Introduction: The Growing Foreign Population and Legal Challenges in Japan

The number of foreign nationals living and working in Japan continues to increase year by year. With corporate globalization, hiring talented foreign workers has become essential for many companies. However, there are numerous cases where attention is focused solely on obtaining and renewing visa status, while understanding of Japan’s broader legal system remains insufficient.

In July 2026, the unauthorized mosque construction issue in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, provides important lessons for foreign resident communities and employers. This article analyzes this case in detail and, from the perspective of a gyoseishoshi (administrative scrivener) specializing in visa applications, explains the key points of legal compliance that foreign residents and companies employing foreign workers should understand.

Case Overview: What Happened in Kawagoe City

Background of the Incident

In an urbanization control area in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, an Islamic prayer facility (mosque) was constructed without the required permission under the City Planning Act. The city conducted its first on-site inspection in July 2024.

The inspection confirmed the following structures:

  • Main mosque building (two-story with atrium structure, approximately 270㎡)
  • Cooking facility building
  • Dining hall building (capacity approximately 100 people)
  • Restroom building
  • Total of 4 buildings, approximately 780㎡ in total area

These buildings appeared to be steel-frame construction and have already been closed following administrative guidance from the city. The mayor stated clearly that “we demand removal as soon as possible.”

Status of Related Parties

Representatives of the landowner explained that “the buildings were already there when we purchased the property,” and the city has commissioned lawyers to investigate and identify the building owner.

Approximately 100 Pakistani nationals reside in Kawagoe City, but it has been confirmed that users also came to this mosque from neighboring Tokorozawa City.

Understanding Urbanization Control Areas: Basic Knowledge of Building Regulations

Land Use Regulations Under the City Planning Act

Under Japan’s City Planning Act, urban planning areas are divided into “urbanization promotion areas” and “urbanization control areas.”

Urbanization Promotion Areas
Areas that are already urbanized or should be preferentially and systematically urbanized within approximately 10 years.

Urbanization Control Areas
Areas where urbanization should be suppressed. In principle, development activities and building construction are restricted. Except for certain exceptions such as agricultural, forestry, and fishery buildings, construction requires permission under Article 43 of the City Planning Act.

Why These Regulations Exist

Regulations in urbanization control areas serve the following purposes:

  • Prevention of disorderly urbanization
  • Preservation of agricultural land and green spaces
  • Optimization of infrastructure development costs
  • Environmental protection

In the Kawagoe City case, buildings were constructed in an urbanization control area without permission, making it a violation of the City Planning Act.

Legal Risks Faced by Foreign Residents in Japan

“I Didn’t Know” Is Not an Acceptable Excuse in Japan’s Legal System

The biggest challenge faced by many foreign residents in Japan is the complexity of the Japanese legal system and its differences from their home countries. Particularly in the construction and real estate sectors, multi-layered legal regulations exist:

Building Standards Act
Laws that establish minimum standards for building structure, equipment, and usage

City Planning Act
Regulations concerning land use and urban development

Fire Service Act
Provisions relating to fire prevention and firefighting equipment

Other Related Laws
Landscape Act, Cultural Properties Protection Act, environmental regulations, etc.

These laws are interconnected, and compliance with multiple regulations is required even for a single construction project.

Unique Challenges for Religious and Community Facilities

When foreign resident communities attempt to establish religious facilities or cultural centers, they face specific challenges:

  1. Use Restrictions
    Construction of religious facilities may be restricted in residential zones
  2. Relations with Neighboring Residents
    It is important to gain understanding from neighboring residents regarding concerns about noise and increased traffic
  3. Building Scale and Legal Procedure Complexity
    The larger the scale, the more procedures are required
  4. Fundraising and Ownership Structure
    Fundraising within the community and clarification of ownership become issues

Risk Management That Companies Employing Foreign Workers Should Know

Corporate Legal and Social Responsibilities

For companies employing foreign workers, visa status management is fundamental, but it is not sufficient. Companies have the following responsibilities:

Legal Responsibilities

  • Employment with appropriate visa status
  • Compliance with labor-related laws
  • Social insurance enrollment obligations

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

  • Employee life support
  • Legal education and cultural adaptation support
  • Promotion of coexistence with local communities

Specific Risks Companies Face

When foreign employees become involved in legal violations, companies may also experience the following impacts:

  1. Reputation Risk
    Decline in corporate image, loss of trust from business partners
  2. Impact on Visa Status Renewal
    Employees may face difficulties in renewing their visa status
  3. Negative Effects on Recruitment
    Future recruitment of foreign workers may become difficult
  4. Pursuit of Legal Liability
    In some cases, companies may also be held responsible

Building a Preventive Compliance System

Preventive measures companies should take:

Implementation of Education Programs

  • Legal education during onboarding orientation
  • Regular training sessions
  • Provision of multilingual materials

Establishment of Consultation Systems

  • Internal consultation desks
  • Coordination with external specialists such as gyoseishoshi
  • Systems capable of responding in native languages

Prior Checking Systems

  • Legal verification during real estate transactions
  • Permission and licensing verification during business expansion
  • Regular compliance audits

Precautions in Real Estate Transactions

Pitfalls When Foreign Nationals Acquire or Use Real Estate

When foreign residents in Japan engage in real estate transactions, attention should be paid to the following points:

Matters to Confirm When Purchasing

  1. Land use zoning and building restrictions
  2. Legality of existing buildings (presence of building confirmation)
  3. Confirmation of rights such as mortgages
  4. Building earthquake resistance standard compliance

Matters to Confirm When Renting

  1. Content of lease agreement (use restrictions)
  2. Possibility of renovation/expansion
  3. Possibility of subleasing
  4. Obligation to restore to original condition upon contract termination

Risks Hidden in “Bargain Properties”

Properties significantly cheaper than market rates may have the following risks:

  • Illegal construction (no building confirmation obtained)
  • Properties where rebuilding is not possible
  • Properties with history of incidents
  • Soil contamination
  • Unconfirmed boundaries

As in the Kawagoe City case where “the buildings were already there when purchased,” new owners may bear the consequences of previous owners’ illegal activities.

