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Japan Strengthens Measures Against Illegal Employment of Foreign Workers

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has announced a new plan to crack down on illegal employment involving foreign nationals. The move comes after officials found that more than 70% of undocumented foreign residents who faced deportation procedures last year had been working illegally.

According to government data, about 18,400 people underwent deportation or departure procedures in the past year. Of those, around 13,400 were found to have engaged in unauthorized work. Officials believe that reducing illegal employment requires not only catching workers but also holding employers accountable.

Under the new policy, authorities will increase investigations into businesses and individuals who knowingly hire people without legal permission to work. Police, prosecutors, and immigration officials are expected to cooperate more closely through joint operations and stricter enforcement.

One notable part of the policy concerns employers who are themselves foreign nationals. Immigration authorities say that if a foreign employer is found to have encouraged or allowed illegal employment, they may begin deportation procedures even if criminal charges are not filed or the employer is not convicted in court. This reflects the government’s view that facilitating illegal work can be grounds for removal under immigration law.

The government is also encouraging businesses to verify workers’ immigration status more carefully. Employers are being urged to use a residence card scanning application to confirm that potential employees have valid permission to work in Japan.

Another focus of the plan is the monitoring of so-called “improper yards,” where scrap metal, vehicles, or construction waste are stored without following regulations. Authorities believe some of these sites have become places where undocumented workers are employed illegally. Immigration officials plan to cooperate with environmental agencies to address these issues.

Overall, Japan’s new strategy aims to reduce illegal employment by strengthening enforcement against employers, improving verification systems, and promoting legal hiring practices. The government hopes these measures will create a fairer labor market while ensuring that immigration and employment laws are properly followed.

Living Together Does Not Always Mean Feeling Connected

Many people assume that living with family members automatically provides emotional support and protects against loneliness. However, a new study from the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology shows that this is not always true. Researchers found that people who experience “isolation within the home” often have worse mental health than those who live alone.

The study focused on adults aged 40 and older living in Wako City, Saitama Prefecture. Researchers surveyed 8,824 people in 2023, including both those living alone and those living with others. They defined “household isolation” as living with family members but spending less than 15 minutes a day talking with them and spending most of the time alone at home.

The results showed that about 4.7% of all participants, and 5.8% of those living with others, fell into this category. Household isolation was more common among older adults and men.

Researchers then examined how this situation affected mental well-being. Even after considering factors such as age, marital status, employment, health conditions, exercise habits, smoking, drinking, and community involvement, the connection between household isolation and poor mental health remained strong.

Compared with people who were not isolated at home, those experiencing household isolation were:
- 1.33 times more likely to report poor overall health.
- 1.48 times more likely to show signs of depression.
- 1.56 times more likely to report low levels of happiness and well-being.
- More likely to feel lonely.

Perhaps the most surprising finding was that people who were isolated within their households often had worse mental health than people who lived alone. Their levels of loneliness and emotional distress were higher, suggesting that simply having family members nearby is not enough. Meaningful communication and emotional connections are what truly matter.

The Growing Problem of Overdose Among Young People in Japan

Japan is becoming increasingly concerned about the rise of overdose (OD) cases among teenagers. Overdose refers to taking too much medicine, especially over-the-counter drugs such as cough and cold medicines, to experience temporary effects such as feeling relaxed or escaping emotional pain. Authorities say the problem is affecting younger children than ever before.

To address this issue, Japan revised its Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act in May. Under the new rules, people under 18 years old can only buy small quantities of certain medicines that contain ingredients commonly abused in overdoses. Drugstores must also keep these products out of easy reach and check the buyer’s age, identity, purpose of use, and purchase history.

In Osaka, police and drugstore staff recently held an awareness event to teach people how stores should respond when minors attempt to buy large amounts of medicine. Staff members practiced refusing sales and encouraging young people to seek help if they appeared troubled.

The need for these measures is clear. A 2024 survey of about 38,000 junior high school students found that 724 students, or 1.8%, had experienced an overdose within the previous year. Some teenagers told authorities they took excessive amounts of medicine when they felt emotionally distressed or overwhelmed by personal problems.

