The term “visa” is used often. A visa is a recommendation required for entry into Japan received in advance from a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad that certifies that the passport is a valid passport and that there are no impediments to allowing the passport holder to enter Japan within the scope of that visa.
On the other hand, an explanation of “Status of Residence” is as follows. Foreign nationals entering and residing in Japan must generally receive landing permission upon arriving at their port of entry, at which time their status of residence in Japan will be determined. In other words, the status of residence constitutes the grounds on which a foreign national is permitted to stay in Japan; it is a qualification enabling the foreign national to carry out the activities stipulated in the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act and to reside in Japan for the purpose of carrying out those particular activities.

They are actually different things. However, a “Status of Residence” is often called a “visa” in a general way.

What is a "Certificate of Eligibility"?

Visas are generally applied for and received at Japanese diplomatic missions abroad. However, Japanese diplomatic missions abroad may be unfamiliar with circumstances in Japan, leading to delays and other difficulties in screening applications for long-term stay visas, such as those for foreign nationals seeking to work in Japan. In light of this, the Immigration Bureau in Japan often screens these applications to determine whether or not the activities intended by the foreign national wishing to enter and reside in Japan correspond to the conditions for the visa being sought; if it is determined that these activities do in fact meet the visa conditions, a Certificate of Eligibility is issued. If this Certificate of Eligibility is presented to a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad together with a visa application, the conditions for entry/residence will ordinarily be deemed satisfied and a visa promptly issued.

What is the documentation needed when applying for a working visa with a Certificate of Eligibility?

The following documentation is generally needed when applying for a working visa at a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad after a Certificate of Eligibility has been issued:

1.	Application for visa
2.	Passport
3.	Certificate of Eligibility and its copy
4.	Full-face photograph (4.5 cm square)

Are they any procedures required after entering Japan with a working visa?

(Alien registration)

A foreign national needs to apply for alien registration at the municipal office in the city, ward, town or village in which they reside within 90 days of entering Japan.

(Re-entry permit)

A foreign national residing in Japan who wishes to leave Japan temporarily within his/her permitted period of stay and, after traveling to his/her home country or a third country, to enter and reside in Japan again with the same status of residence as before needs to apply for and receive re-entry permission. Under this system, a foreign national who receives re-entry permission before leaving Japan needs not apply for an entry visa again at a Japanese diplomatic mission abroad prior to re-entering Japan, and can reside in Japan after re-entry with the same status of residence held prior to leaving Japan.

What kind of visa is available for the family members of a person who has the working visa?

Spouses and children dependent on working foreign nationals are granted a "Dependent" visa and are permitted to engage in the day-to-day activities of a dependent spouse or child of a working foreign national residing in Japan.