Hello, this is Kawakami of IMS.
This fall was the Rugby World Cup, and it was very exciting to watch! Watching the players give their all really made me feel that the meaning behind the "One Team" slogan. I was once again impressed by the effort needed for team sports. The international makeup of Japan's team was also wonderful to see: members of all nationalities and backgrounds were doing their best to win for Japan. What a sight!
Although Japan was defeated in the final tournament, the players invited to the field all their family members who had come to support them, and it made quite an impression on me. The child whose father was born in a different country, and yet played as a representative of Japan, must have seen their parent as a hero.
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Currently, the number of mid-to-long-term residents in Japan is increasing and has already exceeded 2.8 million. Naturally, that also means an increase in the number of foreign children who are born in Japan. Japan's continued use of the blood pedigree system (jus sanguinis) means that, in principle, if neither the father or mother are Japanese by blood, then the child will not be able to earn Japanese nationality, either.
In addition, even if both parents have appropriate statuses of residence (visas), that does not mean that the newborn child will automatically receive a status of residence. If the foreign child will stay in Japan for more than 60 days following birth, then it is necessary to apply for the appropriate status of residence. This application must be done within 30 days after the birth, though the application can be filed even if the child does not yet have a passport.
Conversely, if the child will leave Japan within 60 days after birth, then a status of residence application is not necessary. Be cautious, however, that remaining in Japan after these 60 days for any reason is considered illegal.
Even for the youngest of us, for children who are just starting their lives in Japan, the procedures for receiving a status of residence are important. We hope that your applications go smoothly and you live a long and healthy life.
