■ Introduction: Why This Is Not Someone Else’s Problem

On May 18, 2025, Chiba Prefectural Police arrested 14 foreign nationals — men and women in their 20s to 50s of Thai, Indonesian, and Cambodian nationality — for illegal overstay at an apartment in Asahi City, Chiba. According to reports, 13 of them had originally entered Japan on short-term stay visas, while one had entered as a technical intern trainee. Some had allegedly overstayed for nearly seven years. All 14 individuals were taken into custody at the Tokyo Regional Immigration Services Bureau. They reportedly told investigators that they had been “making a living through agricultural work and similar activities.”

This news should not be viewed merely as another case of “illegal foreigners caught.” From my perspective as a gyoseishoshi (certified administrative procedures legal specialist) specializing in visa and residency status applications, this incident contains important lessons for foreign nationals living in Japan and for business owners and HR professionals who employ them. This article uses the case as a starting point to explain — concretely and practically — the knowledge necessary to avoid illegal overstay and unauthorized employment, and the measures companies should implement immediately.

■ 1. Chiba Ranks Second Nationally in Illegal Workers — What the Numbers Tell Us

According to the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Chiba Prefecture recorded 2,257 illegal workers in 2024, ranking second nationally after Ibaraki Prefecture. As a metropolitan-area prefecture with strong agricultural, manufacturing, and logistics sectors, Chiba has high demand for foreign labor — and, correspondingly, an environment where individuals without proper residency status can remain unnoticed.

It would be premature to assume “my company or my area is fine.” In the Asahi City case, 14 people were living in 6 of 8 apartment units. The fact that this situation went undetected for so long reflects how communities and employers can unknowingly tolerate legal gray zones — a broader structural risk.

■ 2. You Absolutely Cannot Work on a Short-Term Stay Visa — The Most Common Misconception

Thirteen of the 14 individuals arrested had entered Japan on “Temporary Visitor” (short-term stay) visas. This status of residence permits only non-paid activities such as tourism and short visits, including visiting relatives or short business trips. The authorized period is typically 15, 30, or 90 days.

It is critical to understand that engaging in part-time work, or helping at a friend’s business in exchange for payment while on this status, constitutes a violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act — even if the work is brief or low-paid. The individual may face criminal penalties for unauthorized employment (up to 3 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both), and the employer may be charged with facilitating illegal employment.

“I was just asked by an acquaintance to help out in the fields for a bit” — this kind of casual attitude can lead to detention and deportation. This risk cannot be overstated.

■ 3. Technical Intern Trainee Absconding and Illegal Residence — A Structural Issue

One of the arrested individuals was a technical intern trainee. The Technical Intern Training Program was created to develop human resources in developing countries, but functions in practice as a labor supply system. Some trainees abscond due to dissatisfaction with wages or working conditions.

When a trainee absconds and works elsewhere, that constitutes both “unauthorized activity” and “overstay.” While individual responsibility exists, there are also many cases where the receiving company or supervising organization bears some responsibility. In anticipation of the new Training and Employment Program (scheduled to take effect in 2027), companies must transition to systems that do not treat foreign workers as disposable labor.

■ 4. The Crime of Facilitating Illegal Employment — Employers’ Serious Responsibility

Article 73-2 of the Immigration Control Act defines the crime of facilitating illegal employment. The following acts may constitute this offense:

  • Employing a foreign national in unauthorized work in connection with business activities
  • Brokering arrangements that cause foreign nationals to engage in unauthorized work
  • Assisting in the above acts

Penalties are up to 3 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both. Crucially, the defense of “I didn’t know” or “I believed they had proper status” is not accepted where negligence is found (clarified by the 2017 amendment).

In other words, employers have a proactive duty to verify residency status and authorized period of stay. Merely “having seen the residence card” is insufficient. Employers must carefully verify:

  • Whether the card is genuine (counterfeit cards exist)
  • Whether the status of residence matches the work being performed
  • Whether the period of stay has not expired
  • Whether the activity falls within any permission to engage in activities outside the authorized scope (e.g., student part-time work)

■ 5. To Foreign Nationals Living in Japan — Four Fundamentals for Protecting Your Status of Residence

The following are essential points I want to convey directly to foreign residents.

