Originally Posted by
5khours
Spent 40 years in Japan. Never been asked for a passport. And if they want to hassle you, the law still says "Passport" not "legal identification."
I'm going to be that guy for a min, though it's pretty well documented they can hassle you any time and legally can ask you to show your identification. The law says Passport, but also defines that a passport includes the TTP card (which the MOJ/MOFA authorizes to replace it):
Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
Article 2(v)The term "passport" means any of the following documents:
(a) A passport, a refugee travel document or any other certificate in lieu of the passport (including a travel certificate issued by a Japanese consular officer) issued by the Japanese Government, a foreign government recognized by the Japanese Government or any authorized international organization.
(b)A document which is equivalent to one of the documents listed in (a), issued by any authorized organization of the region as provided for by Cabinet Order.
then the actual requirement:
Article 23(2) The foreign national set forth in the preceding paragraph shall present his/her passport, crew member's pocket-ledger or permit (hereinafter referred to as "Passport" in this Article) as set forth in the same paragraph to an immigration inspector, immigration control officer, police official, coast guard officer or any other official of a state or local public entity as provided for by Ordinance of the Ministry of Justice, if such official requests the presentation of the Passport in the execution of his/her duties.
I have no interest in telling you how do your thing in Japan, but for other people, TTP is fully authorized legally to carry instead of passport, no different than a zairyu card, and I don't want any problems that could come with being caught not carrying it, easier just to have the card in my wallet.