"茨城県「不法就労者」通報制度の創設に対する反対声明," 4 March 2026

"Unofficial Japanese-to-English translation by Business and Human Rights Centre"

Ibaraki Governor Kazuhiko Oigawa announced the creation of a reporting reward system aimed at addressing what he described as the issue of “one of the highest levels of illegal employment in the country” in the prefecture.

We strongly oppose the establishment of this system.

The act of “working” is extremely important both for individuals and for society. Labour is considered “illegal employment” only when a foreign national engages in work that they are not permitted to perform under the Immigration Control Act. Determining this requires checking documents such as residence cards. It is impossible for third parties to distinguish this based solely on outward appearance. As a result, reports would inevitably be made based on speculation, more plainly, on prejudice. Nevertheless, offering monetary rewards for such reports effectively means that the prefecture is encouraging people to inform on one another.

The reporting reward system that Ibaraki Prefecture seeks to introduce would amount to nothing less than a system of mutual surveillance in which people view each other with suspicion. It would unnecessarily foster distrust among residents and cause anxiety among foreign nationals and others connected to foreign countries.

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According to the prefecture, prefectural officials would investigate reports and notify the police only if “illegal employment” were confirmed. However, local government officials do not have the authority to conduct such investigations. Requiring prefectural employees, whose role is to provide services to residents, to engage in work that treats residents with suspicion would also undermine trust between the prefectural government and the public.

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If the prefecture wishes to prevent “illegal employment,” what it should do is understand the circumstances of both foreign nationals who feel compelled to work without formal work authorisation and employers who feel compelled to hire such workers, and work toward creating conditions in which people can work and be employed legally.

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We support Ibaraki Prefecture’s commitment to respecting diversity, and once again strongly call for the withdrawal of the proposed reporting system, which runs counter to that policy.

4 March 2026

Solidarity Network with Migrants Japan

Network for the Rights of Technical Intern Trainees

Liaison Group Calling for the Enactment of a Basic Act on the Human Rights of Foreign Nationals and Ethnic Minorities and an Anti-Racial Discrimination Law

National Christian Liaison Council for the Enactment of a Basic Law for Foreign Residents

Community Union National Network

Japan NGO Network for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

National Council for Occupational Safety and Health Centers

Small and Medium-Sized Trade Union Policy Network

Tsukuroi Tokyo Fund

Anti-Poverty Network

Peace Forum