Health experts warn that overdoses can be extremely dangerous. Taking large amounts of medicine can damage internal organs, cause addiction, and in severe cases lead to heart failure, breathing problems, or death.

Police are also cracking down on people who illegally supply medicines to minors. In Osaka, a 40-year-old man known among local youths as a “drug seller” was arrested for allegedly providing sleeping pills and other medications to teenage girls. Thousands of pills were reportedly found in his home.

Experts believe that loneliness, anxiety, and social pressures are major reasons young people turn to overdoses. Authorities are encouraging children and teenagers to talk to family members, teachers, counselors, or other trusted adults instead of relying on drugs to cope with their problems. Preventing overdose, they say, requires not only stricter regulations but also stronger emotional support for young people.

Illegal Mosque Construction in Kawagoe Sparks Dispute with City Authorities

A controversy has emerged in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture, after a mosque was built in an area where construction is generally not allowed without government approval. The city government says the building violates Japan’s urban planning laws and is demanding its removal.

The mosque, which includes a distinctive onion-shaped dome, stands on a 4,500-square-meter piece of land classified as a “urbanization control area.” These areas are designated to limit development and protect land from uncontrolled construction. Any major building project in such zones requires official permission from the city.

According to city officials, the issue came to light in October 2024 when local residents reported that a large steel-frame building was being constructed. By the time inspectors arrived, most of the structure had already been completed. Because no permit had been issued, the city determined that the project violated the Urban Planning Act.

Investigating the case proved difficult. The previous landowner, a real estate company, stated that it had already sold the property and declined to reveal the buyer’s identity, citing privacy concerns. Workers at the site also could not identify who had ordered the construction.

In March 2025, ownership of the land was transferred to a company registered at the same address as the site. City officials later identified the company’s representative as the likely owner of the building and required the submission of a correction plan promising to remove the structure within five years.

However, in April 2025, an opening ceremony was reportedly held at the mosque, attracting many worshippers. This led to concerns from nearby residents, who questioned whether the facility was legal and whether proper explanations had been provided to the community.

The company representative stated that he did not know construction was prohibited when the land was purchased. Another individual associated with the site claimed that the building already existed before they acquired the property.

Kawagoe City maintains that the structure is an illegal building and says it will continue monitoring the situation. The case highlights the challenge of balancing religious freedom, property rights, and compliance with local planning regulations.

Why Customer Behavior Changed When a Convenience Store Clerk Wore a “Foreigner” Name Tag

A recent story from Japan highlighted an interesting social issue: customer behavior toward convenience store employees changed dramatically when a Japanese worker wore a name tag with a foreign-sounding name and pretended to be an international student.

The worker, who had experience working in more than 100 convenience stores as a temporary staff member, explained that customer harassment—known in Japan as “kasuhara” (customer harassment)—is a common problem in retail. Employees are sometimes shouted at, insulted, or blamed for small issues such as asking customers to repeat an order or requesting a cigarette number instead of a brand name.

However, when the worker wore a name tag belonging to a former foreign employee and spoke as if he were a foreign student, customer attitudes changed noticeably. Many customers stopped making excessive demands and became more patient. Complaints about small issues, such as waiting briefly at the register or receiving the wrong number of disposable utensils, almost disappeared.

The worker believed that some customers may expect Japanese employees to understand their needs without detailed explanations. When they think an employee is foreign, they may lower those expectations and communicate more clearly. As a result, interactions become simpler and more focused on standard procedures.

At the same time, the experiment revealed another problem. While most customers became more tolerant, a small number displayed discriminatory behavior. Some made rude comments about foreigners, while others demanded to speak with a Japanese employee instead.

Experts say that customer harassment is influenced not only by the personality of the customer but also by the relationship between the customer and the employee. This case suggests that people sometimes change their behavior based on assumptions about a worker’s nationality or background.

The story raises important questions about fairness, customer expectations, and workplace respect. It reminds us that all workers—whether Japanese or foreign—deserve to be treated with courtesy and dignity. As Japan becomes more diverse, creating a respectful environment for everyone will become increasingly important.

