Introduction
In July 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan implemented a significant policy change regarding residence management for foreign nationals. A new system has been introduced to proactively provide personal information about foreign nationals undergoing deportation procedures to all municipalities where they reside. This change carries important implications for foreign residents and their families, as well as for business owners and HR personnel who employ foreign workers.
This article provides a detailed examination of the background, specific content, and practical implications of this policy change from a professional perspective.
Background of the Policy Change: Why Now?
Previous System and Its Challenges
Until now, the Immigration Services Agency had provided personal information about foreign nationals undergoing deportation procedures to municipalities only with the individual’s consent. While there was a system allowing municipalities to request information without consent, its use was extremely limited.
This framework presented significant challenges. When a deportation order is issued, the individual loses their resident registration (juminhyo), making it impossible for municipalities to track the residential status of those who refused to consent to information sharing. Consequently, providing essential public services such as compulsory education and vaccinations became difficult, and cases of individuals going missing also occurred.
Growing Need for Residence Management
Japan’s foreign population has been steadily increasing, and with it, the importance of proper residence management. According to 2025 data, 7,722 foreign nationals received deportation orders, with 2,429 under provisional release and 1,546 under supervisory measures.
Cases where provisional release was revoked due to flight risk totaled 133, while supervisory measures were revoked in 60 cases—a combined total of 193 revocations. These figures clearly demonstrate the need for proper residential oversight.
Specific Content of the New System
What is “Push-Type” Information Provision?
Under the new system launched in July, the following personal information is provided monthly on a “push” basis to all municipalities where foreign nationals undergoing deportation procedures newly reside:
- Full name
- Address
- Nationality
- Date of birth
“Push-type” provision means the Immigration Services Agency proactively shares information without waiting for inquiries from municipalities. This prevents gaps or delays in information sharing.
Enhanced Accuracy Through Annual Comprehensive Lists
Additionally, to ensure no updates are missed, comprehensive lists of all foreign nationals undergoing deportation procedures residing in each municipality as of June each year are provided. By combining monthly individual notifications with annual comprehensive lists, the accuracy of information management is significantly improved.
Balance with Personal Information Protection
This policy change has been carefully designed from a privacy protection perspective. The information shared is limited to the minimum necessary for residential management and public service provision, with strict restrictions on use beyond these purposes.
Impact on Foreign Residents and Their Families
About Provisional Release and Supervisory Measures
Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, overstaying a visa or engaging in activities outside one’s status of residence makes an individual subject to deportation. However, this does not mean immediate forced repatriation. Systems exist allowing individuals to remain in Japan during review processes, departure procedures, or refugee applications.
Provisional release is a system for individuals requiring special consideration, such as those with medical conditions. While allowing residence outside detention facilities, employment is generally prohibited.
Supervisory measures allow residence outside facilities on the condition that a supervisor, such as an acquaintance, is present. While employment is also generally prohibited, it may be permitted under certain conditions.
Changes Brought by Residential Information Sharing
Under this policy change, residential information of those living in communities under provisional release or supervisory measures is automatically shared with municipalities.
While this might be perceived as enhanced surveillance, it also has the positive aspect of improving access to necessary public services. Access to essential services such as children’s compulsory education, vaccinations, and health consultations may improve.
Importance of Residence Status Management
This policy change indicates that residence status management has become more stringent. Managing visa expiration dates and adhering to permitted activity scopes has become more important than ever.
Overstaying or engaging in unauthorized activities leads to deportation and significantly impacts future re-entry possibilities. If you have concerns about your residence status, consulting an expert early is advisable.
What Business Owners and HR Personnel Should Know
Importance of Residence Status Management in Employing Foreign Workers
For companies employing foreign nationals, residence status management is fundamental to legal compliance and directly impacts corporate credibility.
While this policy change directly targets foreign nationals undergoing deportation procedures, in a broader context, it should be viewed as a signal that overall residence management for foreign nationals is becoming more stringent.
Verification Points During Hiring
When hiring foreign nationals, the following points must be verified:
- Type of residence status: Whether employment is permitted under that status
- Working hour restrictions: Students, for example, are limited to 28 hours per week
- Occupational restrictions: Some residence statuses limit eligible occupations
- Visa expiration date: Whether the deadline is approaching and renewal plans
Ongoing Monitoring System
Beyond verification at hiring, ongoing monitoring is crucial:
- Visa expiration management: Track renewal dates and notify employees in advance
- Job description verification: Ensure actual duties match the original employment contract
- Prevention of unauthorized activities: Verify that side jobs don’t constitute unauthorized activities
Risk Management for Unforeseen Circumstances
It’s advisable to establish policies in advance on how the company will respond if an employee becomes subject to deportation procedures.
There are penalties for facilitating illegal employment, and ignorance is no excuse. Companies that employ foreign nationals without verifying their residence status may face prosecution.
Collaboration with Experts
Laws regarding residence status are complex and frequently revised. Rather than handling everything internally, we recommend establishing a system for collaboration with specialists such as immigration lawyers (gyoseishoshi).
Regular in-house training and establishing consultation channels for questions can significantly reduce risks.
Significance of the Policy Change and Future Outlook
Toward a Symbiotic Local Community
This policy change is not merely about enhanced control. It has dual purposes: creating an environment where foreign nationals can live with peace of mind in local communities while also achieving proper residence management.
By enabling municipalities to grasp residential situations, it’s expected that providing necessary services will become easier and community integration will proceed more smoothly.
Future Direction of Residence Management
Against the backdrop of Japan’s labor shortage, the acceptance of foreign talent will continue to expand. At the same time, the importance of proper residence management will also increase.
Various initiatives are expected to advance, including efficiency improvements in residence management through digital technology and strengthened collaboration among municipalities, companies, and specialists.
What We Can Do
Foreign residents should accurately understand their residence status and maintain strict deadline management. If you have questions, consult an expert early.
Business owners and HR personnel should view residence status management not merely as a compliance task but as part of creating an environment where foreign employees can work with peace of mind, and actively engage with it.
And we, as immigration specialists, have a responsibility to accurately understand policy changes and continue providing our clients with accurate information and appropriate advice.
Conclusion
The system of automatic provision of information about foreign nationals undergoing deportation procedures to municipalities, which began in July 2026, represents a new phase in residence management.
While this change makes it easier to grasp the residential situations of foreign nationals in local communities and provide necessary services, it also indicates stricter residence status management.
For foreign residents, their families, and companies employing foreign workers, proper residence status management has become more important than ever.
If you have concerns about visa applications or residence status, please consult with a specialist. Proper procedures and information management lead to secure living and business operations.
Reference article: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/328e6de49bdaf4fc1bc81b3f4c799d253b2e56b4
