The Immigration Bureau said Friday that when the justice minister decides whether to grant an illegal immigrant special permission to stay, positive factors would include that the person is living with and raising school-age children who have spent "a considerable period of time" in Japan.
Undergoing treatment for a serious disease and taking care of family members receiving such treatment will also count favorably toward the granting of such a permit, according to the updated guideline, which was released Friday and will take effect Monday.
The immigration authority issues a special permit to some illegal residents to remain in Japan on humanitarian grounds, although such a permit is typically effective for only one year and has to be reissued for continued residency.