Japan authorities to boost cooperation against illegal foreign workers

Starting as early as October, agency officials will join land ministry inspections of demolition and construction sites.

The land ministry conducts regular patrols of demolition and construction sites.

However, its construction-related officials do not have the authority to verify the identities of foreign nationals, even when they are suspected of working illegally.

To address this issue, the Immigration Services Agency will send immigration control officers to participate in these patrols, as these officers have the authority to ask foreign residents to show their residence cards, which they are required to carry under the immigration control and refugee recognition law.

The agency also plans to collaborate with the Environment Ministry, which oversees outdoor storage yards for waste plastics and scrap metal.

As such storage yards are suspected to be hotbeds of illegal labor, the agency is preparing to conduct joint inspections with local governments that have related regulatory ordinances.

Illegal foreign workers are believed to be especially prevalent in the agricultural sector.

According to one local government, there are many job offers during the planting and harvesting seasons.

The agency plans to work with the agriculture ministry to step up efforts to raise awareness of the issue.

According to the agency, over 70 pct of foreigners subject to deportation and other procedures in 2025 were found to have worked illegally.

In May, the Justice Ministry released the Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan to step up crackdowns on employers facilitating illegal work by foreigners.