A new residency management system will be introduced on July 9th. Get ready! You’ll have 3 years from this date to get your new Residence Card (zairyu card). This new system will apply to mid-term and long-term residents in Japan. The aim is to enable the Ministry of Justice to maintain up-to-date information required for managing the residency of foreign nationals and to help local authorities provide them with better administrative services using that information.

The introduction of the system will bring big advantages, including easier procedures for foreign nationals residing in Japan to reenter the country and longer maximum periods of stay. This program will introduce the new residency management system.

What exactly is the new residency management system? You can get more info at that site and also download a PDF file. If they take the PDF offline, I have uploaded a copy
Download Here

See even more in depth details here

Target Group – Permanent Residents
Expiration date of Alien Registration Card (gaikojin torokusho) – 3 years from the date the new system goes into effect. As for a person under 16, whichever takes place first: 3 years from the July 9, 2012 or your 16th birthday.
New certificate type – Residence Card
Where to switch over to Residence Record – Regional Immigration Bureau

Target Group – Others
Expiration date of Alien Registration Card – When your Period of Stay and/or Status of Residence changes after July 9, 2012
New certificate type – Residence Card
Where to switch over to Residence Record – Regional Immigration Bureau