Ibaraki Prefecture launched a controversial program to reward people for reporting businesses that hire undocumented foreign workers.

The program has sparked concern, with a local bar association and civic groups supporting foreign residents saying it will foster discrimination and social division. 11 rights organisations issued statement saying "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."