Introduction

In July 2026, an incident occurred in Tokyo where officials from a supervising organization for foreign technical intern trainees were arrested on suspicion of violating the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. This case, in which Thai nationals were made to work at massage parlors under residence statuses that do not permit such employment, once again highlights the critical importance of proper residence status management in foreign employment.

According to reports, the suspects operated four establishments over approximately four years starting in 2022, generating total sales of approximately 343 million yen. The scale of these operations suggests organized and planned illegal activities.

This article examines this case to provide detailed explanations of the fundamentals of residence status for massage and therapist work, points that companies employing foreign nationals should be aware of, and essential legal knowledge for foreign residents in Japan.

There Is No “Work Visa” for Massage or Therapist Services

Basic Structure of Residence Status

Many people are unaware that there is no “work visa” in Japan specifically for working as a massage therapist or body therapist.

Japan’s residence status system is broadly categorized as follows:

1. Residence Statuses Permitting Work (with activity restrictions)
Statuses such as Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services, Skilled Labor, Intra-company Transferee, and Entertainer, which presuppose engagement in specific professional activities

2. Residence Statuses Based on Personal Status or Position (without activity restrictions)
Statuses such as Spouse or Child of Japanese National, Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident, Permanent Resident, and Long-Term Resident, which are based on family relationships with Japan

3. Designated Activities
Activities individually specified by the Minister of Justice

Massage and therapist work does not fall under any of the work-authorized residence statuses mentioned above.

Residence Statuses That Permit Massage and Therapist Work

Foreign nationals can legally work as massage therapists or body therapists only if they hold the following status-based residence statuses:

  • Spouse or Child of Japanese National: Foreign nationals married to Japanese citizens
  • Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident: Foreign nationals married to permanent residents
  • Permanent Resident: Foreign nationals who have been granted permanent residence permission
  • Long-Term Resident: Foreign nationals permitted to reside by the Minister of Justice for special reasons (such as persons of Japanese ancestry)

These status-based residence statuses have no restrictions on employment activities, allowing work at massage parlors, beauty salons, relaxation salons, and similar establishments.

Why There Is No Work Visa for Massage Services

In Japan’s residence status system, “work visas” are generally limited to occupations requiring advanced expertise or specialized skills. Unfortunately, under current immigration law, massage services are not classified in that category.

Even holding the national license of “Anma-Massage-Shiatsu Practitioner” does not serve as grounds for creating a residence status as a work visa.

Exceptional Employment Through Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

What Is Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

However, this does not mean that engagement in massage work is impossible in all cases.

Individuals holding “Student” or “Dependent” residence statuses can engage in employment activities outside their original purpose of stay within certain limits by obtaining Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted.

This permission has the following restrictions:

  • Employment within 28 hours per week (for students, up to 8 hours per day during long vacations)
  • Work in businesses related to the sex industry is prohibited
  • Activities must not interfere with the original purpose of stay (studies or family support)

Legitimate Massage Parlors Permit Part-Time Work

If students or dependents have obtained Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted, working at legitimate massage parlors within 28 hours per week is legal.

“Legitimate massage parlors” here refers to:

  • Establishments providing no sexual services
  • Operations not subject to regulation under the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business (Fueiho)
  • Properly licensed businesses providing appropriate massage techniques

At such establishments, employment within the scope of permitted activities is allowed.

Work Related to the Sex Industry Is Absolutely Prohibited

Here is an extremely important point of caution.

Massage services involving sexual content are subject to the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business, and students or dependents cannot engage in such work even if they hold Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted.

The Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business regulates businesses involving sexual services, and engaging in such work results in:

  • Violation of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act
  • Grounds for revocation of residence status
  • Subject to deportation
  • Subject to criminal penalties

In this case as well, the suspects were initially arrested on suspicion of violating the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business for providing sexual services, and were subsequently re-arrested for violating immigration law.

Issues in This Case

Abuse of the Technical Intern Training System

What makes this case particularly egregious is that one of the arrested suspects held the position of supervisory officer at a supervising organization for foreign technical intern trainees, yet was involved in illegal activities.

The Technical Intern Training Program is an international cooperation system aimed at transferring skills to developing countries, and the fact that an official of an organization responsible for supervising this system facilitated illegal employment severely undermines the credibility of the system.

Crime of Facilitating Illegal Employment

The legal responsibility of employers is also severe.

Article 73-2 of the Immigration Control Act stipulates the “Crime of Facilitating Illegal Employment,” imposing imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 3 million yen for the following acts:

  1. Causing a person to engage in illegal employment activities
  2. Employing or contracting a person for the purpose of having them engage in illegal employment activities
  3. Introducing a person for the purpose of having them engage in illegal employment activities

The excuse of “not knowing” is not accepted. Even failure to verify a residence card is subject to punishment.

Organized Illegal Activities

According to reports, the suspects operated four establishments over approximately four years starting in 2022, generating total sales of 343 million yen.

From this scale and duration, the following can be inferred:

  • Planned and organized illegal activities
  • Involvement of multiple foreign nationals
  • Continued violation of immigration law over an extended period
  • Acquisition of substantial illegal profits

In such egregious cases, heavier criminal penalties are likely to be imposed.

