Reader JG is concerned about the changes to the Immigration Law that were passed in 2009 and are scheduled for implementation in July 2012.
According to the Immigration Bureau, the Ministry of Justice and immigration lawyers, the new law will bring about a few major changes.
First of all, the alien registration card (soon to become the "residence card") will no longer be issued at the local level. From July of next year, the Ministry of Justice will take over responsibility for the residence card.