Rosie lost her alien registration card while abroad.
"How do I re-enter Japan if I lost my alien card in the Philippines, and are there any additional requirements?" she asks.
Officially you are required to have your alien registration card with you when re-entering Japan, but in reality not everyone is asked to present the card. (See our Oct. 25, 2011, column, "To carry or not to carry your 'gaijin card' upon re-entry?" for more on this).