Thai Woman, 68, Arrested in Ibaraki for Subletting Housing to Illegal Residents; Suspected of Placing More Than 100
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.
Ibaraki Prefectural Police announced by October 1, 2026 that it had arrested an unemployed 68-year-old Thai woman living in Koga City, Ibaraki Prefecture, on suspicion of aiding illegal overstay under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act. According to the Ibaraki Shimbun's Cross Eye, the woman is suspected of subletting a 48-year-old detached house — which she rented from its Japanese owner for 60,000 yen a month — to two Thai nationals in illegal residency status for 70,000 yen a month, pocketing the difference.
Under questioning, the woman has reportedly admitted the allegation, saying she "told them where to live and acted as the intermediary." Police believe she introduced housing to more than 100 fellow Thai nationals living in Japan illegally and are investigating the scope of her activities as a broker. The two people who sublet from her have stated that they "received job introductions from the woman," and police are also investigating on suspicion of facilitating illegal employment.
Current status: The total number of housing placements she arranged, her total profits, where she referred people for work, and whether the case will be referred for prosecution remain unclear as of this writing. This article will be updated as further details emerge.
On brokering and intermediary cases involving people in illegal residency status, a case involving arranged sham marriages was also reported in June 2026. Related article
Editorial Perspective
No decision on indictment has been made at this stage, so this article reflects information from the investigative phase. An arrest is only one step in criminal procedure and does not establish guilt (the presumption of innocence). According to National Police Agency and Ministry of Justice statistics, the number of Penal Code cases involving foreign nationals visiting Japan has risen for two consecutive years since 2023, but remains below its mid-2000s peak (related article). A single case does not necessarily reflect the broader statistical trend; further developments are worth watching.