18.6% of Foreign Workers Leave Japan Without Paying Resident Tax, Internal Affairs Ministry Survey Finds
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A survey conducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of local governments nationwide found that 18.6% of foreign nationals who had worked in Japan left the country without paying their FY2024 resident tax, it was learned from sources by August 14, 2026. According to Kyodo News and other outlets, the delinquency rate among all people who left Japan, including Japanese nationals, stood at just 4.6%, making the shortfall among foreign nationals stand out sharply.
Resident tax is collected starting in June based on the previous year's income, but awareness of this system is reportedly insufficient among those departing Japan, and there is no mechanism to forcibly collect the tax after someone has returned to their home country. Once someone leaves without paying, the tax can effectively become uncollectible. The survey was conducted after the issue was raised in the Diet last year, with the ministry surveying local governments nationwide and receiving responses from roughly 1,100 municipalities.
Current status: The ministry's specific policy response has not been detailed as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
Responses at the municipal level play a role in bridging the gap between national policy design and residents' lived experience. Whether a move like this spreads to other municipalities will be worth watching going forward. In particular, whether information-sharing between municipalities facing similar challenges leads to wider adoption of successful approaches may shape how effective this policy area becomes overall.