Union Rescues Six Myanmar Specified Skilled Workers From Hokkaido Farm Over Alleged Beatings With Metal Rod, Threats of Deportation
This article organizes publicly available information into a single account. Where it describes an arrest or an ongoing investigation, that reflects only one stage of criminal procedure and does not mean guilt has been established (the presumption of innocence applies). We will update this article as new information becomes available, including the outcome of prosecution, non-prosecution, or trial. This article is not intended to unfairly disparage any individual, group, nationality, ethnicity, or belief, and aims to provide objective, fact-based information.
The Sapporo Regional Labor Union announced in August 2026 that it had taken into protection six Myanmar nationals, ages 19 to 30, working as specified skilled workers at a farming corporation in Kyogoku, Hokkaido. According to STV Hokkaido News and other outlets, the six had come to Japan since May 2026 and had allegedly been subjected to routine abuse, including being repeatedly hit on the head and struck on the back with a metal rod by people connected to the farm, along with verbal abuse including threats of being "sent back to Myanmar."
The workers visited Kutchan Police Station on August 24 to file a criminal complaint alleging assault and battery. The union says it is still confirming an explanation from those connected to the farm.
Current status: Whether the complaint has been accepted, the farm operators' account of events, and the progress of any investigation remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
Editorial Perspective
The Technical Intern Training Program is set to be replaced by the new Employment for Skill Development system in April 2027 (related article), and developments like this one can be seen as part of the institutional design process during that transition. Expanding acceptance also requires resolving practical issues such as broker problems in sending countries and building proper oversight systems among accepting employers. For the new system to work as intended rather than merely on paper, it will be important to continue examining how it actually operates once implemented.