Immigration Agency to Conduct Joint On-Site Inspections With Other Ministries, Starting With Demolition Contractors in October
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.
Justice Minister Hiroshi Hiraguchi said on September 11, 2026 that the Immigration Services Agency is making arrangements to carry out joint on-site inspections of businesses together with other ministries, as part of strengthened measures against the illegal employment of foreign nationals. According to Kyodo News and other outlets, the agency plans to work first with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, targeting building demolition contractors as early as October.
Until now, the Immigration Services Agency has conducted investigations when suspicion of illegal employment surfaced through tip-offs and similar channels. Going forward, agency staff will accompany the periodic on-site inspections that individual ministries already conduct in the industries they oversee. Because officials from the transport and environment ministries and from local governments have no authority to require presentation of residence cards, having immigration officers accompany them will make it possible to verify residence status and periods of stay on the spot. Cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment is also under consideration for "yards" where dismantled vehicle parts and similar materials are stored outdoors.
Current status: The planned number of joint inspections, the staffing arrangements, and how far the range of target industries will expand remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
On strengthening the agency's capacity, a cabinet decision in July 2026 approved adding 226 immigration officers. Related article
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.