Japan immigration agency to work more with other ministries on illegal foreign labor

The Immigration Services Agency of Japan is looking to cooperate more closely with related ministries as part of its countermeasures against illegal foreign labor.

Starting as early as October, agency officials will accompany inspectors from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism on patrols of demolition and construction sites under the ministry’s jurisdiction.

The agency aims to gain an understanding of on-site conditions where unauthorized employment occurs and follow up with administrative guidance and law enforcement action. It is also considering working with the Environment Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

According to the agency, more than 70% of foreign nationals who faced deportation procedures last year were found to have worked illegally.

Given the situation, the Justice Ministry unveiled its plan aiming for “Zero Illegal Immigrants” in May, beefing up government crackdowns on businesses that facilitate illegal labor.

The transport ministry regularly patrols demolition and construction sites in coordination with local municipalities. Yet those local officials lack the legal power to verify the identity of foreign workers, even if unauthorized labor is suspected.

Under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, foreign residents are required to carry their residence cards at all times. Since immigration agency officers are authorized to demand the presentation of these cards, the agency aims to take swift and direct action by sending them with those patrols.

The agency also plans to coordinate with the Environment Ministry, which oversees outdoor storage facilities where waste plastics and scrap metals are kept.

Concerns have been raised that such storage facilities have become hotbeds for illegal work. The agency is currently coordinating to conduct joint on-site inspections alongside local municipalities that have established their own regulatory ordinances.

Agriculture is also seen as a sector with widespread illegal labor, where violations spike during the busy planting and harvesting seasons. In response, the immigration agency plans to work with the farm ministry to raise awareness of this issue.