According to data obtained from the Immigration Bureau, Ministry of Justice, the number of new foreign nationals entering Japan reached a record high in1999at3,959,621,up by291,808from the previous year. Meanwhile,3,861,248foreigners left Japan in1999(excluding those permitted to re-enter), up by313,664from the previous year.
  By nationality(including regions), new foreign entrants in1999mostly came from Taiwan(22.8%), followed by South Korea(21.1%)and the U. S. A. (16.0%). By status,92.9%of them came under the"short stay"status, primarily for sightseeing.
  251,697illegal aliens were estimated to be residing in Japan as of January1,2000. The number has been in a downward trend since reaching a record high(298,646)on May1,1993.