Should Japan Make It Easier for Foreigners to Become Citizens?

A discussion about immigration and citizenship recently took place in Japan’s House of Councillors Legal Affairs Committee. Atsushi Kondo, a professor at Meijo University and an expert on immigration policy, suggested that if Japanese people are worried about the growing number of foreigners in Japan, the government should make it easier for foreigners to obtain Japanese citizenship.

Kondo explained that many developed countries already follow this approach. For example, in Canada, many people are born overseas, but a large number later become Canadian citizens. Because of this, the percentage of “foreigners” remains lower than expected. He also mentioned Germany, which recently changed its nationality laws to allow dual citizenship more easily. According to Kondo, this trend is common among G7 countries.

Japan is currently facing serious problems caused by a declining population and aging society. Fewer babies are being born each year, and there are not enough workers to support the economy. Kondo said Japan needs several solutions, such as improving child-care policies, using robots and artificial intelligence (AI), and accepting more foreign workers.

He argued that foreigners who learn Japanese, understand Japanese culture and laws, and follow the rules should be encouraged to become part of Japanese society permanently through naturalization. To support this, he said Japan should strengthen Japanese-language education and programs that teach social rules and legal systems.

However, not everyone agreed. Politician Yuji Adachi questioned whether simply giving citizenship to more foreigners would truly solve Japan’s deeper population problems. He said some people are worried about major changes in Japan’s population structure and social unity.

In response, Kondo said that helping foreigners integrate into society is still an important step. He believes Japan should focus on raising people who can support the country’s future, regardless of where they were born, while also continuing efforts to support Japanese families and increase birth rates.

Japanese Travel to China Drops Sharply Amid Political Tensions

Travel between Japan and China has fallen dramatically, creating serious challenges for the tourism industry in both countries. According to travel agencies, the number of Japanese tourists visiting China has dropped by as much as 90% in some cases, mainly due to worsening relations between the two countries.

The decline began after comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November 2025 regarding a possible Taiwan-related crisis. Following these remarks, political tensions between Japan and China increased. Many Japanese travelers became concerned about safety, while the Chinese government encouraged people to avoid unnecessary travel to Japan.

Travel companies describe the situation as a “triple blow.” First, many flights between Japan and China have been canceled, reducing available seats. Second, interest in traveling to China among Japanese tourists has weakened. Third, rising fuel costs caused by instability in the Middle East have increased airline operating expenses, making travel more expensive.

In Shanghai, about half of Japanese group tours scheduled after November 2025 were canceled. Some tours were also disrupted by sudden flight cancellations. As a result, Japanese visitor numbers have fallen by around 70% compared to the previous year.

The impact has also been severe for people working in China’s tourism industry. Japanese-speaking tour guides, who depend heavily on Japanese visitors, are facing major income losses. In Xi’an, home to the famous Terracotta Army, one veteran guide said he had not guided a single Japanese tourist during the year. A planned Japanese high school educational trip was also canceled. In Beijing, another guide reported that his income had dropped by 90%.

Industry experts worry that the decline could have long-term effects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Japanese-speaking guides left the profession. If Japanese tourists do not return, there may not be enough trained guides to support future group tours.

Travel agencies believe recovery will be difficult unless political relations improve and more flights are restored. The situation shows how closely tourism is connected to international relations, transportation, and global economic conditions.

Japan Raises Permanent Residency Fees for Foreigners

Japan has passed a new immigration law that will greatly increase the fees foreigners must pay for visa and residency applications. The revised law was approved by Japan’s parliament with support from major political parties such as the Liberal Democratic Party, Komeito, Nippon Ishin, and the Democratic Party for the People.

Under the old system, the maximum fee for important immigration procedures was 10,000 yen. These procedures included changing a visa status, renewing a period of stay, and applying for permanent residency. However, the new law raises the maximum fees dramatically.

The fee cap for changing or renewing a visa can now go up to 100,000 yen, while the maximum fee for permanent residency can increase up to 300,000 yen, which is 30 times higher than before. The Japanese government is still deciding the exact amount people will actually pay, but current proposals suggest permanent residency fees may rise from 10,000 yen to as much as 200,000 yen.

