Residence Period Extension After the 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake
Overview
Following the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake, the Financial Services Agency announced a measure uniformly extending the residence period expiration dates of people whose residence is in areas of municipalities affected by the disaster where the Disaster Relief Act applies, and others, through January 27, 2027. Because residence cards still show the expiration date from before the extension, eligible people have raised concerns that their financial institution accounts might be closed. The Financial Services Agency has informed relevant industry associations.
Key points
- The notice concerns an extension of residence periods following the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake.
- The residence period expiration date for eligible people and others has been extended through January 27, 2027.
- The Financial Services Agency informed relevant industry associations about the measure.
Overview
The Financial Services Agency expressed condolences for those who died in the earthquake and sympathy for those affected, and announced a residence period extension measure based on the extent of the damage. Eligible people include those whose residence is in areas of municipalities affected by the disaster where the Disaster Relief Act applies, and others.
Impact
Because the expiration date shown on residence cards remains the date from before the extension, eligible people have raised concerns that their financial institution accounts might be closed.
Details
The measure is based on a Ministry of Justice public notice (Ministry of Justice Public Notice No. 69 of August 7, 2026) issued pursuant to Article 3, Paragraph 2 of the Act on Special Measures for the Preservation of Rights and Interests of Victims of Specified Severe Disasters (Act No. 85 of 1996). The residence period expiration date for eligible people and others has been uniformly extended through January 27, 2027.
Financial institutions manage the residence periods and other information of foreign nationals who hold accounts, based on the Guidelines for Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism and other materials. The Financial Services Agency informed relevant industry associations. Inquiries are accepted by telephone on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Financial Services User Consultation Office handles general questions about financial administration and related matters.