【Fundamental 1】Always carry your residence card and know its expiration date
Failure to carry your residence card is punishable by a fine of up to 200,000 yen. I recommend setting smartphone calendar alerts for 3 months, 1 month, and 2 weeks before renewal.

【Fundamental 2】Confirm that your activities match your status of residence
Holders of the “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” status who perform primarily unskilled labor are engaging in unauthorized activity. “Student” status holders are limited to 28 hours of part-time work per week.

【Fundamental 3】File a notification within 14 days of changing or leaving an employer
Failure to notify the immigration authorities of changes to your affiliated organization may negatively affect future renewals or status changes and may result in a fine of up to 200,000 yen.

【Fundamental 4】When in doubt, always consult a specialist
The longer an overstay continues, the narrower your options become — including the possibility of Special Permission for Residence through voluntary surrender. Early consultation is the key to protecting your future in Japan.

■ 6. Five Measures Companies Should Take Now

Five concrete recommendations for business owners and HR professionals employing foreign nationals:

【Measure 1】Pre-employment residence status screening
Always verify the original residence card and use the Immigration Services Agency’s online verification system for card number validity.

【Measure 2】Check consistency between residence status and actual job duties
For example, assigning someone hired under “Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services” to unskilled on-site work constitutes unauthorized activity. Verify whenever job duties change.

【Measure 3】Centralized management of expiration dates
Register all residency expiration dates in your HR system and set automatic alerts. Renewal applications can be filed beginning 3 months before expiration.

【Measure 4】Internal training and multilingual manuals
Helping foreign employees understand the rules themselves reduces long-term risk.

【Measure 5】Retain a gyoseishoshi or other specialist on an advisory basis
With immigration law and operational practice constantly evolving, ongoing specialist support is one of the most effective ways to maintain compliance.

■ 7. Special Permission for Residence — An Option If You Are Already in Overstay

For those already in illegal overstay status, or who know someone in that situation, one possible option is Special Permission for Residence (zairyū tokubetsu kyoka). Even if a person is subject to deportation, the Minister of Justice may exercise discretion to grant permission to remain in Japan.

In June 2024, the guidelines for Special Permission for Residence were revised to increase transparency. Factors considered include family relationships, length of residence, living conditions, and contributions to Japan. However, this system is premised on voluntary surrender — once arrested, the likelihood of approval may decrease significantly.

If you are facing such concerns, please do not face the situation alone. Consult a gyoseishoshi or other specialist. We are bound by professional confidentiality, so you can speak with us in confidence.

■ 8. The Future of Japan and Foreign Talent — A Coexistence Perspective

As Japan faces population decline and aging, more industries depend on foreign workers. Agriculture, elderly care, construction, manufacturing, logistics — all of these sectors increasingly depend on foreign talent.

For precisely this reason, leaving the distortions of illegal overstay and unauthorized employment unaddressed ultimately undermines those foreign nationals working properly within the legal framework. Building a society where people can live and work with peace of mind, under proper residency status, ultimately strengthens the competitiveness of Japanese companies.

The gyoseishoshi profession serves as a bridge between foreign residents, employers, and legal systems — not only handling application procedures, but also supporting corporate compliance and the daily lives of foreign residents.

■ 9. Conclusion — Do Not Leave Uncertainty Unaddressed

The Asahi City arrests are by no means an isolated incident. Similar cases can — and do — occur anywhere in Japan.

For foreign residents and employers alike, the moment something feels legally uncertain is precisely the moment to consult a specialist. The earlier you act, the broader your options.

I offer initial consultations on visa and residency matters free of charge. Please do not try to handle these issues alone — reach out. I am here to help protect your future, and your company’s future, through proper legal guidance and procedures.

▼Reference article
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/49d6eb9921562615b426abd577f3dfa29a480d68

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