within the same area of the municipality, the foreign national must apply for registration of a change in the place of residence by submitting a written application for registration of the change to the head of that municipality within 14 days of the date of moving to the new place of residence.

(3)When a foreign national files the application provided for in paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph, the foreign national must submit the registration certificate which they possess, unless they need to apply for the issuance of an exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1) at the same time.In this case the head of the municipality must enter an amendment of the place of residence in the registration certificate and return the certificate to the foreign national.

(4)In cases where the head of a municipality has received the application under paragraph (1), the head must make a request promptly to the head of the municipality in which the former place of residence of the foreign national is located to send the registration card concerning the foreign national.

(5)In cases where the head of a municipality has received the request provided for in the preceding paragraph, the head must promptly send the registration card of the foreign national concerned to the head of the municipality that has made the request.

(6)In cases where the head of a municipality has received the application under paragraph (2) or received the registration card under the preceding paragraph, the head must carry out registration of the change in the place of residence in the registration card of the foreign national.

(7)If the head of a municipality finds that there are unavoidable circumstances in the case of the application under paragraph (1) or 2, the head may extend the time period prescribed in the paragraphs for a period not exceeding 14 days.

Article 8-2In cases where a foreign national, who has made the application under Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), makes the application under paragraph (1) of the preceding Article before receiving the registration certificate issued to them through the application, in addition to the provisions of the preceding Article, matters prescribed in the following items apply:

Article 9(1)In cases where any change has taken place in the matters in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (iii), (vi), (ix), (xiii), (xiv) or (xx) recorded on the registration card of a foreign national (except for the cases provided in paragraph (1) of the following Article and Article 9-3, paragraph (1)), the foreign national must apply to the head of the municipality where they reside for registration of a change in the registered matters by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving the change within 14 days of the date such change took place.

(2)In cases where any change has taken place in the matters in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (vii), (x), (xi) or items (xvi) to (xix) recorded on the registration card of a foreign national, a foreign national must apply to the head of the municipality where they reside, for registration of a change in those registered matters by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving the change by the time of the first application concerned under the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), the preceding paragraph, paragraph (1) of the following Article, Article 9-3, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), after the change has taken place.

(3)When a foreign national files the application provided for in paragraph (1) or the preceding paragraph (except in the cases of changes to matters listed in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (xviii) or (xix)), the foreign national must submit the registration certificate which they possess, unless the foreign national is required to apply for the exchange of registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1) at the same time.In this case, the head of the municipality must enter the amendments of the application on the registration certificate and return the certificate to the foreign national.

(4)In the case where the head of a municipality receives an application under paragraph (1) or (2), the head must register the changes concerning the application on the registration card of the foreign national concerned.In this case, if the application prescribed in paragraph (1) concerns a change in the status of residence as a permanent resident or special permanent resident as provided for in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (xiii), the head of the municipality must delete the matters stipulated in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph.

(5)The provisions of Article 8, paragraph (7) apply mutatis mutandis to the cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 9-2(1)In the case of a change taking place as provided for in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (xiii) and (xiv), a foreign national that is registered as a permanent resident or a special permanent resident must file an application to the head of the municipality where they reside for registration of the changes of matters specified in items (xiii) and (xiv) of the same paragraph, and registration of the matters specified in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving the change, within 14 days of the date such change took place.

(2)When a foreign national files the application provided for in the preceding paragraph, the foreign national must submit the registration certificate which they possess, unless they are required to apply for issuance of a new registration certificate in exchange for the previously issued one in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1) at the same time.In this case, the head of a municipality must register the change of matters specified in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (xiii) and (xiv) and register the matters specified in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph on the registration certificate and return the certificate to the foreign national.

(3)In the case the head of a municipality receives an application under paragraph (1), the head must carry out registration of the changes in Article 4, paragraph (1), items (xiii) and (xiv) and registration of those matters specified in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph on the registration card of the foreign national concerned

(4)The provisions of Article 8, paragraph (7) apply mutatis mutandis to cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 9-3(1)In the case of a resident of less than one year who has come to be permitted to reside in Japan for one year or more counting from the time of commencement of the initial period of stay as a result of an extension of the period of stay or a change in the status of residence, the resident must file an application to the head of the municipality where they reside for registration of the changes in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (xiii) or (xiv), and registration of those matters specified in items (xviii) and (xix) of the same paragraph by submitting a written application for registration of the change and documents proving the change, within 14 days of the date of the change in the status of residence or in the period of stay took place.

