Foreign nationals newly entering Japan had been on the rise,and increased to5,508,926(rose by18.9%from the previous year)in2004,in spite of a temporary decrease in2003(Source:Annual Report of Statistics on Immigration Control).
  Among foreign nationals newly entering Japan in2004,those from Asia accounted for more than60%,the same as in2003,followed by North America,Europe,Oceania,South America,and Africa.By nationality,those from South Korea exceeded the2003record high,reaching1,419,786persons(25.8%),followed by Taiwan with1,051,022persons(19.1%),the United States with695,337persons(12.6%),China(excluding Taiwan and Hong Kong;hereinafter the same in this subsection)with411,124persons(7.5%)(Source:Annual Report of Statistics on Immigration Control).
  Among the foreign nationals newly entered Japan in2004,"temporary visitors"for sightseeing,etc.,were the majority at93.2%,followed by"entertainers"(2.4%),"trainees"(1.4%),"long term residents"(0.6%),"spouses,etc.,of Japanese nationals"(0.4%),"college students"(0.4%)and"pre-college students"(0.3%)(Source:The Immigration Bureau,Ministry of Justice).
  Alien registration has increased year by year,and registrated foreign nationals were1,973,747as of December31,2004(rose by3.1%compared to the same date of the previous year)(Source:Annual Report of Statistics on Immigration Control).
  The estimated number of foreign nationals who illegally stay in Japan continued to decrease after a peak at298,646on May1,1993to207,299as of January1,2005(decreased by5.5%compared to the same date of the previous year).By nationality,South Korea had the largest share at20.8%,followed by China at15.8%and the Philippines at14.8%(Source:The Immigration Bureau,Ministry of Justice).
  In order to decrease foreign nationals who illegally stay in Japan,the Amendment Law to the Immigration Control Law(Law No.73of2004;the part concerning illegal residents was enforced in December2004)significantly raised the upper limit of fines for illegal entry,revised the period to reject landing,and newly established the departure order system and the resident status revocation system.Furthermore,the Amendment Law to the Immigration Control Law in2005(Law No.66of2005;the part concerning criminal punishment was enforced in July2005)raised the upper limit of fines for supporting illegal entry for profit and newly established offenses of illegal acquisition of passports,etc.