The government says the extra money will help fund immigration-related policies and strengthen border management. However, opposition parties such as the Constitutional Democratic Party criticized the law, saying it could seriously affect refugees and low-income foreigners living in Japan.

The law also introduces a new electronic travel authorization system called “JESTA,” similar to the United States’ ESTA system. Travelers from visa-free countries will need to submit their information online before entering Japan. The government says this system will help stop “undesirable foreigners” from entering the country by checking travelers in advance.

Supporters believe the changes will improve immigration control and national security. Critics, however, worry that the higher costs could make life harder for honest foreign residents, workers, and families already living in Japan.

Supporting Foreign Mothers Giving Birth in Japan

As the number of foreigners living in Japan continues to grow, more foreign women are also experiencing pregnancy and childbirth in a country with a different language and culture. Many of them face anxiety because they do not fully understand Japan’s medical system or cannot speak Japanese well.

To help these mothers, a Japanese woman named Tomomi Tsubonoya and her NPO, Mother’s Tree Japan, provide support for foreign pregnant women. Their goal is to help mothers feel safe and confident while giving birth in Japan.

In Tokyo, the organization holds free classes where pregnant women and their families learn important things about childbirth in Japan. They practice Japanese phrases for talking to doctors and nurses, learn when to go to the hospital during labor, and study how to prepare for delivery and hospitalization. Interpreters translate the lessons into several languages, including Burmese, Nepali, and Indonesian.

Many women say medical terms in Japanese are difficult to understand, even if they can speak everyday Japanese. Others are surprised by Japan’s medical system, such as regular pregnancy checkups and staying in the hospital for about a week after giving birth.

Tsubonoya has supported more than 3,000 foreign mothers over the past five years. Her support includes hospital interpretation, helping families find hospitals, and even visiting homes to deliver baby supplies.

One Pakistani woman living in Japan struggled to find a hospital because she could not speak Japanese. She also felt lonely and stressed because she had no relatives nearby. With Tsubonoya’s support, she regained confidence and was finally able to prepare for childbirth peacefully.

Tsubonoya says her inspiration comes from seeing her own mother struggle while living abroad when she was young. She wants foreign mothers in Japan to feel supported, no matter their nationality.

This story shows the importance of kindness, cultural understanding, and community support in helping foreign families build a new life in Japan.

Foreign Nurses Become Essential in Japan’s Hospitals

Hospitals in Japan are facing a serious shortage of nurses, especially in smaller cities and rural areas. Because of this problem, many medical facilities are now hiring foreign healthcare workers to help support the healthcare system.

One example is Omuta Hoyoin Hospital in Fukuoka Prefecture. In one ward of the hospital, about one-third of the nursing staff are Indonesian workers. The hospital says it would be difficult to continue normal operations without them.

A 28-year-old Indonesian assistant nurse named Jihan Fahira works at the hospital caring for elderly patients with dementia. Her duties include helping patients eat, bathe, and manage their daily health needs. She also communicates warmly with patients, who enjoy learning simple Indonesian greetings from her.

Jihan came to Japan after studying nursing in Indonesia. She joined a special support program started by the Fukuoka Prefecture Medical Association in 2022. The program helps foreign students from countries such as Indonesia and Myanmar study Japanese, attend nursing school, and work in Japanese hospitals.

The city of Omuta especially needs healthcare workers because many young Japanese people move to larger cities like Fukuoka or Tokyo. As a result, local nursing schools have fewer students each year. Some programs are even closing due to low enrollment.

Hospitals are also learning how to support workers from different cultures and religions. Since many Indonesian nurses are Muslim, the hospital provides a prayer room where they can perform daily prayers. Food can also be challenging because Muslims cannot eat pork or consume alcohol, which are common in some Japanese dishes and seasonings.

This situation shows how Japan is becoming more dependent on foreign workers, especially in healthcare. While foreign nurses help solve labor shortages, hospitals must also create an environment that respects cultural and religious differences.