“College student” and “Pre-college student” statuses have been integrated
into “Student” status since July 1, 2010. With this change the “Pre-College
Student” status is no longer in use, and is now covered by the “Student”
status. Foreign students studying at one of the following educational institutions
are eligible for ”Student” residence status:
1) colleges or equivalent educational institutions, specialized courses
of study at advanced vocational schools (senshugakko), educational institutions
designated for preparing persons who have completed 12 years of education
at schools in foreign countries to enter college, or technical college
(kotosenmongakko). (except for cases where the applicant is to study solely
at a night school or through correspondence courses.)
2) a night school of a course offered by a
graduate school which holds classes at the college an applicant initially
entered.
3) high schools, schools for special needs
education, a higher or general course of an advanced vocational school (senshugakkou)
or a vocational school (kakushugakkou) or any other educational institution
which is equivalent to a vocational school in its facilities and curriculum (except
for cases where the applicant studies solely at a night school or through
correspondence course.)
In addition, previously, those with a “Pre-College Student” status, were
allowed to work only four hours a day with the “Permission to Engage in
Activity Other Than That Permitted by the Status of Residence Previously
Granted”. However, with the new changes, these students are now entitled
to work 28 hours per week.
[Answer]
If you have a “Cultural Activities” visa, and intend to
study Ikebana, you must be planning on learning under the guidance of an
professional instructor.
＜Application Materials＞
（１）If the applicant is to be involved in educational or
artistic activities, or specialized research into Japanese culture:
① Materials that give an outline of the organization at
which applicant intends to study, as well as show contents and length of study.
② Documents showing educational and work history, as
well as experience related to activities to be undertaken in Japan.
③ Documents which prove applicant has sufficient funds
to support him/herself whilst in Japan.
（２）If planning on learning under the guidance of a
professional instructor, the following are required in addition to the
documents mentioned in (1)
④ Documents which show the professional history and
track record of the instructor.
Activities classified as “Cultural Activities”:
1) Unpaid study (e.g. a lecturer at a foreign
university, assistant lecturer, or speaker sent from a foreign university, to
take part in unpaid research, or postgraduate teaching)
2) Unpaid artistic activities
3) Specialized study of Japanese culture or art.
4) Specialized study of Japanese culture or art under
the guidance of a professional instructor.
In this instance, the study of Ikebana would fall under
4)