Status of Residence: “Journalist”

Status of Residence: “Journalist (Houdou 報道)”

This status of residence was established to accept journalists, photographers, etc. sent by foreign media organizations.

Scope of Activities Covered by the Status of Residence: Journalist

The lower column of the “Journalist” section of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, Appendix Table 1-1, stipulates the following activities that can be undertaken in Japan.

Journalistic activities such as reporting based on a contract with a foreign media organization.

Specifically, the following people are covered by this category, and include those who conduct interviews and other journalistic activities based on contracts with foreign media organizations.

  1. Those who are employed by a foreign media organization and have been dispatched to Japan to conduct journalistic activities on behalf of that organization
  2. Freelance journalists who do not belong to a specific media organization and who have concluded a contract with a foreign media organization to conduct journalistic activities on behalf of that organization

Points to consider when assessing the “Journalist” status of residence

A. When determining the status of residence (New Application at the first time)

The purpose of entry and desired status of residence on the application form must be “Journalist”, and the activities must fall under the “Journalist” status of residence based on the place of work on the application form, the media organization with which the applicant has a contract, the applicant’s work history and job description, and the supporting documents.

The salary or remuneration indicated in the application form and the supporting documents must be sufficient to cover the applicant’s activities in Japan during the period of stay for which he/she is applying for the status of residence of “Journalist”.

If the applicant does not belong to any organization, the “For Organization” to fill in section should be completed by the applicant (the same applies when applying for an extension of period of stay).

B. At the time of extension of period of stay (Visa Extension)

The activities must continue to fall under the status of residence of “Journalist” based on the information provided in the “Place of Employment” and “Job Description” sections of the application form and the supporting documents.

The salary and remuneration section of the application form, as well as the certificate of residence tax taxation (or tax exemption) and tax payment certificate, must show that the remuneration is sufficient for the applicant to engage in activities under the status of residence of “Journalist” during the period in which he/she plans to work in Japan.

Notes on the “Journalist” status of residence

“Foreign news organizations” refers to organizations with the purpose of reporting, such as newspapers, news agencies, broadcasting stations, and newsreel companies, etc., that have their headquarters in foreign countries.

* News organizations do not have to be private or government (public) owned.

The term “news gathering and other journalistic activities” is an example, and includes all activities necessary for reporting, such as filming, editing, and broadcasting, as well as news gathering to inform the public about events in society. Specifically, this includes activities as a newspaper reporter, magazine reporter, report writer, chief editor, editor, news photographer, assistant news photographer, radio announcer, and television announcer. However, activities that are not related to news reporting (for example, activities related to the production of entertainment TV programs) are not included.

In order for the status of residence of “Journalist” to be granted, it is necessary for the applicant to engage in activities that fall under the status of residence of “Journalist” in Japan and to be able to earn a stable and sufficient income through such activities to enable them to reside in Japan on a continuous basis.

Accompanying athletes and other people for short-term reporting activities falls under the status of residence “Temporary Visitor”.

Please note that even if you are planning to engage in such activities under the visa exemption arrangement, if you are from a country that is not covered by the visa exemption arrangement (e.g. the United States), you will need a visa.

Even if you are dispatched by a foreign news organization, your activities related to TV program production may fall under a different status of residence, such as “Entertainer” (興行), rather than “Journalist”.

Even if your activities are related to journalism, if you are working in Japan under a contract with a news organization whose headquarters is in your home country, your activities do not fall under the status of residence “Journalist”.

If the activities you are engaged in require knowledge of the humanities, such as sociology, political science, or economic theory, you will be eligible for the “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” (技術・人文知識・国際業務) status of residence.

Period of stay for the “Journalist” status of residence

5 years

You must meet all of the following conditions 1), 2), and 5), and also meet either 3) or 4);

  1. The applicant has fulfilled their notification obligations under the Immigration Control Act (notification of place of residence, notification of change of place of residence, etc.) (this does not apply when determining the period of stay upon landing)
  2. In the case of a parent with school-age children (meaning the period of compulsory education), the children are attending elementary school or junior high school (including so-called international schools, etc.) (this does not apply when determining the period of stay upon landing)
  3. Those who fall under Category 1 (employed by a foreign news organization that employs a person issued a foreign press registration card 外国記者登録証 (Gaikoku Kisya Tourokusyo) by a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson)
  4. In cases other than 3., those who have been granted a period of stay of 3 years under the status of residence of “Journalist” and have been continuously engaged in activities corresponding to the status of residence of “Journalist” for 5 years or more in Japan
  5. Those whose planned period of employment exceeds 3 years

3 years

Those who fall under any of the following;

  1. Those who fall under any of the following
    • a. Those who fall under both 1) and 2) of “5 years” and also fall under either 3) or 4)
    • b. Those whose planned period of employment exceeds 1 year but is within 3 years
  2. Those who have been granted a period of stay of 5 years and who, at the time of extension of their period of stay, fall under any of the following
    • a. Those who do not fall under either 1) or 2) of “5 years” and who fall under either 3) or 4)
    • b. Those whose expected period of employment exceeds 1 year
  3. Those who do not fall under any of “5 years”, “1 year” or “3 months”

1 year

Those who fall under any of the following;

  1. Those who have been granted a period of stay of 3 years and do not fall under either 1) or 2) of “5 years” when renewing their period of stay
  2. Those whose status of residence needs to be confirmed once a year due to their position, work experience, or the work experience of the organization to which they belong
  3. Those whose planned period of employment is 1 year or less

3 months

Those whose planned period of employment is 3 months or less

*1 If the applicant has not fulfilled their various public obligations, including tax payments, the possibility of residence and the period of residence if permission is granted will be considered in light of the nature of the failure to fulfill these obligations.

*2 If the applicant has received a criminal punishment, the possibility of residence and the period of residence if permission is granted will be considered in light of the nature of the crime and the content of the criminal punishment.