(2)When a foreign national files the application provided for in the preceding paragraph, they must submit the registration certificate which they possess, unless they are required to file an application for the exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (1) at the same time.In this case, the head of a municipality must enter the amendments to the matters concerning the application in the registration certificate and return the certificate to the foreign national.

(3)In the case where the head of a municipality receives an application under paragraph (1), the head must register the changes to the matters in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (xiii) or (xiv) and register the matters specified in items (xviii) and (xix) of the same paragraph on the registration card of the foreign national concerned. In the case where the application under paragraph (1) concerns the change of status of residence as a permanent resident or a special permanent resident specified in Article 4, paragraph (1), item (xiii), the head of the municipality must remove matters specified in items (ix) and (xx) of the same paragraph.

(4)The provisions of Article 8, paragraph (7) apply mutatis mutandis to cases where the application provided for in paragraph (1) has been made.

Article 10(1)The head of a municipality must, in cases where the entries in the registration card no longer correspond to the actual facts as a result of the abolition, creation, division or merger, the boundary change or change of the name of the municipality or prefecture, register the change in the registration card.

(2)The head of a municipality must, in cases where a foreign national that has a place of residence within the area of the municipality submits a registration certificate which has entries of facts that do not correspond to the actual facts as a result of the causes provided for in the preceding paragraph, register the change in the registration certificate, unless the head orders the foreign national to apply for the issuance of an exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (2).

Article 10-2(1)Unless otherwise provided for in Article 8, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 9, paragraphs (1) and (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1) and paragraph (1) of the preceding Article, the head of a municipality must, when they have come to know that the entries in the registration card do not correspond to the actual facts, correct those entries.

(2)The head of a municipality may, in cases where they have made the correction under the preceding paragraph, order the foreign national concerned to submit the registration certificate which they possess, unless the head orders the foreign national to apply for issuance of an exchange registration certificate in accordance with Article 6-2, paragraph (2).

(3)The head of the municipality who has received the registration certificate submitted under the provisions of the preceding paragraph must enter the correction in the registration certificate and return the certificate to the foreign national concerned.

Article 11(1)A foreign national must file an application to the head of the municipality where they reside, within 30 days of the fifth anniversary (in the case of the alien being a permanent resident or a special permanent resident on the day on which registration was made, the seventh anniversary) of the foreign national's birthday (where the birthday falls on February 29, the foreign national's birthday is deemed to fall on February 28) after the day on which the registration under Article 4, paragraph (1) was made (in cases where the confirmation was made under Article 6, paragraph (3), Article 6-2, paragraph (4), or Article 7, paragraph (3), or confirmation based on the application under this paragraph or the next paragraph, (in paragraph (3), this confirmation is referred to as "the confirmation after registration") to confirm whether the entries in the registration card correspond to the actual facts by submitting the documents and photographs specified in the following items; provided, however, that this does not apply to any foreign national who was younger than sixteen years of age on the day when the application under Article 3, paragraph (1) was made (in cases where the foreign national has made an application under Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), or Article 7, paragraph (1), on the day on which such application was made):

(2)A foreign national who is stipulated in the proviso of the preceding paragraph must apply for the confirmation under the preceding paragraph within 30 days of the date of becoming sixteen years of age.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1), with respect to any foreign national whose status falls under one of the following items at the time of registration (in cases where the confirmation has been made after registration, this means the latest confirmation; the same applies in this paragraph) provided in paragraph (1), the period that the application for confirmation under paragraph (1) must be made is within 30 days from the date designated by the head of a municipality (between 1 year and 5 years), in accordance with the Ministry of Justice Order:

(4)The head of a municipality must, in cases where they have made the confirmation based on the application under paragraph (1) or (2), issue a new registration certificate based on the registration card.

(5)The provisions of Article 5, paragraph (2) apply mutatis mutandis to the case of the preceding paragraph.

(6)When a foreign national receives the registration certificate under the provisions of paragraph (4), the foreign national must return the registration certificate that they possess to the head of a municipality; provided, however that in cases where the foreign national receives the registration certificate issued through a representative in accordance with Article 15, paragraph (3), it is sufficient for the foreign national to return the old registration certificate within 14 days of receiving the new certificate.

