The Japanese government is currently exploring the use of digital vaccine passports, which it is expected to roll out later this year. Jackson Sogo is skeptical that vaccination will be required as a requirement of re-entry for Japanese nationals but thinks there is a good possibility the Japanese government may require it of foreign nationals,…
Read moreJapanese Immigration Compliance – Confirming legal residence and appropriate residence status for foreign nationals
Japanese employers are required to check the residence status of any new or lateral foreign hires to confirm that they are (i) residing in Japan legally, and(ii) have the appropriate residence status to engage in the proposed work activities for the employer and have an ongoing duty to continuously monitor and confirm legal residence and…
Read moreVaccine passports coming to Japan
Japanese Immigration has announced that Japan will be rolling out a vaccine passport to facilitate international travel. The passport, which can be applied for at your local ward or municipal office beginning July 26th, will indicate the date and type of your covid vaccination but, unlike earlier media reports, will not include information on any…
Read moreJapan Immigration Update
Continued PCR testing at border (including for those vaccinated against covid-19) Travelers to Japan should note that: a negative PCR test is required 72 hours before your flight and after arrival; you will be subject to a 2 week quarantine after entering Japan; and you may not use public transportation during that 2 week period….
Read moreJapanese MOFA: No fixed date for allowing new entrants into Japan under residence and business tracks
Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Toshimitsu Motegi, explained at a press conference yesterday that Japan has not yet made a decision on whether new entrants will be permitted into Japan under the residence or business tracks after the current state of emergency is lifted and that the decision will be made based on the state…
Read moreFurther extensions for some Certificates of Eligibility (COEs) announced by Japanese Immigration Bureau
The Japanese Immigration Bureau has announced further extensions for the validity of some certificates of eligibility (COEs) issued during the pandemic. Generally, COEs are valid for three months from the date of issuance. This means that, in general, a person who fails to enter Japan within three months of the issuance date of a COE…
Read moreJeff Jackson elected as Treasurer of ACCJ Chubu and named Co-Chair of ACCJ Chubu’s Independent Business Committee
Effective January 1, 2021, Jeff Jackson, the founder and managing partner of Jackson Sogo, was installed as Treasurer of the ACCJ Chubu Chapter and Co-Chair of the ACCJ Chubu Chapter’s Independent Business Committee. Through these positions, Jackson Sogo will continue to seek out ways to support the initiatives and goals of the ACCJ as well…
Read moreJackson Sogo delivers presentation on changes to the Japanese Civil Code at the ACCJ
On December 9th, Jeff Jackson, the founder and managing partner of Jackson Sogo, delivered a presentation before the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) on recent changes to the Japanese Civil Code. The presentation is the first in a series covering changes to Japanese laws of interest to business owners and managers in Japan….
Read moreCaution re participation in political rallies and demonstrations
Foreigners in Japan considering participating in political rallies and demonstrations should understand that Japanese Immigration has the power to refuse an application for a visa (new, renewal or otherwise) from an applicant based on their participation in a political rally or demonstration alone and has done so in the past.
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