Points Companies Employing Foreign Nationals Should Be Aware Of

Obligation to Verify Residence Cards

When employing foreign nationals, employers have the following verification obligations:

1. Verification of Residence Card

  • Front: Name, date of birth, nationality, residence status, period of stay
  • Back: Presence and conditions of Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

2. Verification of Residence Card Authenticity

  • The validity of residence card numbers can be verified on the Immigration Services Agency website
  • Verification by reading the IC chip is also possible

3. Confirmation of Permissible Work Scope

  • Permissible work varies by residence status
  • Verify the content and conditions of Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

Permissible Work by Residence Status

Regarding engagement in massage and therapist work, organized by residence status:

◎ Work Permitted

  • Spouse or Child of Japanese National
  • Spouse or Child of Permanent Resident
  • Permanent Resident
  • Long-Term Resident

△ Conditionally Permitted

  • Student (with Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted, within 28 hours per week, legitimate establishments only)
  • Dependent (with Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted, within 28 hours per week, legitimate establishments only)

× Work Not Permitted

  • Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
  • Technical Intern Training
  • Specified Skilled Worker
  • Temporary Visitor
  • Other work-authorized residence statuses

Regular Verification and Monitoring

For foreign employment, verification at the time of hiring alone is insufficient:

  • Verification of Period of Stay: Regularly confirm that the period of stay has not expired
  • Verification of Changes in Residence Status: Residence status may change due to marriage or divorce
  • Verification of Permission Renewal: When renewing the period of stay, re-obtaining Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted may be necessary

Internal Training and Compliance Systems

The following organizational preparations are essential for companies:

  1. Conduct internal training on foreign employment
  2. Provide specialized knowledge education to HR and labor management personnel
  3. Systematize residence status management
  4. Conduct regular compliance status checks
  5. Establish cooperative relationships with specialists (administrative scriveners, attorneys, etc.)

What Foreign Residents in Japan Should Know

Verify Your Own Residence Status

Foreign residents should always check their residence cards and understand the following:

  • Current residence status type
  • Period of stay expiration date
  • Permissible work scope
  • Presence and conditions of Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

Risks of Illegal Employment

Engaging in work not permitted under your residence status carries the following risks:

1. Revocation of Residence Status
Under Article 22-4 of the Immigration Control Act, residence status may be revoked for false applications or illegal employment.

2. Deportation
Under Article 24 of the Immigration Control Act, those who engage in illegal employment activities are subject to deportation.

3. Difficulty Re-entering Japan
Once deported, re-entry is generally not permitted for five years. In egregious cases, a landing refusal period of ten years may be imposed.

4. Criminal Penalties
In some cases, criminal prosecution may also occur.

Do Not Accept Employers’ Words at Face Value

Even if an employer says “it’s fine” or “no problem,” you are ultimately the one who bears responsibility.

Be especially cautious of the following recruitment approaches:

  • “Don’t worry about your residence status”
  • “Others are doing it too”
  • “It’s fine as long as you don’t get caught”
  • “We guarantee high wages”

Consult with Specialists

If you have concerns or questions, always consult with specialists:

  • Administrative Scriveners: Specialists in residence status applications
  • Attorneys: For legal troubles
  • Regional Immigration Services Bureau: Official consultation desk for residence status matters
  • Foreign Resident Support Centers: Support organizations in each region

The earlier you consult, the more options you will have.

Changing to Appropriate Residence Status

Changing to Status-Based Residence Status

If you currently wish to work in massage or therapy but do not hold an appropriate residence status, the following methods may be considered:

1. Marriage to a Japanese National
Marry a Japanese citizen and obtain the residence status of “Spouse or Child of Japanese National”

2. Application for Permanent Residence
If certain requirements are met, permanent residence can be applied for (generally requires residence of ten years or more)

3. Change to Long-Term Resident
If there are special circumstances, a change to Long-Term Resident may be permitted

Application for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted

If students or dependents wish to work part-time at legitimate massage parlors:

Application Destination: Regional Immigration Services Bureau
Required Documents:

  • Application form for Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted
  • Residence card
  • Passport
  • Employment contract or job offer letter (if available)

Review Period: Approximately 2 weeks to 1 month
Fee: Free

Precautions for Changing Residence Status

Each type of residence status change has its own requirements:

  • Status-based residence statuses: Substantive marital or family relationships are required
  • Permanent residence: Good conduct, independent livelihood, contribution to Japan’s interests
  • Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted: Activities must not interfere with the original purpose of stay

Fake marriages or false applications are serious criminal acts and will be severely punished if discovered.

Conclusion

This case once again demonstrates the importance of proper residence status management in foreign employment.

To Companies

  • Verifying residence cards is mandatory
  • Facilitating illegal employment is subject to severe criminal penalties
  • Establish compliance systems
  • Consult with specialists when in doubt

To Foreign Residents in Japan

  • Verify what work is permitted under your residence status
  • Illegal employment endangers your future in Japan
  • Do not accept employers’ words at face value; verify for yourself
  • Consult with specialists when in difficulty

Under current law, massage and therapist work can only be performed by those holding specific status-based residence statuses, or by students and dependents who have obtained Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted (at legitimate establishments, within 28 hours per week).

However, work related to the sex industry is subject to the Act on Control and Improvement of Amusement Business, so students and dependents absolutely cannot engage in such work even with permission.

Lawful foreign employment and residence are the responsibility of both companies and foreign nationals. Complying with laws and regulations and creating safe working environments leads to the realization of a multicultural society.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact specialists such as administrative scriveners.

Reference Article
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/9ad43beb91329644d095f12c1c05dc2fb56a3e93

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