Japan's Immigration Services Agency wants foreign nationals to say, on the form they hand to an immigration inspector, whether they intend to comply with Japanese law. The agency opened a public comment period on 29 October 2026 on a draft Ministry of Justice ordinance that would add the question.
What the form would ask
Under the enforcement regulations of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, a foreign national applying to land must submit one copy of the foreign entry record to an immigration inspector. The form already collects name, date of birth and purpose of travel, along with other questions needed for landing examination.
The draft adds a new item 4. The front of the form would carry the heading "whether there is a willingness to comply with Japanese laws and regulations". The reverse would ask: "Are you willing to comply with Japanese laws and regulations?" The draft ordinance also revises two further forms, but the text of the draft names only the form numbers.
The agency's rationale
The agency says the number of foreign visitors is rising. It adds that, although the behaviour involves only some foreign nationals, there have been claims of conduct that departs from Japanese law and rules. Against that background, it says it is appropriate to confirm comprehensively, at the landing-application stage, whether a person intends to comply, and then decide whether to permit landing.
The documents describe the change as a form amendment. The overview does not say how an answer would be weighed in a landing decision.
Timetable and how to comment
The agency plans to promulgate the ordinance in December 2026 and bring it into force in January 2027. Both dates are plans, not decisions.
Comments are accepted from 29 October to 27 November 2026, and must arrive by the deadline. The e-Gov portal lists the reception cut-off as 0:00 on 28 November. Submissions can go through e-Gov, by email to the agency's Counsellor's Office (Sanjikanshitsu) or by post to the agency in Kasumigaseki, Tokyo. Comments must be in Japanese and give reasons. Individuals must include contact details, and companies must give their name and address. The agency says it will not reply to individual comments.
The ordinance is made under Article 6, paragraph 2 and Article 14-2, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. The draft carries the name of Justice Minister Takashi Yamashita.