Japan’s Ibaraki to give cash rewards for reports on illegal employment

Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture will introduce a new reporting system on May 11 that offers cash rewards to individuals who provide information leading to investigations of businesses employing foreign workers illegally, local authorities announced.

Under the program, people whose reports result in a case being opened by police will be eligible to receive 10,000 yen ($62), Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The prefectural government said it will first verify all submitted information before referring cases to law enforcement.

According to officials, the initiative will focus specifically on workplaces suspected of hiring foreign nationals without proper authorization.

Reports must be submitted through the prefectural website and include personal details such as name, address, and phone number, along with identification documents like a driver’s license.

The prefecture, located northeast of Tokyo, said it will issue guidelines for the reporting system, including a requirement that reports should not be based solely on a person’s appearance or nationality.

As of 2024, Ibaraki reportedly had the highest number of undocumented foreign workers among Japan’s 47 prefectures, according to local government data cited in the announcement.

The policy has drawn criticism since it was first proposed in February. A local bar association and civic groups supporting foreign residents have expressed concern that the measure could encourage discrimination and deepen social divisions.

Prefectural officials maintain that the program is intended to improve compliance with labor and immigration regulations, while ensuring proper verification procedures are followed before any enforcement action is taken.

By Aghakazim Guliyev