cards,149 but this does not automatically imply that they are legally stateless. I have already mentioned that officials sometimes use the word stateless to mean that nationality is unknown. If it is confirmed that non-Japanese defectors were born to a Japanese parent, they can go through simplified naturalization procedures. Examples have been reported in the media.150 Resident Koreans151 After World War II, Koreans constitute the largest ethnic minority in Japan. Although their number is decreasing year by year, the alien registration number of North and South Koreans combined as of the end of 2007 is 598,219, or 28.7% of aliens. This tops Chinese at 26.9% and Brazilians at 15.0%.152 All Koreans, including those residing in Japan, lost their Japanese nationality and became aliens when the San Francisco Peace Treaty came into effect on April 28, 1952 (Justice Ministry Civil Affairs Bureau Notice CO438: Concerning the disposition of nationality and family register matters regarding Chosenese, Taiwanese, and others, associated with the effectuation of the Treaty of Peace). However, Law No. 126 (the Law concerning measures for various Ministry of Foreign Affairs related ordinances based on matters concerning ordinances issued in conjunction with the acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration) assured their right to reside in Japan until a determination was made with respect to their residence status and term. In 1965, a new permanent residence status for Resident Koreans was established by the Agreement between Japan and the Republic of Korea concerning the legal status and treatment of nationals of the Republic of Korea residing in Japan (zainichi kankokujin). Moreover, Supplementary Provision 7 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act enacted to implement the Refugee Convention provided for special cases for permanent residence permission. This measure improved the residence status 149 For example, in a press conference with the Justice Minister on June 12, 2007, mention was made of a report that there were 24 dappokusya living in Japan as stateless. A question was also raised about a substantial number of dappokusya registered under the Alien Registration Law as stateless persons. 150 Yomiuri Shimbun July 27, 2007. 151 See generally, Kim Dong-Hag, “Zainichichousenjin no houtekichii shakaiteki shomonndai (Legal Status and Social Problems of Resident Koreans)”in Zainichichousenjin no rekishi to bunnka (History and Culture of Resident Koreans) (2006). Let me acknowledge with appreciation Mr. Kim’s generous response to my direct inquires into the legal status of resident Koreans. 152 Ministry of Justice Immigration Bureau ed., Heisei 19 nendoban shutsunyukoku kanri (Yearbook of Immigration Control, 2007), p.21. ・ 55