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Designated Activities — fourth-generation Japanese descendant support programme

JapanAncestry and return

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Get your free results Read the five questions ↓

What family, citizenship, ethnic, historical or former-resident connection creates access to this route?

The route is for fourth-generation foreign nationals of Japanese descent under the Further Acceptance System.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Other route-specific conditions and current application practice are not established by this source.
  • p. 1
    Fourth-Generation Foreign Nationals of Japanese Descent

How far back can the qualifying connection extend, and what important transmission limitations exist?

The route reaches fourth-generation Japanese descendants. The official source does not state further ancestry-transmission limits for this route.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Other route-specific conditions and current application practice are not established by this source.
  • p. 1
    Fourth-Generation Foreign Nationals of Japanese Descent

What records are central to proving the lineage or historical connection?

The central records are the Koseki Tohon or Joseki Tohon (family register) of the Japanese-citizen great-grandparents; marriage certificates of great-grandparents, grandparents and parents; and birth certificates of grandparents, parents and the applicant issued in the home country (plus a certificate of recognition as a fourth-generation descendant if available).

See recorded sources
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    (1) Documents proving the individual is a Fourth-Generation Foreign National of Japanese Descent - Koseki Tohon (official copy of family register) or Joseki Tohon (complete family register) of great-grandparents (Japanese citizens) - Marriage certificates of great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents issued by institutions in the home country (foreign country)
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    - Birth certificates of grandparents, parents, and the Fourth-Generation Foreign National of Japanese Descent issued by institutions in the home country (foreign country) - Certificate of recognition for the Fourth-Generation Foreign National of Japanese Descent issued by institutions in the home country (if available)

Does the pathway result in a visa, residence permit, right of return, citizenship or another status?

The route results in the residence status "Designated Activities", for a period capped at a maximum of five years under this system.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    The period during which Fourth-Generation Foreign Nationals of Japanese Descent can reside in Japan under the "Designated Activities" residence status through this System is capped at a maximum of five years.

What application progression, residence obligations, family consequences or further citizenship/residence possibilities follow?

Stay under this system is allowed for up to five years in total. To stay beyond the period granted on entry, an extension must be applied for about three months before expiry at a regional immigration bureau. After entry, support from a Supporter must be maintained for at least a total of three years. After a total of five years under the system, a person meeting certain criteria, such as N2-level Japanese, may be eligible to change to Long Term Resident; finding employment in Japan and meeting certain conditions (such as graduating from a university in the home country), or marrying a Japanese national, may also allow a change of status. The official source does not state family consequences.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The guide does not state family consequences (whether spouse or children can accompany) for this route.
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    Fourth-Generation Foreign Nationals of Japanese Descent entering Japan under this System will be allowed to stay in Japan for up to five years.
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    If you wish to continue staying beyond the period of stay granted upon entry, you need to apply for an extension approximately three months before the expiry date at a regional immigration bureau.
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    Please note that after entering Japan, Fourth-Generation Foreign Nationals of Japanese Descent are required to maintain support from their Supporter for at least a total of three years,
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    A. If you reside in Japan for a total of five years using this System and meet certain criteria, such as achieving N2 level Japanese language proficiency, you may be eligible to change your residency status to "Long Term Resident" and continue to reside in Japan.
  • https://www.moj.go.jp/isa/content/001415779.pdf
    Furthermore, if you find employment in Japan, meet certain conditions such as graduating from a university in your home country, or marry a Japanese national 18 while residing under this System, you may be able to change your residency status and continue residing in Japan.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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