Japan Immigration News

(SoraNews24)Tokyo cops arrest foreigner for suspected visa violation, don’t know what new residence cards look like

Release Date: 2026-06-26
Media: SoraNews24
Summary: A Nepalese man in his 20s was mistakenly arrested by Tokyo police during a routine shokumu shitsumon (street questioning) in Shibuya after officers incorrectly concluded that his residence card was fake. Although the man presented a valid residence card issued only days earlier, the officers were unfamiliar with Japan’s newly introduced residence card design, which began being issued on June 14. Despite the man's explanation and the involvement of additional officers, he was taken into custody before a more knowledgeable officer later confirmed that the card was genuine. The man was released after about an hour, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police apologized for the mistake.

The incident has raised concerns about police training and the implementation of Japan’s new residence card system. Although the Tokyo Metropolitan Police had reportedly distributed information about the new card formats to precincts before their introduction, the officers involved had not recognized the updated design. Critics argue that the case highlights the potential risks of street identity checks, particularly for foreign residents, and underscores the need for better communication and training to prevent wrongful arrests based on officers’ lack of familiarity with official immigration documents.
Tags: Residence Card

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