One of the minimum conditions foreign workers hope for in Japan is obtaining a status of residence that allows them to live with their families. Many foreign nationals come to Japan with longer-term goals such as working, living, marrying, having children, and raising a family here.

Negative images of foreign workers persist due to issues such as crime, illegal employment, and disappearances, yet some foreign nationals also come to Japan with clear purposes.

In response to concerns such as deteriorating public safety linked to increases in foreign workers and immigration issues, immigration law maintains a strict system, imposing demanding conditions on foreign nationals who aim for permanent residence in Japan.

Among existing statuses of residence, those that permit family accompaniment are limited, and the conditions are difficult; in the case of unskilled workers, entry is restricted to coming alone.

The current government policy is not to allow family accompaniment for unskilled workers, who tend to be less economically stable, while allowing it for highly skilled talent with technical expertise.

The movement of technical intern trainees and Specified Skilled Workers is treated as acceptance of workers, and the social infrastructure for accepting foreign workers and their families as immigrants over the long term remains undeveloped. At present, family accompaniment is not permitted for technical intern trainees or Specified Skilled Worker (i).

While Japan is rushing to secure labor amid a severe workforce shortage, consideration of human rights protections for foreign workers and whether to allow family accompaniment has been insufficient. This stems from the Japanese government’s continued lack of clarity on immigration policy.

Considering the advantages of more readily accepting immigrants—helping resolve Japan’s labor shortages—and the disadvantages that can arise in a society of coexistence with foreign nationals, such as worsening public safety and higher social costs, a cautious policy is intended to protect Japanese citizens. Measures for foreign workers have been postponed; while this is unreasonable, it is the current reality.

As more industries become unable to function without foreign workers, everyone involved needs to actively discuss how to engage with foreign workers in workplaces and local communities, acceptance frameworks and the immigration law system, and the public’s readiness if accepting foreign workers and their families effectively leads to immigration—along with challenges posed by all such changes.

●Statuses of Residence That Allow Family Accompaniment

Currently, the statuses of residence that permit family accompaniment are Dependent, Specified Skilled Worker (ii), and Designated Activities. The following explains each status. Family accompaniment is not permitted under Technical Intern Training or Specified Skilled Worker (i).

〇About the Status of Residence “Dependent”

※This status of residence is granted to the spouse and children of a foreign national who holds any of the statuses of residence listed below. Relatives (parents, siblings, etc.) are not included.
※Statuses of residence that allow Dependent status

Professor / Artist / Religious Activities / Journalist / Highly Skilled Professional / Business Manager / Legal/Accounting Services / Medical Services / Researcher / Instructor / Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services / Intra-company Transferee / Nursing Care / Entertainer / Skilled Labor / Cultural Activities / Student

http://www.moj.go.jp/isa/applications/procedures/zairyu_nintei10_19.html

※Source: Ministry of Justice website

For spouses under Dependent status, obtaining “permission to engage in activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted” allows part-time work of up to 28 hours.

〇Family Accompaniment under Specified Skilled Worker (ii)

The Specified Skilled Worker status of residence comprises Specified Skilled Worker (i) and Specified Skilled Worker (ii).

Under Specified Skilled Worker, created by the 2019 amendment to the Immigration Control Act, there is an upper limit on the period of stay; after five years, transition to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) makes family accompaniment and permanent residence possible. However, the eligible industries are limited to only two: construction / shipbuilding and ship machinery.
※Permanent residence
In principle, the person must have resided in Japan for 10 years or more, including five years under a work or residence status.

Specified Skilled Worker (i)
・Having the knowledge, experience, and required skill level in 14 fields
・Period of stay is a maximum of 5 years in total.
・Renewal periods are 1 year, 6 months, or 4 months
・Change to Specified Skilled Worker (ii) is possible
・Family accompaniment is not permitted
・Job changes are possible

Specified Skilled Worker (ii)
・Having a proficient skill level in the two fields of construction / shipbuilding and ship machinery
・No upper limit on the period of stay
・Renewal periods are 3 years, 1 year, or 6 months
・Permanent residence is also possible
・Family accompaniment is permitted

〇In the Case of Designated Activities

This is a status of residence permitted by the Ministry of Justice when classification under other statuses is not possible. The Ministry of Justice defines it as “activities specifically designated by the Minister of Justice for individual foreign nationals.” When Designated Activities is granted, exceptions may be recognized under conditions similar to Dependent status.

As an exception, when an international student transitions to Specified Skilled Worker (i), the student’s dependents may continue to reside under Dependent status. In addition, those dependents need to obtain the Designated Activities status of residence.
※As of the end of 2020, according to the Ministry of Justice website, the total number of foreign nationals residing in Japan was 2,887,116, of whom 196,622 held Dependent status.