In October 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police arrested four individuals, including the president of a foreign labor dispatch company, on suspicion of violating Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act (specifically, for promoting unauthorized employment). Among those arrested were executives from a linen supply company that had accepted foreign workers.
(1) The Problem at a Glance
・Indonesian nationals holding “Specified Skilled Worker” visas in the agricultural sector were illegally dispatched to work at a laundry factory.
・The factory supplied bedding and linens to hot spring inns and hospitals.
・Between 2022 and 2025, approximately 120 foreign workers were employed in unauthorized sectors, generating an estimated ¥70 million in profits.
・The dispatch company, registered as a support organization under the Specified Skilled Worker system, allegedly abused its position to collect fees while placing workers in non-permitted jobs.
Some of the suspects claimed they believed it was acceptable for workers to switch industries during off-seasons in agriculture. However, under the current system, permitted industries are strictly defined, and linen supply is not among them.
（２）What Is the Specified Skilled Worker Program?
Introduced in 2019, the Specified Skilled Worker (SSW) program allows foreign nationals to work in industries facing severe labor shortages. There are currently 16 designated sectors, including caregiving, agriculture, and construction. To qualify, applicants must pass both a skills test and a Japanese language proficiency exam.
Support organizations registered with the Immigration Services Agency are tasked with assisting SSW workers in securing housing, managing employment, and navigating daily life. Unlike the Technical Intern Training Program, which requires periodic inspections by third-party organizations, the SSW support system operates on a registration basis—making oversight more difficult and raising concerns about lax enforcement.
（３）What Happens to Foreign Nationals in Such Cases?
・In principle, engaging in activities outside the scope of one’s residence status (known as “unauthorized activities”) may constitute grounds for deportation under Japanese immigration law.
・However, if the individual was unaware of the system or simply followed instructions from their employer, there may be room for leniency. Deportation is not automatically enforced in every case.
・In most instances, the foreign national is not charged with the crime of “illegal employment,” but is instead subject to administrative penalties for violating the conditions of their residence status.
・Such cases often stem not only from the foreign worker’s lack of understanding, but also from inadequate explanations and poor management by support organizations or employers. Therefore, the following types of support are essential going forward.
・Clear explanations of the system in plain Japanese or the worker’s native language
・Translation of job descriptions and employment contracts before work begins
・Regular interviews and the establishment of accessible consultation services
（４）Challenges Ahead
This case highlights a serious loophole in the system and serves as a cautionary tale. To protect foreign workers and maintain the integrity of the program, Japan must strengthen oversight of registered support organizations and clarify the scope of permitted industries.
Although the government is reportedly considering adding linen supply to the list of eligible sectors, any illegal dispatches made before such changes must be dealt with firmly.
As someone aspiring to become a registered support organization myself, this incident reminds me of the importance of ethical conduct and strict compliance with immigration regulations.