Support Gyoseishoshi Can Provide

Role as Specialists in Visa Status Applications

Gyoseishoshi support foreign residents and companies through the following services:

Visa Status-Related Services

  • Certificate of Eligibility applications
  • Visa status change and renewal applications
  • Permanent residence permit applications
  • Naturalization permit application support

Business-Related Permissions and Licenses

  • Construction business permits
  • Real estate transaction business licenses
  • Restaurant business permits
  • Various other business permits

Corporate Establishment and Operation Support

  • Company establishment procedures
  • Articles of incorporation preparation
  • Various notifications

Total Support Through Collaboration with Other Professionals

For complex cases, gyoseishoshi serve as contact points and coordinate with other specialists:

Architects
Building confirmation applications, design and construction supervision

Attorneys (Bengoshi)
Litigation support, contract drafting, legal dispute resolution

Judicial Scriveners (Shiho-shoshi)
Real estate registration, corporate registration

Tax Accountants (Zeirishi)
Tax filing, accounting services

Social Insurance and Labor Consultants (Sharoushi)
Labor management, social insurance procedures

Through such one-stop services, foreign residents and companies can conduct business and live in Japan with peace of mind.

Practical Advice: Preventing Trouble Before It Occurs

Checklist Before Real Estate Transactions

When considering purchasing or leasing real estate, please confirm the following:

□ Confirm land use zoning (verifiable at municipal urban planning departments)
□ Confirm presence of building confirmation certificate
□ Confirm rights through certificate of registered matters
□ Consult specialists (gyoseishoshi, architects, attorneys)
□ Confirm neighborhood environment (field survey)
□ Confirm possibility of future use change/expansion

Steps When Conducting Construction or Renovation

  1. Preliminary Investigation
    Confirm use zoning and building restrictions
  2. Consultation with Specialists
    Consult with architects, gyoseishoshi, etc.
  3. Neighborhood Explanation
    Prior explanation to neighboring residents (trouble prevention)
  4. Building Confirmation Application
    Application based on the Building Standards Act
  5. Construction Commencement
    Commence construction after receiving confirmation certificate
  6. Completion Inspection
    Inspection after construction completion
  7. Obtaining Inspection Certificate
    Proof of legality

Importance of Early Consultation

Early detection and early response are fundamental principles for legal troubles. We recommend consulting with specialists at the following stages:

Planning Stage
“I want to do this—is it legally possible?”

Pre-Contract Stage
“Are there any problems with this contract content?”

Immediately After Trouble Occurs
“I received this notice—what should I do?”

The later you act, the higher the resolution costs become. Even for seemingly trivial matters where you think “consulting might be excessive,” it is important to verify with a specialist.

Significance of Legal Compliance in a Multicultural Society

Balancing Cultural Consideration and Legal Propriety

The cultural and religious needs of foreign resident communities should be respected. At the same time, these needs must be realized within the framework of Japan’s legal system.

These two aspects are not contradictory and can be reconciled through appropriate procedures and support from specialists.

For Sustainable Community Formation

Facilities established through legal procedures:

  • Can be used stably over the long term
  • Can build good relationships with neighboring residents
  • Become assets that can be passed to the next generation
  • Enhance community credibility

On the other hand, illegal construction:

  • Always carries risk of removal
  • Becomes a cause of neighborhood troubles
  • May result in wasted investment
  • Damages the image of the entire community

Conclusion: For Secure Life and Business Development in Japan

The unauthorized mosque construction case in Kawagoe City provides many lessons for foreign residents and companies employing foreign workers.

For Foreign Residents

  • Understanding not only visa status but Japan’s entire legal system is important
  • Special attention is required for real estate transactions and construction activities
  • “I didn’t know” or “It wasn’t a problem in my home country” are not acceptable excuses
  • Early consultation with specialists is key to trouble prevention

For Companies Employing Foreign Workers

  • Visa status management alone is insufficient
  • Legal education and support systems for employees are important
  • Preventive compliance systems minimize risk
  • Building coordination systems with specialists is effective

Role of Gyoseishoshi
As specialists in visas and residence status, gyoseishoshi serve as “reliable partners” for foreign residents and companies, supporting them with various legal issues.

Appropriate legal compliance is essential for living and conducting business in Japan with peace of mind. If you have any concerns or questions, please consult with a specialist first.

We, as gyoseishoshi, will fully support your success in Japan.

Reference Article
Yomiuri Shimbun Online: “Unauthorized Mosque Built in Urbanization Control Area in Kawagoe City, Saitama—First On-Site Inspection Conducted…Mayor States ‘We Demand Removal as Soon as Possible'”
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/d3ecc58b81609e16814ad98e09a925a549a17036