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In response to the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake that occurred on July 28, 2026, the Immigration Services Agency is implementing special measures for residence procedures for affected foreign nationals. The key point is that there are three special measures, each with a different deadline. The expiration date for the Period of Stay and other related periods will be extended until January 27, 2027, and the notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act will be deferred until November 27, 2026. However, the periods for Re-entry Permits and Permission for Activities Outside Status of Residence will not be extended. This article clarifies the eligible individuals, content, and deadlines for both foreign nationals themselves and HR professionals at companies.
The normal approach to when to file an Application for Extension of Period of Stay is explained in “When to File an Application for Extension of Period of Stay”, and how to check the Period of Stay on the new design Residence Card is explained in “How to Check the Period of Stay on the New Design Residence Card”. Please refer to both.
The special measures announced by the Immigration Services Agency are broadly divided into three categories. First, grasp the overall picture.
| Content of Special Measure | Deadline |
|---|---|
| ① Extension of expiration dates for Period of Stay, Residence Card validity, etc. | Extended until January 27, 2027 |
| ② Deferral of fulfillment of obligations stipulated in the Immigration Control Act, etc. (non-fulfillment will not be treated disadvantageously) | Fulfillment is sufficient by November 27, 2026 |
| ③ Special Permission for Activities Outside Status of Residence for those unable to engage in their original activities due to disaster | 3 months from the date of permission (maximum until January 27, 2027) |
Confusing the three deadlines could lead to issues. ① is January 27, 2027; ② is November 27, 2026; and ③ is 3 months from the date of permission. Please note that ② is the earliest deadline.
The basis for these special measures is the Cabinet Order (Reiwa 8 Cabinet Order No. 260) designating the disaster caused by the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake as a Specific Extraordinary Disaster. This Cabinet Order was promulgated and enforced on August 7, 2026, and as a result, various measures based on the “Act on Special Measures for Preserving the Rights and Interests of Victims of Specific Extraordinary Disasters” (Heisei 8 Act No. 85; hereinafter, the Special Measures Act) became applicable.
The criteria for determining eligibility for the special measures are the municipalities to which the Disaster Relief Act was applied and the reference date of July 28, 2026.
According to the announcement by Kumamoto Prefecture, the application date of the Disaster Relief Act is July 28, Reiwa 8, and the eligible areas are 10 cities, 10 towns, and 1 village (21 municipalities) within Kumamoto Prefecture. The breakdown is as follows:
Regarding Kumamoto City, its application was decided separately from the other 20 municipalities. Since eligible municipalities may be added later, please check Kumamoto Prefecture’s latest announcements to confirm if your municipality is covered.
Whether an extension of the expiration date can be granted is determined by whether the individual was located in or had a place of residence in an area to which the Disaster Relief Act was applied as of July 28, 2026.
The criteria are based on the situation at the time of the disaster, not your current place of residence.
This point is very important in practice. Therefore, even those who were affected in Kumamoto Prefecture and subsequently evacuated to other prefectures, including Miyazaki Prefecture, may be eligible if they meet the reference date requirement.
Pursuant to Ministry of Justice Public Notice No. 69 and Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare Public Notice No. 6, both promulgated and enforced on August 7, 2026, for the following periods and validity periods expiring by January 26, 2027, the expiration date has been extended until January 27, 2027.
| Subject | Main Eligible Individuals |
|---|---|
| Period of Stay | Individuals who possessed a Status of Residence and were staying in Japan as of July 28, 2026 (including Temporary Visitors) |
| Period of Stay without Landing Permission | Individuals residing in Japan without undergoing Landing procedures due to renunciation of Japanese nationality, birth, etc. |
| Validity Period of Residence Card | Individuals who possessed a Residence Card as of the same date (including those within a special exemption period) |
| Validity Period of Special Permanent Resident Certificate | Individuals who possessed the said certificate |
| Validity Period of Registration for Registered Support Organizations | Registered Support Organizations with a domicile or office location in an area to which the Disaster Relief Act was applied |
| Validity Period of Permission for Supervising Organizations | Supervising Organizations with a domicile or office location for conducting supervisory business in an area to which the Disaster Relief Act was applied |
In all cases, the requirement is to have a location or place of residence (for businesses, address or office location) within the area covered by the Disaster Relief Act.
This extension is stipulated by public notice, and no guidance has been provided requiring eligible individuals to file individual applications or notifications. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact your nearest regional Immigration Services Agency office.
For HR Professionals at Companies: The two items at the bottom of the table that are easily overlooked are the registration of Registered Support Organizations and the permission for Supervising Organizations. Not only the Period of Stay for individual employees but also the validity period of your company’s (or your contractor’s) registration/permission may be subject to extension. When rescheduling renewal procedures, please review these two items as well.
This is the most important point we want to convey in this article. Even if your Period of Stay is extended, the following two items will not be extended.
