Japan Immigration News

Legal Japanese work visa, illegal job

Release Date: 2026-02-16
Media: NHK
Summary: Over the past decade, the number of foreign workers in Japan has increased sharply, especially those holding the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa. The number of workers in this category more than tripled from about 137,000 in 2015 to roughly 458,000 by June 2025. However, cases of illegal employment and exploitation using this visa have recently come to light.

Support organizations report a surge in requests for help since late 2024, with many workers being forced to do unskilled labor outside the scope of their visas. Some have faced unpaid wages or sudden dismissal.

One example is a Vietnamese woman who came to Japan on this visa after paying over $7,000 to a broker. Although she believed the visa matched her job, she was assigned to hotel kitchen work, which is considered unskilled labor and not permitted under her status. An investigation revealed a transnational scheme in which a broker in Vietnam and a former employee of a Japanese staffing company used the company’s name without permission to obtain visas. Workers were brought to Japan without proper jobs and then sent to do unskilled work.

Experts say the problem stems from labor shortages, the overhaul of the technical intern program, and relatively loose oversight of this professional visa category, which can be obtained with a university degree and without strong Japanese skills. Brokers exploit these conditions by charging high fees and sending indebted workers into illegal employment.

The government plans to strengthen supervision of companies and crack down on violations. Without closing these loopholes, the system risks damaging Japan’s international credibility, making immigration reform urgent.
Tags: Illegal Work,Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services

News Articles including "Illegal Work,Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services"

Released on

Article Title