- Introduction: The Rapid Increase of Vietnamese Residents in Japan and Compliance Challenges
- Overview and Significance of the Vietnam Embassy Quiz Competition
- Status of Residence and Employment Restrictions: Essential Basic Knowledge
- Employment Compliance for Companies Hiring Foreign Nationals
- Key Points for Status of Residence Renewal and Change
- Conclusion: Correct Knowledge Leads to Secure Residence in Japan
Introduction: The Rapid Increase of Vietnamese Residents in Japan and Compliance Challenges
On June 17, 2026, the Vietnamese Embassy in Shibuya, Tokyo, held a kickoff event for an online participatory quiz competition aimed at Vietnamese residents in Japan. This event is designed to help Vietnamese people living in Japan gain a better understanding of Japanese laws, with quiz questions created in cooperation with the Metropolitan Police Department.
As of the end of 2025, approximately 681,100 Vietnamese nationals are living in Japan, representing a remarkable 4.6-fold increase compared to ten years ago. With this rapid growth, there has been an increase in cases where individuals unknowingly violate laws due to insufficient understanding of the differences between Japanese and Vietnamese legal systems.
In this article, from the perspective of an administrative scrivener (gyoseishoshi) specializing in visa applications and status of residence applications, I will explain the significance of this quiz competition and important points regarding status of residence that foreign residents in Japan and companies employing foreign nationals should be aware of.
Overview and Significance of the Vietnam Embassy Quiz Competition
Background and Purpose of the Event
This quiz competition, now in its third year since it began two years ago, is expected to attract approximately 100,000 entries, making it one of the largest educational events in the Vietnamese community in Japan.
The quiz content is practical, featuring questions such as “What types of jobs are international students prohibited from doing?” These are not merely knowledge checks but are designed to help participants acquire legal knowledge necessary for real-life situations.
The Effectiveness of a “Learning Through Fun” Approach
A counselor at the embassy stated, “Through this contest, we hope the Vietnamese community in Japan will become more friendly and disciplined toward Japan.” This reflects an intention to foster a culture where compliance is learned joyfully throughout the community, rather than being perceived as a rigid obligation.
Incorporating “fun” into legal education is highly effective from an educational standpoint. Quiz formats offer several benefits:
- Low barrier to participation, allowing many to join easily
- Game-like format makes information more memorable
- Knowledge naturally solidifies through correct and incorrect answers
- Ripple effects throughout the community through social media sharing
This approach has the potential to become a model case for compliance education in future foreign talent acceptance programs.
Status of Residence and Employment Restrictions: Essential Basic Knowledge
What is Status of Residence?
Status of residence is a legal qualification that allows foreign nationals to stay in Japan. While commonly referred to as a “visa,” strictly speaking, a visa (渡航証明) and status of residence are different. Status of residence defines the scope of activities permitted after entering Japan.
Currently, there are approximately 30 types of status of residence in Japan, each with specific activity restrictions. The main categories are:
Status of Residence Permitting Work
- Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
- Skilled Labor
- Specified Skilled Worker
- Technical Intern Training, etc.
Status of Residence Principally Not Permitting Work
- Student (College Student)
- Dependent
- Cultural Activities, etc.
Status of Residence with No Activity Restrictions
- Permanent Resident
- Spouse or Child of Japanese National
- Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
- Long-Term Resident
Employment Restrictions for International Students: The Most Misunderstood Point
The question addressed in the quiz competition—”What types of jobs are international students prohibited from doing?”—is extremely important in practice.
While international students are generally not permitted to work, they may engage in part-time work within certain limits by obtaining “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted Under the Status of Residence Previously Granted.” However, the following restrictions apply:
Time Restrictions
- Up to 28 hours per week (up to 8 hours per day during long vacations as defined by school regulations)
- If working multiple part-time jobs, the total must not exceed 28 hours per week
Industry Restrictions
- Cannot work in businesses related to the adult entertainment industry (customer service at bars, massage parlors, pachinko parlors, and other businesses defined under the Adult Entertainment Business Act)
- Even cleaning or dishwashing work is prohibited if the establishment is related to adult entertainment
Common Violations
❌ Dishwashing or cleaning at cabarets or snack bars
❌ Cleaning at pachinko parlors
❌ Working more than 28 hours per week
❌ Working part-time without obtaining permission for activities outside the status of residence
These violations are often discovered during status of residence renewal or change applications and can result in denial.