These are not subject to the extension measures based on Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Special Measures Act. Therefore, even if your Period of Stay is extended, the expiration dates for your Re-entry Permit period and Permission for Activities Outside Status of Residence period remain unchanged. If you continue to require them, you will need to re-apply.
You must avoid a situation where you depart thinking, “My Period of Stay has been extended until January 27, 2027, so I’m safe,” only to find that your Re-entry Permit has expired. Please consider the extension of the Period of Stay and the validity period of the permit as separate matters.
There is another important point directly related to daily life. The Immigration Services Agency is making adjustments in response to these extension measures, and has announced that, with the exception of some applications, it will not be possible to grant permission for the issuance of new Residence Cards, etc., even if you appear at a regional Immigration Services Bureau for this purpose. They state that a new announcement will be made once permission can be granted.
In other words, the extension of the expiration date and the receipt of a new Residence Card are separate matters. The expiration date printed on your current card will not be rewritten to the extended date. Therefore, at service counters such as financial institutions and mobile phone companies that check the card’s expiration date, it is anticipated that you will need to explain the extension by public notice. We recommend saving the Immigration Services Agency’s public announcement page so you can explain it at the counter.
Based on Article 4, Paragraph 1 of the Special Measures Act, if it is recognized that it was difficult to fulfill obligations stipulated in the Immigration Control Act, etc., due to the effects of the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake, it has been decided that no disadvantageous treatment will be imposed for non-fulfillment if those obligations are fulfilled by November 27, 2026.
A list of 25 items of applicable obligations is provided in the attachment. The main ones are as follows:
Among the three deadlines, November 27, 2026, is the earliest. Notifications of place of residence and notifications regarding affiliated organizations are procedures that are easily overlooked and can pass their deadline while one plans to address them after things settle down. Please conduct an early review once recovery prospects are clear.
For those who are unable to work at their original workplace due to the disaster, a special measure to grant Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence is being implemented. For HR professionals at companies, this is an important option when considering the continued employment of their employees.
Individuals who meet all of the following conditions are eligible.
The “certain period” referred to here is defined as not exceeding three months. In other words, this special measure is a temporary arrangement based on the premise of returning to the affiliated organization. Please note that this system is not intended for job changes.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Scope of Activities | Operating a business with income or engaging in activities for remuneration, within 8 hours per day (excluding engagement in adult entertainment businesses, etc.) |
| Expiration of Permission | Three months from the date of permission. However, if the permission expires beyond January 27, 2027, that date will be the expiration date. |
| Re-permission | If there are unavoidable circumstances making it difficult to resume activities at the original affiliated organization, such as the restoration work of the business premises not being completed, it is possible to receive re-permission. |
In principle, applications are to be made by personal appearance at the nearest regional Immigration Services Agency office, but if personal appearance is difficult, applications by mail or FAX by the applicant themselves or their affiliated organization are also possible. For Technical Intern Trainees, supervising organizations are included as affiliated organizations, and for Specified Skilled Workers, Registered Support Organizations are included. If you wish to apply by FAX, please confirm the FAX number with the receiving office.
The required documents are as follows:
Apart from the system itself, consideration for disaster victims has also been shown regarding the operation of procedures.
For those who were unable to apply within their Period of Stay due to the disaster, it is stated that procedures will be handled individually, even if the Period of Stay has expired, for the time being. Do not give up just because the deadline has passed; please consult your nearest Immigration Services Agency office first.
Those who have temporarily moved or evacuated from their original place of residence due to the disaster can apply at the Immigration Services Agency office that has jurisdiction over their current place of stay.
For those who have evacuated to Miyazaki Prefecture, the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau has jurisdiction. This does not mean that procedures cannot be completed unless you return to Kumamoto.
A free temporary consultation session was held for foreign nationals affected by the disaster. The session on August 30, 2026 has already ended; the details are kept below for reference.
| Date and Time | August 30, 2026 (Sunday) 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| Location | Hikawa Town Hall (642 Shimaji, Hikawa-cho, Yatsushiro-gun, Kumamoto Prefecture) |
| Organizers/Co-organizers | Organizers: Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto International Association / Co-organizers: Hikawa Town, Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Organization for Technical Intern Training (OTIT), and others |
| Target Audience | Foreign residents in Hikawa Town and Yatsushiro City areas, representatives of companies accepting foreign nationals, etc. |
| Consultation Topics | General consultation, Status of Residence and application procedures, administrative procedures such as applications for disaster victim certificates and disaster victim support, housing consultations, etc. |
| Available Languages | Japanese, English, Chinese, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Spanish |
For inquiries regarding this consultation session, the Fukuoka Regional Immigration Services Bureau, Examination Management Division, Residence Support Section (Phone: 092-717-7595) is provided as the contact. Leaflets for the consultation session are available in Japanese, English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Tagalog.
Regarding the special provisions for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence, the Immigration Services Agency has also published an Easy Japanese version of the guidance. For employees who find explanations in Japanese difficult, sharing these materials will help them understand.
