Foreign nationals arriving in Japan may soon have to answer one more question at immigration. On 29 October 2026 the Immigration Services Agency (ISA) published a draft amendment to the Enforcement Regulations of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and opened it for public comment.
What would change
Every foreign national who applies for landing must hand in the Disembarkation Card for Foreigner (Form 6, the “ED card”). It already asks for your name, date of birth and purpose of visit, plus several yes/no questions used in the landing examination.
The draft adds a new question 4. In our translation it asks: “Do you intend to comply with the laws and regulations of Japan?” (あなたは、日本の法令を遵守する意思はありますか？).
Why the government wants it
According to the ISA, the number of foreign visitors is rising and it has been pointed out that some of them, although only a part, break Japanese laws and rules. The agency says it is appropriate to check every applicant’s intention to obey the law at the landing stage before deciding whether to grant permission to land.
Timeline and how to comment
- Public comment period: 29 October – 27 November 2026 (comments must arrive by the deadline).
- Comments are accepted in Japanese only, through the e-Gov public comment page, by email or by post. No individual replies are given.
- Planned promulgation: December 2026. Planned start: January 2027.
The draft can still change after the consultation, so the final wording and start date may be different.
Why it matters
If you plan to move to Japan in 2027 as a student, worker or family member, expect this question on your arrival form. Read the card carefully and answer every question truthfully: a false answer on an immigration form can cause problems later, for example when you apply to extend your stay.
For the steps after landing, see our guide to your first 14 days in Japan.