The new residency management system is applied to mid- to long-term foreign nationals in Japan with legal status of residence, designed to keep the Minister of Justice updated with their residential status. An eligible person will be issued with a residence card (see Q11, Q46) with a photo containing basic identification matters such as name, status of residence and period of stay. When the new system goes into effect, as keep-tracking of foreign nationals’ residency status will be more accurate than ever, maximum period of stay will be extended from 3 years to 5 years (see Q146), and a special re-entry permit system (see Q154) will be introduced allowing foreign nationals to leave and re-enter Japan within 1 year of departure without getting the re-entry permit. In addition, the alien registration system will be abolished once the new residency management system goes into effect.