Introduction

In July 2026, the Immigration Services Agency of Japan announced a significant policy shift: the emergency addition of over 200 immigration control officers and immigration inspectors to strengthen the crackdown on foreign nationals illegally overstaying in Japan. This emergency increase during the fiscal year is an exceptional measure, signaling that Japanese immigration policy is at a major turning point.

This article provides detailed explanations for foreign residents in Japan, as well as business owners and HR personnel who employ foreign nationals, about the implications of this policy and the necessary responses going forward.

Current Status of Illegal Overstays and Government Concerns

Persistently High Number of Illegal Overstayers

The number of illegal overstayers reached approximately 83,000 as of January 1, 2020, and remains high at 68,000 as of 2026. These figures indicate that residence management issues are becoming increasingly serious as the foreign population in Japan grows.

Illegal overstay refers to continuing to stay in Japan beyond the authorized period of stay. In many cases, circumstances such as “forgetting to renew by mistake” or “not understanding the complex procedures” are involved. However, under the law, whether intentional or not, it is treated as illegal overstay.

Risks Associated with Illegal Overstay

There are several reasons why the government is strengthening the crackdown on illegal overstays.

Promotion of Illegal Employment
Illegal overstayers are more likely to engage in “illegal employment,” working in jobs outside their authorized residence status. This not only disrupts labor market order but also puts the individuals themselves at risk, as they are not protected by labor laws and can become targets of exploitation.

Impact on Public Safety
People in illegal overstay status find it difficult to consult police when victimized by crime and cannot receive social support. Consequently, they face higher risks of being involved in crime or, due to financial hardship, resorting to criminal activity themselves.

Need for Proper Residence Management
Japan plans to continue accepting foreign workers, but this is premised on “orderly acceptance.” Leaving illegal overstays unchecked creates undesirable situations for both foreign nationals residing properly and Japanese society as a whole.

Specific Details of the Current Staff Increase

Increase and Strategic Deployment of Immigration Control Officers

Approximately 50 immigration control officers will be added, with concentrated deployment in Ibaraki Prefecture, where the highest number of illegal workers is found. Ibaraki Prefecture has thriving agriculture and manufacturing industries with many foreign workers. Deploying officers to this region aims to strengthen investigation and crackdown on illegal employment.

Significant Increase in Immigration Inspectors

Approximately 180 immigration inspectors will be added. The roles of inspectors are diverse, but the main purposes of this increase are as follows:

Strengthening Actual Situation Investigations
Through on-site investigations and interviews, inspectors will identify illegal employment situations that cannot be detected through document review alone. This makes it easier to discover cases where, while appearing fine on paper, resource-unauthorized activities are actually being conducted.

Expediting Residence Status Examinations
With the increase in foreign residents, residence status examinations have become overwhelmed. By increasing the number of inspectors, examinations for applicants who file proper applications are expected to be expedited, reducing waiting times.

Stricter Examinations
At the same time, examinations will be made stricter. Systems to detect false applications and fraudulent document submissions will be strengthened, enhancing the credibility of the residence status system.

For Foreign Residents: What to Check Immediately

Verify Your Residence Card Expiration Date

The most basic and important task is to check the period of stay written on the back of your residence card. If the expiration date is approaching, immediately begin preparing for renewal procedures.

Renewal Timing
Applications for period of stay renewal can be submitted starting three months before expiration. Waiting until the last minute risks the examination not being completed in time, resulting in expiration. We recommend applying 2-3 months in advance with plenty of time to spare.

Preparing Required Documents
Renewal applications require various documents depending on the residence status. Employment contracts, tax certificates, company financial statements, and other documents that take time to prepare may be needed. Check early and proceed with preparation.

Verify Consistency Between Residence Status and Actual Activities

Each residence status has a defined scope of permitted activities. For example, working as a restaurant floor staff member with a “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” status is generally not permitted.

Verify Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted
If engaging in activities outside the original residence status, such as part-time work, “Permission to Engage in Activity Other Than That Permitted under the Status of Residence Previously Granted” is required. This applies to cases such as international students working part-time within 28 hours per week. Engaging in activities outside the permitted status without permission can result in residence status revocation or renewal denial.

Notification of Address Change

If you move from the address listed on your residence card, you must report the address change to the municipal office within 14 days. Failure to do so becomes a residence management issue and is subject to penalties.

For Business Owners and HR Personnel: Strengthening Compliance Systems

Corporate Responsibility in Employing Foreign Nationals

Companies employing foreign nationals have legal responsibilities to conduct proper residence management. If employees are in illegal employment status, the company may also be charged with “promoting illegal employment.”

What is Promoting Illegal Employment?
If a company employs a foreign national knowing they are in illegal employment status, or if verification is neglected, penalties of up to three years imprisonment or a fine of up to 3 million yen may be imposed. “Not knowing” is no excuse; neglecting verification obligations is also subject to prosecution.

Points to Verify at Hiring

When hiring foreign nationals, be sure to verify the following:

Verify the Residence Card

  • Is the expiration date still valid?
  • Does the photo match the person?
  • Is the residence card number valid? (Can be verified on the Immigration Services Agency website)

Is the Residence Status Eligible for Employment?