(7)In cases where the head of a municipality has issued the registration certificate under the provision of paragraph (4), the head may not issue a registration certificate under the provision of Article 6, paragraph (4), Article 6-2, paragraph (5) or Article 7, paragraph (4), in exchange or for the purpose of reissuance of the registration certificate issued to the foreign national concerned prior to the above issuance date.

(8)In cases where the registration certificate is issued under paragraph (4), the registration certificate which has been issued to the foreign national concerned before the day of the issuance of the new registration certificate ceases to be effective.

(9)In cases where a foreign national recovers the registration certificate which expired under the provisions of the preceding paragraph after receiving the registration certificate issued to them under paragraph (4), the foreign national must promptly return the registration certificate which expired to the head of the municipality where they reside.

(10)The provisions of Article 6, paragraph (7) apply mutatis mutandis to cases where the application has been made under paragraph (1) or (2).

Article 12(1)In cases where a foreign national leaves Japan (except when a foreign national leaves Japan with the re-entry permission provided for in Article 26 of the Immigration Control Act, or leaves Japan with the refugee travel document under Article 61-2-12 of the Immigration Control Act), the foreign national must return the registration certificate to the immigration inspector (meaning the immigration inspector provided for in the Immigration Control Act; the same applies hereinafter) at the port of entry or departure (meaning the port of entry or departure provided for in the Immigration Control Act) from which they depart from Japan.

(2)In cases where a foreign national has ceased to be a foreign national, the foreign national must return the registration certificate to the head of the municipality where they reside within 14 days of the date on which they have ceased to be foreign nationals.

(3)In cases where a foreign national has died, one of the persons specified in the items of Article 15, paragraph (2) (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years) must, in the order specified, return the deceased foreign national's registration certificate to the head of the municipality in which they used to reside within 14 days of their death; provided, however, that in cases where the place of residence of the foreign national differs from the place of death, the registration certificate may be returned to the head of the municipality where they used to reside through the head of the municipality of the place of their death.

Article 13(1)A foreign national must receive the registration certificate issued or returned to them by the head of a municipality, and carry it at all times; provided, however, a foreign national under the age of sixteen years is not required to carry their registration certificate.

(2)A foreign national must present their registration certificate to the immigration inspector, immigration control officer (meaning the immigration control officer provided for in the Immigration Control Act), police official, coast guard officer or any other official of the State or local public entity prescribed by the Ministry of Justice Order, if the official requests the presentation of the registration certificate in the performance of their duties.

(3)In cases where the official provided in the preceding paragraph requests the presentation of the registration certificate in a place other than their office, the official must carry an identification card showing their official status and present it upon request.

Article 14(1)In cases where a foreign national, who is sixteen years of age or over (excluding a resident of less than one year), makes the application under Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), the foreign national must affix their signature to the registration card and signature card at the time of submitting the application form under those provisions; provided, however, that this does not apply to cases where the application has been made by a representative in accordance with Article 15, paragraph (2), or if the foreign national cannot affix their signature at the time of submitting the application form under those provisions.

(2)In the case where a resident of less than one year, who is sixteen years of age or above, files an application under Article 9-3, paragraph (1), the resident must affix their signature to the registration card at the time of submitting the application form under the provisions of Article 9-3, paragraph (1); provided, however, this does not apply to cases where the application has been made by a representative in accordance with Article 15, paragraph (2), or if the resident cannot affix their signature at the time of submitting the application form under that provision.

(3)The method of affixing one's signature and other necessary matters concerning the signature in the preceding two paragraphs are prescribed by Cabinet Order.

(4)The head of a municipality is to transfer and reprint the signature affixed to the registration card or signature card at the time of the application for issuance of the registration certificate in accordance with paragraph (1) to the registration certificate, to be issued to a foreign national pursuant to the provisions of Article 5, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (4), Article 6-2, paragraph (5), Article 7, paragraph (4) or Article 11, paragraph (4).

Article 15(1)The application, receipt or submission of the registration certificate and signature, which are provided for in this Act, must be performed by the foreign national by appearing in person in the office of a municipality concerned.

