Japan’s Immigration Services Agency will urgently add more than 200 immigration officers to strengthen enforcement efforts. This unusual mid-fiscal-year decision aims to crack down on foreigners illegally overstaying nationwide. Consequently, the move also seeks to reinforce border security amid rising concerns about compliance.
Indeed, the government plans to formally announce this increase during a Cabinet ministers meeting this week. Officials will discuss broader policy regarding foreign resident acceptance and building an inclusive society. Meanwhile, overstayer numbers reached approximately 83,000 as of January 2020, official records show. Although the figure declined somewhat, it remained elevated at 68,000 as of this January. Therefore, officials warn that ignoring this issue could foster illegal employment and safety concerns.
Furthermore, the agency will increase immigration control officers by roughly 50 personnel specifically. These officers will primarily deploy to Ibaraki Prefecture, which hosts the largest illegal worker population. Additionally, immigration inspectors handling investigations will grow by approximately 180 officers under this plan. This expansion targets illegal employment cases that prove difficult to detect through documents alone. Moreover, the agency hopes to speed up residence status screening amid growing application volumes.
Beyond enforcement, the government plans to establish a new advisory panel by month’s end. This panel will include specialists focused on broader foreign resident acceptance policies nationwide. Discussions will address numerical targets, including the proportion of foreign residents within Japan’s population. Notably, the Japan Innovation Party has specifically requested such targets be considered carefully.
Separately, another specialist panel will design systems helping foreign residents learn local rules and culture. Ultimately, this expansion of immigration officers reflects Japan’s broader strategy toward stricter enforcement standards. Going forward, these combined measures signal a significant shift in Japan’s approach toward foreign resident policy.