  • Statuses such as “Student” and “Dependent” generally do not permit employment
  • If permission to engage in other activities is granted, employment is only permitted within the scope of permission (such as within 28 hours per week)
  • Statuses such as “Permanent Resident” and “Spouse or Child of Japanese National” have no employment restrictions

Consistency Between Job Duties and Residence Status

  • Work statuses such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” only permit specialized work based on education or work experience
  • Simple labor cannot be assigned

Ongoing Management After Hiring

Verification is necessary not only at the time of hiring but also on an ongoing basis after employment.

Managing Period of Stay Expiration
Manage employees’ period of stay expiration dates using lists or similar tools, notify them when renewal time approaches, and support renewal procedures.

Verify Residence Status Changes
When job duties change due to job changes or reassignments, verify whether the current residence status can accommodate this. Depending on the case, an application for residence status change may be necessary.

Notification to Hello Work
When employing a foreign national, and when they leave employment, notification to Hello Work (Public Employment Security Office) is mandatory. Failure to do so is subject to penalties.

Anticipated Actual Situation Investigations with Immigration Strengthening

With the increase in inspectors, actual situation investigations of companies are expected to be strengthened.

Anticipated Investigation Contents

  • Verification of actual job duties of foreign employees
  • Verification of actual salary payments
  • Verification of working hours
  • Verification of consistency between employment contracts and actual conditions

Preparation for Investigations

  • Properly maintain documents such as employment contracts, pay slips, and attendance records
  • Conduct regular interviews with foreign employees
  • Implement compliance training

Direction of New Immigration Policies

Establishment of Expert Councils

The government plans to establish new expert councils on immigration policy within the month. Here, more in-depth discussions will be held on topics such as numerical targets for the ratio of foreign residents.

This demonstrates Japan’s commitment to proceeding more strategically and systematically with the acceptance of foreign workers. In a society with a declining population, foreign workers have become essential to supporting the Japanese economy, and establishing the necessary acceptance systems has become urgent.

Initiatives Toward Realizing a Society of Harmonious Coexistence

Another expert council will discuss the design of systems for foreign nationals to learn Japanese culture and rules.

This is an extremely important perspective. Until now, Japan has not provided sufficient support for language education and cultural understanding in accepting foreign workers. As a result, many foreign nationals have been unable to adapt to Japanese society, becoming isolated or involved in troubles.

The new system is expected to provide opportunities to learn the Japanese language, as well as Japanese customs, labor practices, laws, and rules, before or shortly after arriving in Japan.

Balancing Crackdown and Coexistence

At first glance, this immigration strengthening appears to emphasize the harsh aspect of “strengthened crackdown.” However, underlying this are two goals: “orderly acceptance” and “realization of a society of harmonious coexistence.”

If illegal overstays and illegal employment are left unchecked, societal attitudes toward foreign nationals as a whole, including those residing properly, will become harsher. Conversely, by thoroughly implementing proper residence management, a foundation is established for foreign nationals to live in Japan with peace of mind and build society together with Japanese people.

Importance of Consulting Experts

Increasingly Complex Residence Status System

The residence status system is becoming more complex year by year. New residence statuses are being added, and requirements for existing statuses are being revised, making it difficult to understand correctly without specialized knowledge.

Benefits of Consulting Experts

Advice Tailored to Individual Situations
Residence status determinations vary greatly depending on individual circumstances. Experts can provide advice on the optimal residence status and procedures based on your specific situation.

Proper Preparation of Application Documents
Residence status applications require voluminous documentation. Moreover, it is important not only to gather documents but also to provide persuasive explanations to immigration inspectors. Experts support the creation of effective application documents.

Early Detection and Resolution of Problems
Problems related to residence status can often be resolved if detected and addressed early. However, if left unattended, they can become irreversible. By receiving regular expert checks, risks can be minimized.

Utilizing Experts for Corporations

When companies employ foreign nationals, we recommend contracting with an expert as an advisor.

Building a Compliance System
With expert advice, you can build a compliance system related to employing foreign nationals.

Pre-Hiring Consultation
Before hiring a foreign national, you can avoid risks by consulting an expert to verify whether the person’s residence status permits them to engage in the desired job duties.

Swift Response in Case of Trouble
In the event of an investigation or inquiry from immigration, you can respond appropriately with expert support.

Conclusion

The Immigration Services Agency’s significant increase in immigration control officers and immigration inspectors indicates that Japanese immigration policy has entered a new phase.

For foreign residents, while residence management will become stricter, there is also the benefit that examinations will be expedited if proper procedures are followed. Additionally, new systems aimed at realizing a society of harmonious coexistence are expected to make life in Japan more secure and enriching.

For companies, this is a good opportunity to review compliance systems for employing foreign nationals. By establishing proper management systems, you can confidently employ talented foreign workers and connect this to corporate growth.

“Not knowing” is no longer an acceptable excuse. By having correct knowledge of residence status, and conducting proper preparation and procedures, foreign residents can continue living in Japan with peace of mind, and companies can achieve sustainable growth.

If you have concerns or questions, consult an expert early. With appropriate support, even the complex residence status system can be navigated successfully.

Source Article: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/a70bc518cd77dd58f15da2540b2f3aaac87ba91c

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