[Niyusu]

From the Japan Times:

The Japanese government signed off on a bill Friday for overhauling the immigration system. The bill is an attempt to prevent illegal entry in Japan by handing full control of alien registration to the central government, and would also create a five year visa for those legally in Japan.

The bill proposes that the government take charge of the act of issuing registration cards (sometimes known as a "gaijin card") to foreigners living in Japan more than three months. The bill would also extend the maximum period of stay for foreign residents to five years, in principle, instead of three.

Full Article: Bill on immigration overhaul OK'd | Japan Times