Q1. Is any application required to receive the extension of the expiration date?
A. This extension is stipulated by public notice, and no guidance has been provided requiring eligible individuals to submit individual applications or notifications. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please contact your nearest regional Immigration Services Agency office.
Q2. I was affected by the disaster while staying under Temporary Visitor status. Am I eligible?
A. It is stated that Temporary Visitor is also included in the scope of Period of Stay extensions. Please confirm whether you meet the requirements, such as being located in an area covered by the Disaster Relief Act as of July 28, 2026.
Q3. I am currently evacuated outside Kumamoto Prefecture. Will I be excluded from the special provisions?
A. The criteria for determining the extension of the expiration date is your location or place of residence as of July 28, 2026. Even if your current place of residence has changed due to evacuation, you may still be eligible if you meet the requirements for the reference date. Applications can also be made at the Immigration Services Agency office that has jurisdiction over your current place of stay.
Q4. Since my Period of Stay has been extended, is it okay to return to my home country once and then re-enter Japan?
A. The period of the Re-entry Permit is not subject to extension. Even if your Period of Stay is extended, the expiration date of your Re-entry Permit will not be extended. Therefore, please check the validity period before departing Japan and re-apply if necessary.
Q5. What happens if my workplace is not restored even after three months under the special provisions for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence?
A. If there are unavoidable circumstances, such as the restoration work of the business premises not being completed, making it difficult to resume work at the original affiliated organization, it is possible to obtain Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence again. However, the maximum permission period is January 27, 2027.
Q6. I lost my Residence Card. The reissuance notification will be past the deadline.
A. The reissuance of a Residence Card due to loss or other reasons is included as one of the 25 items for which the fulfillment of obligations is deferred. If fulfilled by November 27, 2026, no disadvantageous treatment will be imposed for non-fulfillment. However, please also be aware that the issuance of new Residence Cards itself is currently restricted for the time being.
The special provisions for residence procedures accompanying the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake consist of three pillars: extension of the expiration date (January 27, 2027), deferment of obligation fulfillment (November 27, 2026), and special provisions for Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence (three months from the date of permission). The three deadlines are different, and the earliest one to arrive is the deadline for deferment of obligation fulfillment.
Furthermore, the fact that the periods for Re-entry Permits and Permission to Engage in Activity Other than that Permitted under the Status of Residence are not extended, and that new Residence Cards will not be issued for the time being, are practical pitfalls. Maintaining the legality of residence and proceeding with daily procedures as usual are separate issues.
The applicability of the system varies depending on the place of residence at the time of the disaster, the type of Status of Residence, and the validity period of the permission you hold. If you are unsure, please consult an expert or your nearest Immigration Services Agency office as soon as possible.
In addition, regarding the Immigration Services Fee for those affected by the disaster, the Immigration Services Agency published a further notice on September 7, 2026. Even though expiration dates have been extended, the dividing line for fees remains September 30 — explained in Immigration Services Fee for Disaster Victims | September 30 is the Turning Point.
Our office accepts consultations from both foreign nationals and accepting companies, based on the latest system trends.
Please feel free to use our free consultation service.
📩 Contact us here
📞 To book a phone consultation: 0985-68-0851
Before you submit, let us take a look.
Free Immigration Pre-Submission Check ›
For those who will apply for a status of residence at the Immigration Services Bureau by themselves. Before you submit, we check your application form and supporting documents and tell you about any missing documents and points to watch. We accept checks online (Google Meet, about 20 minutes) or via LINE.
・Eligible: applications for a Certificate of Eligibility, change of status of residence and extension of period of stay (applications for permanent residence are accepted only from residents of Miyazaki Prefecture). Naturalization is not covered.
・Online (Google Meet): once per application. Replies via LINE: available for the same application until you submit it.
・Our guideline for replies via LINE is, in principle, within 2 business days (we are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; replies may take longer when we are busy).
・Please send copies of your documents by LINE or email. For your residence card, send the front side only; please do not send the side showing your My Number.
・What we tell you is our office’s opinion. It does not guarantee approval; the outcome depends on the decision of the Immigration Services Bureau.
・We only point out missing documents and points to watch. We do not prepare or rewrite your application documents for you or draft text for them, and we do not tell you whether your application is likely to be approved (if you would like to engage us, we will introduce the Self-Prep Course, the Light Plan and the Standard Plan).
・If we find that a document contains information that is not true, or that the application is not your own (or a family member’s), we will decline the check.
This article is written based on publicly available information as of August 2026. Details of the system and implementation dates are subject to change in the future. For actual applications, please refer to the official information from the Immigration Services Agency or contact our office.
Author of this article: Administrative Scrivener Authorized to File Applications, Satoshi Nakayama
Representative, Administrative Scrivener Corporation Miyazaki International Legal Office
Location: Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture
