noun
special permission to stay in Japan
A legal status granted at the discretion of the Minister of Justice to foreign nationals who would otherwise be subject to deportation, such as visa overstayers or those without valid residence status. It allows them to remain in Japan legally under specified conditions.
不法滞在者が在留特別許可を申請するケースが増えている。
Cases of illegal immigrants applying for special permission to stay are increasing.
在留特別許可が下りれば、正式に日本で生活できる。
If special permission to stay is granted, one can live in Japan legally.
Compound of 在留 (residence, staying) + 特別 (special) + 許可 (permission). The term is a legal expression defined in Japan's Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.