(2)In cases where a foreign national is under the age of sixteen years or in cases where a foreign national is unable to make an application or receive or submit the registration certificate in person by reason of illness or other physical impediments, the person specified in the following items and living with the foreign national (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years) in the order specified in the following items, must make the application or receive or submit the registration certificate provided for in the preceding paragraph on behalf of the person. In cases where a foreign national or the person who used to be a foreign national is under the age of sixteen years, the same applies to the return of the registration certificate under Article 7, paragraph (7) or Article 12, paragraph (1) or (2):

(3)The application in accordance with the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2) or Article 9-2, paragraph (1) and the receipt of the registration certificate under Article 5, paragraph (2) (including cases in which the provision is applied mutatis mutandis to Article 6, paragraph (5), Article 6-2, paragraph (6), Article 7, paragraph (5) and Article 11, paragraph (5)), which is to be issued during the period designated by the head of a municipality, notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (1) and the first sentence of the preceding paragraph, may be undertaken by a cohabiting relative (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years) of the foreign national concerned on behalf of the foreign national or any cohabitant who falls under any of items (i) through (iii) in the preceding paragraph (excluding any person under the age of sixteen years).

Article 15-2(1)In cases where the head of a municipality has received the application under Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2) Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1) or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), and there is sufficient reason to suspect that the matters contained in the application are contrary to the facts, the head may commission an employee to investigate the facts in order to properly implement the alien registration.In this case the head may request the foreign national who has made the application concerned to make an appearance if necessary.

(2)The employee of a municipality may question the foreign national who has made the application or any other persons concerned or request them to present documents, if it is necessary for the investigation provided for in the preceding paragraph.

(3)In cases where an employee of a municipality performs the acts provided in the preceding paragraph out of the office of the municipality, the employee must carry an identification card showing their official status and present the card upon the request of the foreign national who has made the application or other persons concerned.

Article 15-3Chapters II and III of the Administrative Procedure Act (Act No. 88 of 1993) do not apply to the administrative disposition under this Act.

Article 16In cases where the head of a municipality has carried out the registration of changes under the provisions of Article 8, paragraph (6), Article 9, paragraph (4), Article 9-2, paragraph (3), Article 9-3, paragraph (3) or Article 10, paragraph (1), the head must report to the Ministry of Justice to that effect.

Article 16-2The administration work which municipalities are to perform in accordance with the provisions of this Act is classified as Type 1 of the statutory entrusted functions provided in Article 2, paragraph (9), item (i) of the Local Autonomy Act.

Article 17Unless otherwise provided for in this Act, the procedures for enforcing this Act and other detailed regulations necessary for its enforcement are prescribed by the Ministry of Justice Order (by Cabinet Order with respect to the administration work which should be carried out by the head of a municipality).

Article 18(1)A person falling under one of the following items is punished by imprisonment with or without work for a period not exceeding 1 year or punished with a fine not exceeding 200,000 yen:

(2)Any person who commits any of the crimes proscribed in the preceding paragraph may be punished with imprisonment with or without work and a fine.

Article 18-2A person falling under one of the following items is punished by a fine not exceeding 200,000 yen:

Article 19Any special permanent resident who, in violation of the provision of Article 13, paragraph (1), fails to carry their registration certificate, is punished by a civil fine of not more than 100,000 yen.

Article 19-2If, in the cases provided for in Article 15, paragraph (2), any one of the persons specified in the items of the paragraph, in violation of the provisions of Article 3, paragraph (1), Article 6-2, paragraph (1), Article 7, paragraph (1), Article 8, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9, paragraph (1) or (2), Article 9-2, paragraph (1), Article 9-3, paragraph (1), or Article 11, paragraph (1) or (2), fails to make the application provided for in those provisions, fails to follow the order under the provisions of Article 6, paragraph (6), Article 6-2, paragraph (2), or Article 10-2, paragraph (2), fails to receive the registration certificate in violation of the provision of Article 13, paragraph (1), or fails to return the registration certificate in violation of the provision of Article 7, paragraph (7), or Article 12, paragraph (1) or (2), the person is punished by a civil fine of not more than 50,000 yen. The same applies to a person who fails to return the registration certificate in violation of the provisions of the main clause of Article 12, paragraph (3).

Article 19-3A person who is issued a copy of a registration card or a certificate of registered matters, violating the provisions of Article 4-3, paragraph (2) to (5) through deception or other wrongful means, is punished by a civil fine of not more than 50,000 yen.

Article 20The trial for the imposition of the civil fines prescribed in the preceding two Articles is conducted by the summary courts.