The immigration law was changed a lot in 1990 and since then the law, as well as enforcement regulations and judgement standards, have also been changed. This time the changes to the immigration law have not yet been approved by the Diet, but the Ministry of Justice is now preparing the changes which will then be submitted to the Diet. So, sooner or later it will go into effect.

According to the contents of the law, a ?deportation order regulation? will be newly instituted. If overstayers go voluntarily to the immigration office and say they would like to go home, they can do so by following a set of easy procedures. Until now, even if they bring their tickets, sometimes it takes a long time. Under the new system, a ?deportation order notice? will be issued a few days after the officers? judgement has been issued, and applicants allowed to leave Japan within 15 days.

Until now, the refusal of re-entry period for those deported for overstaying and other reasons has been at least five years. The new law will reduce this period by one year, but the period for malicious illegal overstayers will be extended to 10 years. Furthermore, the fine for working illegally will be raised from 300,000 yen to 3,000,000 yen .