Originally Posted by
railroadtycoon
However, after the revision of immigration laws, from July 9, 2012, if one left Japan for trips of 1 year or less *special permanent residents have 2 years*, you do not need a re-entry permit, one is under the "special re-entry" system, and you mark the special reentry box on your exit card you give you immigration, immigration will then stamp "OUT OF THE COUNTRY ON SPECIAL RENTRY" into the passport or the card that is attached into the passport when you leave.
You still need a re-entry permit if you are a resident and want to continue your residency on return to Japan. What the new immigration act did was make it possible to apply for a re-entry permit on departure (the special re-entry permit which is basically your residence card) by ticking the box*.
This is in addition to the previous system. So a multiple entry re-entry permit application is still possible, just as before. PR get a 5 year re-entry permit and SPR get a 6 year permit.
*exit cards are being redesigned again and there will soon be 2 tick boxes for using a special re-entry permit or a sticker re-entry permit and no tick for cancelling residency.
Originally Posted by
Taiwaned
With this POST July 9, 2012 change, there is an actual residency requirement and cannot leave the country for more than 2 year (I would be under the Special Permanent program) without having to physically be back.
Residency can be maintained without being in Japan for up to 5 years (or 6 years SPR) with a sticker re-entry permit. Not sure how an absence impacts health insurance etc though.