■ Introduction: Why a Visa Specialist Is Talking About Social Media

In May 2026, an article published by Asahi Shimbun Digital sparked serious discussion among us gyoseishoshi (certified administrative procedures legal specialists) who work in the field of foreign resident support. The article reported that social media posts targeting Pakistani residents in Ebetsu City, Hokkaido, had escalated into real-world violence — including a rocket firework attack and the complete burning down of a mosque. A separate case in Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, involved a private citizen’s anxiety post about a planned residential building for foreign residents being amplified far beyond his original intent under hashtags such as “Absolutely Oppose Immigration Policy,” resulting in over one thousand complaint calls and emails to the city office.

As a specialist in visa applications and status of residence procedures, I believe there are urgent points that foreign residents in Japan, as well as company executives and HR officers who employ foreign nationals, need to understand right now.

This article explains, in clear and practical terms, the risks of foreign employment in the social media era, the importance of proper status of residence management, and how we gyoseishoshi can support you.

■ 1. The Gap Between “Facts on Social Media” and “Actual Facts” — A Specialist’s Perspective

According to the report, a video alleging that “all 76 illegal structures in Ebetsu City were built by Pakistani residents” was viewed more than 300,000 times. However, when an Asahi Shimbun reporter contacted the city, it was confirmed that the majority of those 76 illegal structures had actually been built by Japanese nationals.

This discrepancy is far from a trivial matter for those of us who handle visa work daily. Foreign residents who live lawfully in Japan under a valid status of residence, pay taxes, and contribute to local economies are being unjustly portrayed as criminals based on baseless information. This undermines public trust in the immigration system itself.

In reality, most foreign residents live in Japan under clear statuses defined by the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, including “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services,” “Specified Skilled Worker,” “Business Manager,” “Technical Intern Training” (transitioning to “Employment for Skill Development” from 2027), “Permanent Resident,” and “Spouse or Child of Japanese National.” While terms like “illegal stay” and “illegal employment” circulate widely, official statistics from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan show that the overwhelming majority of foreign residents are lawfully present.

■ 2. Three Essential Self-Protection Tips for Foreign Residents in Japan

SEO keywords: residence card carrying obligation / permission for activities outside status / status renewal

To foreign residents reading this, my first message is that maintaining a lawful residence status — and being able to prove it — is the strongest form of self-defense.

Three key points to remember:

First, the obligation to carry your residence card at all times. Under Article 23 of the Immigration Control Act, mid- to long-term residents aged 16 or older are required to carry their residence card at all times. This document allows you to immediately demonstrate your lawful status to police officers if any trouble arises.

Second, confirmation of permission for activities other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted. Foreign residents on student visas or dependent visas who wish to work part-time generally must obtain this permission and are limited, in principle, to 28 hours per week. Exceeding this limit constitutes illegal employment and can lead to penalties for both the worker and the employer.

Third, early preparation for status renewal. Renewal applications can be submitted from three months before the expiration of your current period of stay. Apply with sufficient lead time. If your application is denied due to documentation deficiencies, you may be transferred to a “Designated Activities” status for departure preparation, which can severely disrupt your life plans.

These are fundamental protections that come simply from knowing the rules. If you have any concerns, please consult a gyoseishoshi early.

■ 3. Three Risks Faced by Companies Employing Foreign Nationals — and How to Address Them

SEO keywords: foreign employment compliance / crime of promoting illegal employment / notification of foreign employment status

For executives and HR professionals at companies that employ foreign nationals, I urge you to recognize three risks unique to the social media era.

[Risk 1: Legal Compliance Risk]
Article 73-2 of the Immigration Control Act, which defines the crime of promoting illegal employment, carries severe penalties: imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to three million yen, or both. “I didn’t know” is not a valid defense, and even negligent conduct may be subject to punishment. Mandatory measures include verifying the residence card at the time of hiring, confirming consistency between the status of residence and the actual job duties, and establishing a system to track residence period expiration dates.

[Risk 2: Reputational Risk]
On social media, there have been reported cases where companies face baseless criticism or defamation simply for employing foreign nationals. As illustrated by the cases in Ebetsu and Asakura, if a company’s name is spread alongside terms like “illegal construction,” “hideout,” or “anti-immigration,” the impact on business partners and recruitment efforts can be enormous.

[Risk 3: Employee Retention Risk]
The mental health of foreign employees who become targets of harassment, the anxiety experienced by their families, and the resulting risk of resignation — these are management challenges in their own right.

Recommended responses:

  1. Submit “Notification of Employment Status of Foreign Nationals” to Hello Work without delay
  2. Include explicit provisions for multicultural coexistence and anti-harassment in the work rules
  3. Provide management-level training on the basics of status of residence
  4. Communicate internally and externally based on facts and with composure
  5. Establish ongoing relationships with gyoseishoshi and attorneys for emergency consultation

■ 4. A Three-Step Method to Avoid Being Misled by Social Media Narratives

SEO keywords: foreign nationals misinformation verification / Immigration Services Agency statistics / JICA Hometown Program

One striking element of the Asahi Shimbun article was the case of the Asakura City apartment plan, which was related to the JICA Hometown Program but was amplified beyond its original context under hashtags such as “Chinese apartment” and “Absolutely Oppose Immigration Policy.” The man who initially posted said he had no intention of opposing immigration policy and was deeply confused by what happened.

To avoid being swept up in such situations, I recommend the following three-step verification approach when encountering social media information.

First, check primary sources. Refer to official municipal announcements, Immigration Services Agency statistics, and follow-up reporting by established news organizations.

Second, verify the source of any specific numbers. When a concrete figure such as “76 illegal structures” appears, always confirm exactly who is responsible for those structures.

Third, consult a specialist. For matters involving status of residence or immigration law, a gyoseishoshi or attorney can quickly determine whether the information is accurate.

■ 5. What a Gyoseishoshi Can Do — More Than Paperwork, a True Partner

We gyoseishoshi are not merely “document preparation agents.” Our work includes applications for Certificates of Eligibility, applications for change of status of residence, applications for extension of period of stay, applications for permanent residence, and support for naturalization (with some scope shared with judicial scriveners and attorneys). Our work is deeply connected to each individual’s life plan and each company’s management strategy.

In today’s social media era, our role has expanded considerably:

  • For foreign residents: a consultation point for maintaining lawful status and responding to unjust treatment
  • For employers: compliance support across the full employee lifecycle, from hiring through post-onboarding management to offboarding procedures
  • For local communities: a role in disseminating accurate information and correcting misinformation

The man in the Asakura case ended his interview with these words: “It’s easy to drive impressions with emotionally charged language. But that doesn’t actually move reality.”

What truly moves reality is the patient accumulation of fact-checking and lawful procedures. We gyoseishoshi want to be the partners who walk that patient path alongside you.

■ Conclusion: Turn Anxiety Into Consultation

To foreign residents in Japan and to companies employing foreign nationals: if you feel anxious because of uncertain information on social media, please do not carry that burden alone. Consult a trusted gyoseishoshi. Even an initial conversation that simply organizes your situation can bring substantial peace of mind.

“Knowing correctly” is the first step in protecting yourself and the people you care about.

Reference article: Asahi Shimbun Digital, “Social Media Linked to ‘Anti-Immigrant’ Movements: The True Nature of the Discomfort I Felt After Being Defamed”
https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASV4P3FKMV4PUTIL02YM.html?iref=pc_national_top

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