Differences Between Technical Intern Training and Specified Skilled Worker
Many Vietnamese nationals come to Japan under the Technical Intern Training or Specified Skilled Worker status of residence. While these may seem similar, they are fundamentally different.
Technical Intern Training
- Purpose: International contribution through skills transfer
- Job changes: Generally not permitted (same occupation, same implementing organization)
- Duration: Maximum 5 years
- Family accompaniment: Not permitted
Specified Skilled Worker
- Purpose: Securing labor in fields facing worker shortages
- Job changes: Permitted within the same field
- Duration: Specified Skilled Worker (i) up to 5 years; Specified Skilled Worker (ii) renewable
- Family accompaniment: Permitted for Specified Skilled Worker (ii)
The ability to change jobs is a significant difference. If a technical intern trainee changes jobs without authorization, it constitutes illegal employment, and the accepting company may also be charged with facilitating illegal employment.
Employment Compliance for Companies Hiring Foreign Nationals
Risk of Facilitating Illegal Employment
The most critical concern for companies hiring foreign nationals is the offense of “facilitating illegal employment.” This criminal penalty applies when a company knowingly hires foreign nationals engaged in illegal employment or fails to verify their status of residence.
Penalties
- Imprisonment for up to 3 years, a fine of up to 3 million yen, or both
“I Didn’t Know” Is Not a Defense
Under the Immigration Control Act, employers are obligated to verify residence cards. Failure to do so means that the excuse “I didn’t know” will not be accepted.
Points to Verify When Hiring
When hiring foreign nationals, always verify the following:
✓ Verify the Residence Card
- Expiration date
- Type of status of residence
- Employment restrictions
✓ Verify Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (for students and dependents)
- Presence of permission stamp
- Scope of permission (e.g., up to 28 hours per week)
✓ Verify Permissible Job Categories
- Whether the job duties correspond to the status of residence
- Whether it is related to the adult entertainment industry
✓ Regularly Manage Residence Periods
- Support for renewal procedures
- System to check before expiration
Obligation to Report Foreign Employment Status
When hiring or terminating foreign nationals, employers are required to report to Hello Work (public employment security office). Failure to report may result in a fine of up to 300,000 yen.
Key Points for Status of Residence Renewal and Change
Main Reasons for Denial of Renewal
The main reasons for denial of status of residence renewal or change applications include:
- Violation of Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted
- International students working more than 28 hours per week
- Working in unauthorized industries
- Failure to Fulfill Tax Obligations
- Unpaid resident tax or income tax
- Non-enrollment in pension or health insurance
- Poor Residence Status
- Poor attendance for international students
- Criminal record
- False Application
- Falsification of application documents
- False explanations
- Lack of Economic Foundation
- No stable income
- Receiving public assistance
When to Consult a Specialist
In the following situations, it is advisable to consult a specialist such as an administrative scrivener early:
- Considering a job change but uncertain whether a status of residence change is required
- Past violations of activity restrictions
- Residence period expiring soon with uncertainty about renewal
- Desiring to bring family members but unclear about requirements
- Considering permanent residence application but unsure how to prepare
Early consultation can prevent problems before they occur.
Conclusion: Correct Knowledge Leads to Secure Residence in Japan
The Vietnam Embassy’s quiz competition is a wonderful initiative that raises legal compliance awareness within the Vietnamese community in Japan through a new approach: “learning laws while having fun.”
However, the knowledge gained through quizzes is foundational, and there are many situations where specialized advice tailored to individual circumstances is necessary. Consultation with a specialist is especially recommended for the following individuals:
For Foreign Residents in Japan
- Facing status of residence renewal or change
- Considering job change or starting a business
- Wishing to bring family members to Japan
- Considering permanent residence application
- Anxious due to past violations
For Company Executives and HR Personnel
- Considering hiring foreign nationals
- Uncertain about managing the status of residence of currently employed foreign staff
- Wishing to avoid the risk of facilitating illegal employment
- Planning to implement legal education for foreign staff
As specialists in visa applications and status of residence, administrative scriveners support your secure residence and proper employment of foreign nationals. Before regretting “I didn’t know,” please feel free to consult with us.
Initial consultations are free, and multilingual support is available. We support correct knowledge and appropriate procedures to help you live and work in Japan with peace of mind.
Reference Article
Mainichi Shimbun, “Learning Compliance Through Fun: Vietnam Embassy Holds Quiz Competition for Vietnamese Residents in Japan,” published June 21, 2026
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/c578f5ab860801e9ae1baf9cf836eb9d8fcf415a
